Acromegaly is an imbalance in the hormonal sequence that is normally the product of excessive growth hormones in the human body. This is evident from the origin of the name which is Greek for dilated or something existing in extremity. The condition is common in the pituitary glands of the brain which are mostly credited with control of the growth hormone (GH) and results in consequent strings of excessive growth often manifested in the elongation of the hands, feet and bulging of the soft tissue. Although symptoms are bound to emerge at any given age, Acromegaly has a prevalent record among adults who fall in the middle age group. The severity of the condition is quite a threat and demanding in that, if not treated on time can result in a string of other health complications. These include arthritis, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease and worst of all leads to death. The condition can be termed as manageable in a wide percentage of the patients with the only challenge being its sluggish emergence which eclipses the possibility of a perfect or early diagnosis should the condition occur (Hasnain, 2004). Symptoms most commonly associated with acromegaly may include; weakness, impotence for males, dilation and elongation of hands and limbs as shown in the above figure, and revealing facial features which may however portray themselves differently in separate individuals. Other symptoms include deepening of the voice, headaches, reduced libido and pains in the joints. Acromegaly causes trace back to a lengthened and multiplied release of the growth hormones from the pituitary glands where hormonal regulation for body activities like growth, metabolism and reproduction are controlled (Levy 2004). The ... ... middle of paper ... ...rs being removed. In conclusion it is believed that the prevalence of the disease is very low in humans at any given time with only 60 out of every million living with the disease. However, smaller strains are common affecting 16% of the population but they not exhibit symptoms nor multiply the production of GH. Works cited Muller A.F, Van Der Lely A.J. (2004). Pharmacological Therapy for Acromegaly: A Clinical Review. Drugs. Vol. 64(16):1817–1838. Levy A. (2004). Pituitary disease: Presentation, Diagnosis, and Management. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry. Vol. 75:47–52. Hasnain M. Khandwala. (Sep 13, 2010). Acromegaly. www.umm.edu/endocrin/acromegaly.htm Shlomo Melmed, (2006). Acromegaly. New England Journal of Medicine. Vol. 355:2558-2573 Holdaway I.M. (2004), Treatment of acromegaly. Hormone Research. Vol.62 (Suppl. 3): 79–92.
Cushing syndrome may affect anyone at any age. It develops when the body either produces too much of a certain hormone called cortisol or the patient might be receiving too much cortisol through corticosteroid hormone therapy. When a person receives too much cortisol, it’s diagnosed as hypercortisolism. This can lead to an interference in the production of other hormones from the other glands, not just the adrenal glands. If left untreated, Cushing syndrome may lead to Cushing’s disease. Many patients develop “moon face” or a “hump back”, along with many other symptoms, if this disease is left untreated for too long.
Hyperthyroidism develops when the thyroid gland produces too much of the hormone thyroxine. (“Hyperthyroidism”, n.d.). The main cause of hyperthyroidism is Graves’s disease. According to Porth 2011, “Graves disease is a state of hyperthyroidism, goiter, opthalmopathy or less common dermopathy… Graves disease is an autoimmune disorder characterized by abnormal stimulation of the thyroid gland by thyroid-stimulating antibodies.” (p.789). Some more causes include multi nodular goiter, adenoma of the thyroid and thyroiditis. (Porth, 2011, p.788). Some common symptoms of hyperthyroidism are tachycardia, sweating, increased sensitivity to heat, fatigue, and muscle weakness and enlarged thyroid gland.
