ACROMEGALY

A syndrome that results when the anterior pituitary gland produces excess growth hormone (GH) after epiphyseal plate closure at puberty. Most commonly affects adults in middle age. Is is aften also associated with gigantism. It affects extremities like the hands and face. the bones become deformed rather than elongated. In fact the term 'acromegaly' literally means 'enlarged extremities.'

GIGANTISM
Also known as giantism,is a condition characterized by excessive growth and height significantly above average. It is caused by over-production of growth hormone in childhood before the long bone epiphyses closes resulting in persons between 7 feet (2.13 m) and 9 feet (2.74 m) in height. people with gigantism tend to have proportioned features like hands and feet. The long bones grow enormously. A person grows to unusually great stature, and the arms and legs lengthen. Signs and symptoms: delayed puberty, genitals may not develop fully. double vision or poor peripheral vision, headaches weakness increased sweating irregular menses for girls features that result from high level of GH

Signs and symptoms: headaches, excessive sweating, and weakness can also occur along with hypertension, hoarseness, and joint pain Features that result from high level of GH or expanding tumor include:

Soft tissue swelling visibly resulting in enlargement of the hands, feet, nose, lips and ears, and a general thickening of the skin. Soft tissue swelling of internal organs, notably the heart with attendant weakening of its muscularity, and the kidneys, also the vocal cords resulting in a characteristic thick, deep voice and slowing of speech Generalized expansion of the skull at the fontanelle Pronounced brow protrusion, often with ocular distension Pronounced lower jaw protrusion with attendant macroglossia (enlargement of the tongue) and teeth gapping Hypertrichosis, hyperpigmentation, and hyperhidrosis may occur in these patients.[2]:499 Acrochordon (skin tags) Carpal tunnel syndrome

Sometimes a person feels disturbing sensations and weakness in the arms and legs as enlarging tissues compress the nerves. Nerves that carry messages from the eyes to the brain may also be compressed, causing loss of vision, particularly in the outer visual fields. The pressure on the brain may also cause severe headaches.Nearly all women with acromegaly have irregular menstrual cycles. Some women produce breast milk even though they are not breastfeeding (galactorrhea) because of either too much growth hormone or a related increase in prolactin. About one third of men who have acromegaly develop erectile dysfunction. There is also an increased likelihood of developing diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure (hypertension), heart failure, sleep apnea, and certain tumors, particularly affecting the large intestine, which may become cancerous. Life expectancy is reduced in people with untreated acromegaly.