How Do You Treat Acromegaly?
Acromegaly is an extremely rare disease; only three to four people out of 1 million are diagnosed with it. This disease is often life threatening due to its nature, the accompanying health risks and the side effects of the medications. The most common cause is a tumor in the pituitary gland, although the tumors are sometimes located in the lungs and pelvis. See your doctor immediately if you believe you may have symptoms of acromegaly. The first aspect noticed is an enlargement of your hands and feet. Because of the irreversible nature of the disease, early treatment is important. The diagnosis is confirmed by blood tests that will detect elevated levels of the growth hormone (GH) and an MRI to spot the location of the tumor. Schedule surgery if your doctor recommends this route. It’s considered a non-invasive surgery, as it’s performed by entry through the nose to reach the pituitary gland if this is where the tumor’s located. Otherwise the tumor is removed from the abdomen, chest or