ACHONDROPLASIA is known as being undersized, or less than 50in. in height. Having short limbs, a normal sized trunk, large head with a depressed nasal bridge and small face. This is a result of a disease in the thyroid gland. It can also be caused by Down syndrome or absorption, a cartilaginous tissue during the fetal stage. Hypochondroplasia, a mild form of dwarfism. Spinal tuberculosis and the deficiency of the pituitary gland secretions. Treatment with thyroxin or thyroid extract early in childhood results in normal growth and development. Somatrophin, also known as the human growth hormone is secreted by the anterior pituitary. Respiratory problems start to occur in infants. Symptoms of problems include snoring and sleeping with neck in a hyperextended condition. The limbs have rhizometic shortening. The legs are straight in infantry but when a child. He begins walking they develop a knock-knee position. When the child continues to walk legs begin to have a bowed-leg look. Occasionally, these curvatures are fixed. As the child continues to walk the kyphosis disappears and the back assumes a lordotic posture. If a delay in child’s walking occurs, the spine should be monitored closely for signs of gibbous formation. In infancy, hypercephalus can occur. Infants head circumference should be monitored close . Monthly checks of head circumference must be monitored. Radiologic studies are indicated if head circumference raises to disproportionately, or if symptoms of hydrocephalus. Child’s pediatrician should have a copy of head circumference curves for children with achondroplasia. Radiologic procedures for dwarfism include head ultrasound, C-T scan, or MRI of the head. If intervention is necessary, a ventriculoperitoneal shunt is placed relieving the pressure. Infants should also be monitored for foramen magnum compression. It is the opening at the base of the skull in which the brain stem and cervical spinal cord exit. When you have achondroplasia the foramen magnum is compressing the brain stem and spinal cord. Symptoms of narrowing include apnea the cessation of breathing and cervical myleopathy. C-T scans and MRI scans are done to examine the size of the infectious foramen magnum. A neurosurgical procedure called a foramen magnum decompression is executed to alarge foramen and alleviate further symptoms. Adolescents are at risk of getting lumbosacral spinal stenosis. The lumber spinal cord or nerve roots become compressed producing nerosurgical symptoms. Initial symptoms including weakness, tingling, and pain of the legs. Pain usually alleviated by assuming a squatting position.
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) is an inherited condition that affects hormone production in the adrenal gland. The individual lacks enzymes to make cortisol, and hormones are instead are shifted away to make other hormones, specifically androgens. This results in the deficiency of cortisol and the abundance of testosterone.
Melli G, Chaudhry V, Cornblath DR. Rhabdomyolysis: an evaluation of 475 hospitalized patients. Medicine (Baltimore). Nov 2005;84(6):377-85.
Graves’ disease is a thyroid disorder with an unknown cause, although there is an increased risk for those developing it if other family members have it. It is eight times more common in women than in men. It usually occurs in those who are over the age of 20, though children are sometimes affected. Graves’ disease affects more than 3 million people and there are approximately 60,000 new cases of Graves’ disease in the US each year. It accounts for 60% of hyperthyroidism cases. Graves’ disease has many possible symptoms which include fatigue, tremors, double vision, insomnia, anxiety, muscle weakness, unstable weight, nervousness or irritability, restlessness, anxiety, increased sweating, brittle hair and nails, heat intolerance, rapid and irregular heartbeat, freque...
Cushing syndrome occurs when your body is exposed to high levels of the hormone cortisol for a long time. The most common cause of Cushing syndrome, sometimes called hypercortisolism, is the use of oral corticosteroid medication. The condition can also occur when your body makes too much cortisol. This can be caused by a variety of tumors cancerous and not; Ectopic ACTH Syndrome, Pituitary Adenomas, and Adrenal Tumors. Too much cortisol can cause many body symptoms including: a fatty hump between your shoulders, a rounded face, and pink or purple stretch marks on your skin. Other causes not seen on the body are: high blood pressure, bone loss and, on occasion, diabetes.
Arthritis affects people of all age groups. More than 100 types of arthritis are known. Among these osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis having the highest incidence. One of the major causes of chronic debilitation in industrialized nations is Osteoarthritis which results from damage to the joints, which may be due to trauma, infection, or age-related wear. Rheumatoid arthritis is encountered less frequently than osteoarthritis and is estimated to affect around one per cent of the world’s population. Amongst patients of Rheumatoid arthritis, women are three times more likely to be affected by this condition than men. This condition is caused by an inflammatory process where the body starts attacking itself. Rheumatoid arthritis also affects several joints, with inflammation sometimes seen in and around the lungs, the heart, the eyes and the skin. The most commonly reported complaint by arthritis patients is pain. The pain might be from the joint itself and be a result of inflammation, damage from the disease, or through daily wear and tear. Muscle pain is also common and is caused by having to force movements against stiff and painful joints. Although range of movement in the affected joint may be limited and uncomfortable, physical exercise has been shown to benefit those with arthritis. Physical therapy has been shown to significantly improve function, decrease pain in the long term and delay the need for surgery in advanced cases. The majority of arthritis cases occur among theelderly, however the disease can occur in children as well. Over 70% of the population that get affected by arthritis in North America are over the age of 65 (4). The disease occurs more commonly in females than males in all races, age groups, and ethn...
