How Do You Recognize Acromegaly?
Acromegaly is a rare disease usually affecting people in adulthood. It’s so uncommon, it is either not noticed for many years or is misdiagnosed. It can become a dangerous and sometimes deadly disease and it’s important to be treated promptly. A person with acromegaly dies on average ten years sooner than a healthy adult. Recognize symptoms early. The first signs of acromegaly are enlargement of hands and feet caused by unusual bone growth. The disease is brought on by over-secretion of a growth hormone produced in the pituitary gland. Fingers are thickened, as are the pads on your feet. Shoe size increases and often carpal tunnel disease sets in. Look for facial changes. Your jaw and brow begin to protrude and the tongue and lips begin to thicken. The voice deepens and may sound husky due to enlargement of your sinuses and vocal chords; this change may cause sleep apnea and snoring in some people. You’ll also notice gaps appearing between teeth as the jaw expands. Be aware of bodily c
