What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Acromegaly?
The name
acromegaly comes from the Greek words for "extremities" and "enlargement," and reflects one of the most common symptoms of the condition: the abnormal growth of the hands and feet.
Soft-tissue swelling of the hands and feet is often an early acromegaly symptom, with patients noticing a change in ring or shoe size. Gradually, bony changes alter the patient's facial features: the brow and lower jaw protrude, the nasal bone enlarges, and the spacing of the teeth increases.
Other common symptoms of acromegaly include:
- Arthritis
- Fatigue and weakness
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Thick, coarse, oily skin
- Skin tags
- Sleep apnea
- Enlarged lips, nose, and tongue
- Deepening of the voice due to enlarged sinuses and vocal cords
- Impaired vision
- Excessive sweating and skin odor
- Headaches
- Abnormalities of the menstrual cycle
- Breast discharge in women
- Impotence in men (also known as erectile dysfunction or ED)
- Enlargement of body organs, including the liver, spleen, kidneys, and heart.
Complications Seen With Acromegaly Symptoms
Acromegaly can lead to the development of other health conditions. The most serious health consequences of acromegaly are:
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