Acromegaly Research Paper

Gigantism is abnormally large growth during childhood caused by excess growth hormone secreted by the anterior pituitary gland.

Another test that one can perform to measure the effect of an adrenal tumor is performing an ACTH test, which measures the level of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in the blood. ACTH is a hormone that is produced from the pituitary gland in the brain. Thus by performing the test one can get information about its concentration in the serum. Usually if adrenal mass is influencing the corticosteroid levels the test will show a higher level of cortisol while giving a lower level of ACTH levels.

It is important to distinguish between Cushing disease and Cushing syndrome. While both are based on high levels of cortisol circulating in the body, Cushing disease is specifically caused by a generally benign tumor of the pituitary gland which secretes excess levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), leading to overproduction of cortisol in the adrenal glands. Cushing syndrome, on the other hand, refers to the symptoms caused by elevated levels of cortisol in the body due to any cause, and is also called hypercortisolism or hyperadrenocorticism. In addition to the Cushing disease promoting pituitary tumor, a number of additional circumstances may lead to the development of Cushing Syndrome. Elevated levels of cortisol often are a result of a prolonged use of corticosteroids, which may be prescribed for the treatment of allergies, asthma, or autoimmune diseases. However, elevated cortisol levels may also occur with cancerous or benign tumors of the ACTH-producing lungs, pancreas, or thyroid stimulating an excess production of cortisol. Cushing syndrome is fairly rare, affecting 10 -15

This is defined as Cushing’s Disease. High levels of ACTH cause adrenal hyperplasia, which stimulates production of cortisol. This can also result from tumors in the adrenal glands, or in some cases tumors elsewhere in the body may produce ACTH. However, the most common cause of Cushing’s syndrome is by far prolonged use of glucocorticoids such as prednisone to treat chronic inflammatory disorders. (Williams, L., & Hopper, P., 2015)

(Medscape) All ages can be affected but those between twenty and fifty are the most commonly affected. (Mayo Clinic) These rare tumors can either secrete hormones continuously or just sometimes. They primarily occur with “certain familial syndromes”. (Medscape) These autosomal dominant syndromes include two types of “multiple endocrine neoplasia, von Hippel-Lindau disease, and Von Recklinghausen disease”. (Medscape) Norepinephrine is the predominant catecholamine released. (Medscape) The increased blood pressure and cardiac contractibility is directly caused by alpha-adrenergic receptor stimulation, whereas the increased heart rate is caused by beta-adrenergic receptor stimulation (Medscape) The release of catecholamine’s is not caused be neural stimulation in these tumors and it has been stated that is it unknown what triggers the release. (Medscape) The tumors are encapsulated, vascularized and appear reddish brown. Figure 1 is an image of a pheochromocytoma tumor.

In adults, a tumor is the most common cause of too much GH production: Pituitary tumors. Most cases of acromegaly are caused by a noncancerous tumor of the pituitary gland. Secretion of excessive amounts of growth hormone causes the signs and symptoms of acromegaly. Symptoms such as headaches and impaired vision are resultant of the tumor mass pressing on nearby brain tissues.

Find Your People by Jennie Allen, is a book that represents the true reflections of God’s heart for us to experience authentic, vulnerable, and meaningful relationships. Through Jennie’s wisdom and practical advice, she shares how to overcome the common barriers that keep us from finding our people and pushes us to fight to replace loneliness with community. Allen starts by addressing the epidemic of loneliness and the various societal changes that have contributed to this sense of isolation. Despite being more connected than ever through technology, she argues that many of us lack the deep, fulfilling relationships we need. The book is structured to not only highlight the problem, but also to offer a solution.

The anterior pituitary produces at least six different hormones. Each one is produced in response to a specific hypothalamic-releasing hormone.

The difference lies in that acromegaly affects adults whereas gigantism primarily affects children. Both conditions arise from complications on the pituitary so they possess shared symptoms. Some symptoms associated with Gigantism are problems with menstruation, thickening of the skin on the palms and feet, fatigue, repeated headaches, slight vision loss, oily skin, acne, deepening of the voice, aches in joints or articulations, excess sweating, and carpal tunnel syndrome (Lahore, 2015). Weakness and deafness are also symptoms exclusive to gigantism. There are notable changes in facial features, which include enlarged forehead and a pronounced under bite. Distal fingers and toes are widened creating “paddle” toes. Arthritis, or pain in the joints, is also common. The elongated limbs place a lot of stress on the articulations involved. MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging is used to scan the size and location of the child’s tumor on the pituitary. Additionally, several blood tests can provide a diagnosis. Above average levels of the hormone prolactin or the insulin-growth factor-1 can point to gigantism (Wisse,

Is the act of suffering an unavoidable circumstance? Can people ever truly find relief from the struggles they face? On some level, we can all relate to the feelings of pain and hopelessness in our lives. We often bottle these feelings up, creating a strain within ourselves and the people around us. In the short story, Sonny’s Blues by James Baldwin we are introduced to an unnamed narrator who has dedicated himself to living an orderly life, sheltered from the violence and suffering of the world around him. This led him to disconnect to his brother Sonny, who didn't choose the same traditional pathway as he did. Through the eyes of this unnamed narrator, Baldwin deals with the theme of suffering .

Seventy percent of the earth’s surface is unknown to its inhabitants; if there is a 70% chance of winning the lottery, would you buy a ticket? I bet you would. Understanding Mars surface came easy compared to our knowledge of the ocean, The Mariana’s Trench is almost seven miles deep, the moon almost a quarter million miles from earth where more men have explored.

Aconitase is one of the enzymes vital for the human. This enzyme is classified under the group of lyases. To be more specific, it functions as the hydro-lyases, breaking down the bond linking the carbon and oxygen through the dehydration. (NCBI, 1963) It also can perform the hydration under certain circumstances. Thus, aconitase is also known as citrate hydro-lyase and aconitate hydratase. (Kremer, 2013)

As per the Mayo Clinic the symptoms that the patient encountered is related to a pituitary adenoma, due to the tumor pressure (www.mayoclinic.org). The visual disturbances and headaches indicate an increase growth, which causes pressure to the surrounding area. The weight gain and increase in shoe size is caused by an increase production in growth hormone. Excess production in growth hormone can cause enlarged hands and feet.

Acromegaly was derived from the Greek words "akros," meaning extremities, and "megas," which means big (Dictionary, 2004). It is a hormonal disorder that develops when the pituitary gland produces too much growth hormone after adolescence. Due to the elevated hormone levels, bones increase in size, including the hands, feet and face (Dictionary, 2004). Acromegaly usually affects middle-aged adults, the average age being around forty. It plagues men and women equally (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney, 2008).

ACTH-independent Cushings Syndrome typically originates from abnormalities of the adrenal gland. Adrenal adenoma and adrenal carcinoma occur when there is a benign or cancerous tumor on the adrenal gland. These tumors can cause over production of cortisol, disrupting homeostasis. Other diseases like Carney complex and McCune Albright syndrome have also been associated with abnormalities of the adrenal gland, causing overproduction of cortisol. A final form of cushings syndrome is exogenous glucocorticoid administration.