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Acromegaly

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Symptoms of Acromegaly

The name acromegaly comes from the Greek words for "extremities" and "enlargement" - reflecting one of its most common symptoms - the abnormal growth of the hands and feet. Swelling of the hands and feet is often an early feature, with patients noticing a change in ring or shoe size, particularly shoe width. Gradually, bone changes alter the patient's facial features: The brow and lower jaw protrude, the nasal bone enlarges, and the teeth space out.

Overgrowth of bone and cartilage often leads to arthritis. When tissue thickens, it may trap nerves, causing carpal tunnel syndrome, which results in numbness and weakness of the hands. Body organs, including the heart, may enlarge.

Other Symptoms of Acromegaly Include:

• 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 - breaks in breathing during sleep due to obstruction of the airway
• 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

References:
National Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Information Service
NIH Publication No. 07-3924
April 2007
www.endocrine.niddk.nih.gov/pubs/acro/acro.htm

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