Zimmerma, D., Uramoto, G. (n.d.). Diabetes insipidus in pediatrics. In A. W. Meikle (Ed.), Hormone replacement therapy (pp. 3-18). New Jersey: Humana Press Inc.
Diabetes Insipidus is the less known form of diabetes. It is often accompanied by excess urine outflow, intake of fluid, and an increased thirst. Bedwetting due to lack of control and frequency, and an unusual concentration of urine is included. There are four types of DI, and each are completely different in treatment and causes. Most commonly, the cause is the lack of vasopressin, which concentrates urine to reduce its output. It is called pituitary DI because it is usually caused by the destruction of the back of the pituitary gland. It cannot be cured, but drugs can help with symptoms. Gestational DI is caused by pregnancy and usually disappears a few weeks after delivery. The placenta uses the vasopressin too fast and causes it. The symptoms are repressed the same way as pituitary DI. The third type of DI is caused by the kidneys inability to respond to the effects of vasopressin, called nephrogenic DI. It is resulted from drugs against kidney diseases, and could (or could not) be cured only by eliminating the drug or disease. Drugs can be prescribed to alleviate some of the symptoms. The fourth, primary polydipsia, is caused by excessive intake of fluids and has two subcategories. Dipsogenic DI is most common and usually associated with an abnormality in the brain that regulates thirst. Psychogenic polydipsia is caused by psychosomatic issues. Neither one can be completely treated.
Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease that has direct involvement with the immune system. This disease is considered to be degenerative and currently the only thing that can be done is manage the painful symptoms and suppress the self targeting actions by using immune suppressing drugs. The cause of rheumatoid arthritis is mostly unknown but there is a high amount of evidence that there are genetic predispositions for the disease. This being said however there are also environmental factors to asses these include, bacteria, viruses, fungi and other environmental factors. Doctors primarily use a physical examination to first suspect R.A. then send for blood work to confirm. There are many aspects to this disease and many questions left unanswered, the treatments available now are only temporarily and can in some cases cause more problems than benefits. Lab experiments and clinical trials are currently showing some great results and could within our lifetimes cure many autoimmune diseases including R.A..
There are several different causes for Cushing’s syndrome. Most cases are iatrogenic in nature, meaning they are induced in patients undergoing steroid therapy. Fewer cases are endogenous, in which the body itself produces more cortisol than is needed usually due to a tumor. The two most common sites for tumors are the pituitary gland and the adrenal cortex. “Tumours that develop inside the pituitary or adrenal gland are usually non-cancerous. Other than the symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome, they don't usually pose a serious threat to health.” (nhsuk). Sometimes, a tumor forms inside the lung and produces the ACTH hormone. “It is concluded that certain tumors autonomously elaborate an ACTH-like substance that stimulates the adrenal glands to secrete large quantities of corticosteroids …” (Clifton, 1962). Further, “Occasionally, tumours developed from tissues considered as non endocrine may express a given hormone gene and some even secrete large amounts of biologicall...
The purpose of this paper is to analyze, diagnose, and to determine a proper treatment plan to work toward the beneficial prognosis for the individual indicated within the case study.
Among these disorders are hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Hypothyroidism is a disorder in which one is diagnosed for having and underactive thyroid. The probability for women over the age of sixty to develop an underactive thyroid is higher than those of other individuals. If left untreated it can potentially lead to obesity, joint pain, heart disease, and other health complications. On the contrary, hyperthyroidism is a disorder in which a person is diagnosed for having an overactive thyroid. This can cause nervousness and anxiety, hyperactivity, unexplained weight loss, and swelling of the thyroid gland which causes a noticeable lump to form on throat (known as a
A great number of patients who suffer from this disease have a disturbance in the proper ratio of androgen and estrogen levels. The normal ratio of the two hormones in plasma is approximately 100:1. "The etiology of gynecomastia in patients with a known documented cause appears to be related to increased estrogen stimulation, decreased testosterone levels, or some alteration of the estrogens and androgen so that the androgen-estrogen ratio is decreased"(Williams 373). From this information it was discovered that there is also a lower ratio of weaker adrenal androgens (delta 4-androstenedione and dehydroepiandrosterone) found in youths with this disease. It was once believed that there was an imbalance in the ratios of testosterone to estrogen or estradiol, but this is now know to be untrue.