{"id":9330,"date":"2019-08-17T12:29:51","date_gmt":"2019-08-17T12:29:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=9330"},"modified":"2021-06-21T19:30:54","modified_gmt":"2021-06-21T19:30:54","slug":"14-frequent-signs-of-acromegaly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/14-frequent-signs-of-acromegaly\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Frequent Signs of Acromegaly"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Acromegaly is a health condition that\u2019s most frequently caused by the overproduction of growth hormones, and it comes with a range of symptoms associated with it including typical enlargement of the jaw, hands, feet and more prominent facial features due to the disorder. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s far more than just the condition many public figures, actors and wrestlers have made famous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes the condition can be treated with the removal of the tumors placing pressure on the glands that produce the growth hormones \u2013 but before a condition can be either managed or treated, it first has to be properly diagnosed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s the difference between a sign and a symptom? A symptom is personally experienced by the patient, while signs can be seen from the outside \u2013 and are very important to look out for. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are 8 frequent signs of acromegaly that can occur in the approximately 6 in every 100, 000 cases diagnosed every year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Enlargement of the Hands and Feet<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Enlargement of the hands and feet is one of the most characteristic symptoms of acromegaly<\/a>, and it\u2019s usually one that starts to happen gradually and then increases as the condition becomes more progressed over time; for example, Andre the Giant \u2013 wrestler and famous acromegaly sufferer \u2013 was known for his incredible size and reach, and the same is true for many public figures with the condition (and of course, regular people, too).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This sign of acromegaly can sometimes be associated with pain in the hands, an increased likelihood of experiencing joint pain or in most cases moderate to severe arthritis throughout life. Of course, this needs to be treated as a separate symptom to obtain relief, but is usually done with the use of anti-inflammatory medication and the reduction of stress sustained to the hands. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enlargement of the feet can also mean that acromegaly sufferers have trouble finding shoes, and need to have them custom-made. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Enlargement of the Skull<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Acromegaly is a condition that\u2019s known to cause enlargement of many parts of the body, almost in the same way as gigantism \u2013 but the cause and some of the symptoms set acromegaly apart. While gigantism might be a genetic condition in many cases, acromegaly is instead due to the overproduction of growth hormones in the body, usually caused by a pituitary gland tumor<\/a> that causes this overproduction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An enlarged skull is one sign that can be associated with acromegaly, and can sometimes become problematic when it starts to cause headaches or pain; any changes in condition for anyone who has already been diagnosed with acromegaly should be reported to a medical professional as soon as possible for the condition to be managed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enlargement of the skull also means that a lot more care should be taken when it comes to accidental knocks and falls: They can pose a lot more danger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. A Larger Lower Jaw<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The bodily enlargement that\u2019s associated with acromegaly is one of the most obvious signs and usually one of the first things that a doctor will notice before they order official tests for the condition. This sign of acromegaly isn\u2019t considered dangerous but can cause a range of complications when combined with some of the symptoms or related conditions like arthritis which can cause additional pain and discomfort in the jaw that can get worse with time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes the enlarged lower jaw that\u2019s associated with acromegaly combined with exaggeration of the facial features can cause issues with speech, and might sometimes require a few consultations with a speech therapist<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the jaw starts to increase in size, it can be a precursor of acromegaly developing: If you notice this in yourself, you should see your doctor as soon as possible, even if you don\u2019t see any of the other symptoms mentioned in this article yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Thicker Skin<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The overproduction of growth hormones in the body caused by acromegaly can cause thickening of the skin, and this can cause a range of different skin problems throughout life. Issues with the skin as a result of thickening can include dry and cracked skin, though it might also include the appearance of skin tags, which can become a chronic problem and might need to be surgically removed every time they appear. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An increased cancer <\/a>risk in cases of acromegaly can also mean that acromegaly patients should take more care when exposed to direct sunlight \u2013 and should take overall good care of their skin and see their doctor whenever they notice any changes in what their health is currently doing.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s also important to remember that thicker skin doesn\u2019t mean a decreased likelihood to bruise or injure, and a lot of care should be taken here: Bones and skin can become weaker. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Prominent Facial Features<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Prominent and very pronounced facial features are one of the most characteristic symptoms of acromegaly, and one of the first ones that people imagine when they think of famous people diagnosed with acromegaly, such as professional wrestlers Andre the Giant and the Great Kali. This makes it one of the first signs that a medical professional can notice when acromegaly is suspected. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It can affect most of the face, including the ears, nose, lips, and tongue \u2013 but might also affect other parts of the body including the internal organs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This isn\u2019t one of the dangerous symptoms or signs, but it can lead to other complications that can be dangerous, such as sleep apnea<\/a>, issues with speech and an enlarged tongue.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prominent facial features can also become more pronounced over time as the condition progresses, which is why seeing a doctor about the future of the medical condition is always essential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Eyebrows<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The increased levels of growth that\u2019s associated with acromegaly generally affects more than just the facial features and soft tissue of the body; it can also affect the bones and skeletal structure \u2013 and this should be carefully monitored over time due to the fact that it can progress and get worse and lead to more pain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In many cases of acromegaly<\/a>, the skull becomes enlarged \u2013 and the facial features more pronounced \u2013 but this can also extend to the brow ridges, which can also become more pronounced and then increase over time as the condition progresses.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Again, this usually isn\u2019t dangerous when it happens on its own \u2013 but can be dangerous when it has progressed far enough to affect other parts of the body or trigger any of the conditions which can be associated with acromegaly and bone deformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is also an increased risk of developing cancer in acromegaly cases which warrants regular check-ups. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Deepening of the Voice<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Deepening of the voice is one of the most obvious symptoms and signs of acromegaly there are, and it\u2019s one of the symptoms that people think of first when they imagine someone with acromegaly. The deepening of the voice sees the voice go far deeper than would be expected during puberty, and the \u201cvoice drop\u201d that\u2019s associated with acromegaly can happen later in life \u2013 such as in middle age \u2013 when the growth hormones <\/a>start to overproduce.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The deepening of the voice doesn\u2019t generally cause any other physical issues or dangerous consequences, but it can be very uncomfortable to deal with \u2013 and often makes people who have acromegaly feel especially self-conscious about their voice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This symptom can sometimes be treated in the early-onset parts of the condition: Regular doctor\u2019s appointments are crucial to maintaining a healthy standard for as long as possible. Sometimes, in very rare cases, adenomas (tumors) might be found attaching to the vocal cords \u2013 scans and possible removal are necessary here. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Bone Deformation<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The overproduction of growth hormones in the body due to acromegaly can affect almost every part of the body and cause it to grow larger over time \u2013 and this can include the bones and skeletal structure. This can be very dangerous in most cases of acromegaly because of the added pressure that it places on the joints and body, and because of the fact that the bones are not necessarily stronger because they are bigger. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bone deformation can lead to bone pain, associated conditions such as arthritis <\/a>and an increased likelihood of breaks and fractures. Care should always be taken, and regular doctor\u2019s appointments with scans and x-rays are necessary in order to establish how the condition is progressing and how it\u2019s affected the bones so far.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes the use of methods like bracing can help to reduce the level of pain that\u2019s associated with the condition, and some anti-inflammatory medications can reduce the discomfort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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