what is the difference between gigantism and growth failure
Answers
Answer:
Acromegaly is oversecretion of growth hormone which begins in adulthood. Gigantism is oversecretion of growth hormone which begins in childhood.
What is Acromegaly?
Definition of Acromegaly:
Acromegaly is the oversecretion of growth hormone from the pituitary gland starting at some time between the ages of 20 and 40 years.
Symptoms of Acromegaly:
The first symptoms are changes in the face, with a coarse look appearing. The feet and hands also swell up. Additional changes in appearance include the development of coarse body hair, and darkened thick skin. Glands of the body increase in size and sweat production increases. The increase in sweat sometimes leads to bad body odor. The jaw also sticks out and tongue may change shape and size. Nerve problems can develop as.
Diagnosis and causes of Acromegaly:
Acromegaly can be diagnosed by measuring and noticing high levels of growth hormones in blood plasma, and by CT or MRI scans. These scans may show a pituitary tumor present causing the oversecretion. The condition is caused by a hypersecretion of growth hormone that begins in adulthood after the epiphyses are closed. It can be the result of a non-cancerous pituitary tumor or non-pituitary gland tumor in a different region of the brain, in the lungs or pancreas.
Complications involved in Acromegaly:
One of the big complications from having acromegaly is the development of cardiomyopathy, in which the heart enlarges; this then causes problems with the heart function. There can also be increasing problems with the respiratory system and with both lipid and glucose metabolism.
Treatment of Acromegaly:
Surgery in which the tumor is removed is a possible treatment option, radiation therapy may also help. Sometimes medication such as ocreotide can be used to reduce the amount of growth hormone that is being secreted, other medication such as pegvisomant can be used which actually blocks receptors for the hormone. This latter medication then stops the effects of the hormone.
Symptoms of Gigantism:
There is an unusual growth of muscles, organs, and bones so that a child is bigger, including taller than usual, for their developmental age. There can be symptoms such as blurred vision, delayed start of pubescent changes, double vision, very prominent forehead and jaw, increased sweat production, and large hands and feet. Patients may also feel very tired and their facial features may thicken.
Diagnosis and Causes of Gigantism:
The condition may be diagnosed in a child from a blood test where levels of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) are noted to be elevated. An MRI scan or CT scan can show if there is a pituitary adenoma (tumor) present. It is often caused by this benign non-cancerous tumor of the pituitary gland causing oversecretion of the growth hormone. Certain syndromes can also cause the condition, including McCune-Albright syndrome, and Carney complex. Neurofibromatosis and certain endocrine neoplasias can also cause the disorder.
Explanation:
gigantism is the growth or any part of the body whereas growth failure is a failure of growth of body