{"id":9348,"date":"2019-08-18T09:49:43","date_gmt":"2019-08-18T09:49:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=9348"},"modified":"2021-06-21T19:36:04","modified_gmt":"2021-06-21T19:36:04","slug":"15-common-causes-of-acromegaly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/15-common-causes-of-acromegaly\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Common Causes of Acromegaly"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Acromegaly is a rare health condition that affects an estimated 6 out of every 100, 000 people every year. The condition is primarily caused by a type of benign growth attached to the pituitary gland, which usually causes an abnormal increase in the production of the body\u2019s growth hormones \u2013 and subsequently, increased growth in areas of the body such as the hands and feet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The condition can be diagnosed at any point during a person\u2019s life including at birth, but is most commonly spotted when in middle age; spontaneous growth and thickening of skin or bones are one of the first symptoms that will manifest with most cases of acromegaly \u2013 doctors also look for the presence of any adenomas (a type of tumor) that is usually found on or near the pituitary gland, but can sometimes be found in other parts of the body too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are 8 common causes of acromegaly explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. A Pituitary Adenoma<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

An adenoma <\/a>is a non-cancerous type of tumor that\u2019s usually caused by tissue that collects or clumps together and forms a lump; in the majority of cases, they aren\u2019t cancerous \u2013 but this doesn\u2019t mean that they can\u2019t present harm to the body. One of the most common causes for developing acromegaly is an adenoma either on or near the pituitary gland, which is the gland in the body which regulates the production of growth hormones.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you experience symptoms like headaches and blurred vision together with changes in appetite, weight gain or loss and overall growth, then it could be acromegaly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In cases where acromegaly is caused by an adenoma on the pituitary gland, it\u2019s recommended to have the tumor affecting the gland removed \u2013 even when it\u2019s not cancerous. Sometimes this can slow the progression of the disorder, and is generally a minor surgical procedure that can make a massive difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. Growth Hormone Overproduction<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Growth hormones<\/a> are produced by glands like the pituitary, and these are what inspires the body\u2019s growth \u2013 in short, growth hormones are what tells the body when to start and stop growing. In people who are diagnosed with cases of acromegaly, their growth hormones are produced in more quantities than the body can handle \u2013 and as a result, growth in certain parts of the body continues, which can cause symptoms like enlarged hands or feet, but also enlarged organs.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While growth hormone overproduction itself is a known cause for acromegaly, there are also certain other things that can cause the growth hormone to overproduce. Tumors directly on the pituitary gland are one of the most common causes for the overproduction of growth hormones, but these tumors (called adenomas) can also be found elsewhere in the body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The overproduction of growth hormones as well as imbalances in any others are usually easy to spot with a few simple tests\/.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. Adenomas Affecting Brain Tissue<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Adenomas, whether small ones or larger ones, are one of the leading causes for acromegaly and an increase of growth hormone production. They\u2019re most commonly found directly on the pituitary gland<\/a>, but this isn\u2019t the only place or part of the body where it can occur \u2013 and you can locate an adenoma anywhere in the body where there is soft tissue.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not all adenomas will cause acromegaly or an increased risk of growth hormone overproduction; for example, some adeomas can be found in breast tissue instead \u2013 and should always warrant a professional check-up to find out if they have the potential to be harmful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adenomas that affect brain tissue in any way, either by growing directly on the brain or near enough to it to increase the pressure that\u2019s felt, have the potential to trigger overproduction or growth hormones and acromegaly (or certain other health conditions that are related to hormones). <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. Slow-Growing Adenomas or Tumors<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Adenomas and tumors <\/a>can be either slow-growing or more fast-acting; sometimes they can be almost entirely harmless and not affect anything in your body for years \u2013 but other times, they have the potential to be dangerous from the start, or to switch to something cancerous when your body is exposed to the right factors to trigger an underlying medical condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This should point out why it\u2019s vital to make an appointment with a doctor for the proper scans the moment a condition such as adenomas is noticed. If you feel any lumps \u2013 or even if you don\u2019t and only experience strange, uncharacteristic symptoms for your health \u2013 see a doctor as soon as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s vital for adenomas to be tested and monitored for the best long-term health results. In some cases where they affect your health, a medical professional might recommend that the adenomas be removed as soon as possible instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. Swelling from Tumors<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tumors and adenomas will usually appear as small lumps which can be felt from the outside, and they may or may not be painful to the touch; there\u2019s no way to tell whether or not the lump you\u2019re feeling is cancerous or not \u2013 and if you notice anything that normally isn\u2019t there, or shouldn\u2019t be there but has been around for a while, see your doctor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even where it presents no danger to your health, it\u2019s always best to know rather than to take the risk or speculate. If you are aware of a health condition such as an adenoma, it\u2019s vital to see your doctor regularly, too \u2013 monitoring an adenoma is just as important as diagnosing it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes swelling<\/a> associated with adenomas and tumors can cause acromegaly by placing pressure on the body\u2019s organs that are in charge of producing the necessary growth hormones \u2013 which makes them produce more than the natural capacity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Adenomas Speaking to the Sinuses<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Adenomas are one of the leading causes for acromegaly \u2013 and you should consider yourself more at risk of adenomas if you have any family history of growths or cancers; this isn\u2019t necessarily true for acromegaly, which isn\u2019t considered to be a hereditary<\/a> health condition, but is instead usually developed later on in life.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An adenoma doesn\u2019t have to be located directly on the pituitary gland to do the damage \u2013 or to pose a risk of developing acromegaly. It can also be located in other parts of the body, including on the kidneys; there are also times where an adenoma could spread from one point to another \u2013 commonly parts like the sinuses \u2013 where it can also be a cause for acromegaly where it didn’t risk before. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once an adenoma has started to affect the sinuses, other symptoms experienced together with the usual symptoms are likely, including flu-like symptoms and a running nose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. Benign Tumors in or on the Lungs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tumors and cysts <\/a>can be found anywhere in the body, and they can cause acromegaly in a few different places instead of just directly pressing on the gland itself. Sometimes benign tumors that take root in the lungs can also cause acromegaly, and are also likely to cause a range of other different health issues that can include coughing blood in advanced cases.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have tumors (whether they\u2019re considered benign or not) in your lungs, then it might be something that you don\u2019t see until later symptoms start to show and you think to yourself that you should make an appointment with your doctor \u2013 but it could also usually have been spotted during a regular doctor\u2019s appointment, too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This should tell you why it\u2019s useful to see your doctor on a regular basis, and why you should never skip out on a doctor\u2019s appointment even when you think you\u2019re healthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Tumors on the Adrenal Glands<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tumors, adenomas, and cysts can be found present on any part of the body where tissue can attach to other tissue<\/a>, and they are likely to cause acromegaly in cases where they are either directly attached to a gland which causes the overproduction of hormones or attached closely enough to something where added pressure is placed on the glands.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The excess production of growth hormones associated with these tumors can cause a range of different health issues that includes more than just acromegaly. Tumors found on the adrenal glands can also aggravate acromegaly, or cause a range of issues that are related to the body\u2019s production and use of adrenaline. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Issues with the heart (such as an increased heart-rate) can also be present where tumors have attached to the adrenal glands, and present a danger whether or not acromegaly is present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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