acromelagy: What are the symptoms of... - Fibromyalgia Acti...

Fibromyalgia Action UK

59,855 members66,979 posts

acromelagy

anbuma profile image
5 Replies

What are the 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

[Top]

Written by
anbuma profile image
anbuma
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
5 Replies

Have you got any of these symptoms anbuma? X

anbuma profile image
anbuma in reply to

yes a few-obviously the nose and lip and have had swollen tongue .fatigue -tho that could be anything-CTS in left hand -disabling and beginning of symptoms of it In r hand.browbone is sore to touch and more prominent.hands and feet are swollen-feet wider at base of toes and fingers well swollen plus thickened skin on palms.

TheAuthor profile image
TheAuthor

Hi anbuma

I had not heard of this so I have had a good read on NHS Choices. Acromegaly is a condition in which the body produces too much growth hormone, leading to excess growth of body tissues over time. I have seen people on the TV with this in documentaries but I did not know what the name was? There was a Russian man in one programme who was over 7 feet tall yet all of his family were only 5 feet something?

Taken from NHS Choices

Acromegaly is caused by excessive production of growth hormone after the skeleton and organs have stopped growing. If it occurs before puberty, it leads to excessively tall height and is termed gigantism.

It is usually caused by a benign (non-cancerous) brain tumour, called an adenoma.

I have pasted the link for this below:

nhs.uk/Conditions/acromegal...

I must admit that it was a fascinating read, and apparently it is caused by a genetic change within a cell of the pituitary gland. This genetic change switches on a signal that tells cells in the pituitary gland to divide and secrete growth hormone.

Take care

Ken x

denvajade profile image
denvajade in reply to TheAuthor

interesting Ken.

TheAuthor profile image
TheAuthor in reply to denvajade

Thanks, I have been reading about it on quite a few websites, very intriguing?

Take care

Ken x

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

cannot do anything

my hands are so sore now I cannot hold anything ie cutlery without my hands stinging and being...

symptoms of or not

Hi I wonder if anyone here can help. I was diagnosed many years ago with fibro . hit by sudden...

UCTD or Fibromyalgia?

Sorry for the long post, For the last 3 yrs I have struggled with flares of intense pain and...

cant sleep

not sure what community to post this in. stayed up to watch a film and have spent the last hour and...

feeling concerned

have just woken up from afternoon sleep.sitting on sofa with my doglet Annie who is pawing me and...