Acromegaly

toc Acromegaly By: Ian and Mark

= Basic Info: =

[|Acromegaly] is mostly diagnosed in middle-aged adults. It isn't just adults though, it can happen to anyone of any age. In fact if it is diagnosed as a child it is diagnosed as giantism instead of acromegaly. This serious illness can result in serious illnesses and premature death. It is treatable in most patients that have it, but because of its slow onset, if it isn't diagnosed early enough or even correctly death can occur. Types of health consequences would be the following; [|type 2 diabetes], [|high blood pressure], increased risk of [|cardiovascular disease], and [|arthritis].

Symptoms of Acromegaly:
 * joint aches
 * thick, coarse, oily skin
 * skin tags
 * enlarged lips, nose, and tongue
 * deepening of the voice due to enlarged sinuses and [|vocal cords]
 * [|sleep apnea]
 * excessive sweating and skin odor
 * fatigue and weakness
 * headaches
 * impaired vision
 * abnormalities of the [|menstrual cycle] and sometimes breast discharge in women
 * [|erectile dysfunction] in men
 * decreased [|libido]

= Acromegaly on a Molecular Level: = Acromegaly Disease is a[| syndrome] that affects the [|pituitary gland]. It causes this gland to create an excess amount of [|growth hormone]. With the pituitary gland creating such a great amount of growth [|hormone] can create a tumor called [|pituitary adenoma]. In most cases it is not noticed until middle age where the effects start to be seen. This [|disease] may seem like its only result is major increase in growth, but [|deformations]of bone growth and premature death if not noticed early enough.

In a child the disease is diagnosed as [|giantism]. A childs height is measured by the length of the [|long bones] in the legs. In response to the growth hormone, the bones grow in length at the [|growth plates]. The growth plates fuse after [|puberty], so the excessive growth hormone creation in adults does not result in increase height. Prolonged exposure to the growth hormone before the growth plates have fused together cause increased growth of the long bones, thus increasing the height

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=**__Works Cited__**=

"Acromegaly". Wikipedia. 3-09-10 . "Acromegaly". Edocrine and Metabolic Diseases Home. 3-09-10 . "Piture of Acromegaly". 3-10-10 . "Picture of Acromegaly". 3-10-10 .