Definition and causes
Pituitary is a small gland the size of a pea, which is hanging to the underside of the brain in hypofysestilken. It carries through the secretion of various hormones in the body's many important functions such as growth, development and reproduction (see pituitary). Hypopituitarism is a rare condition in which the secretion of one or more of these hormones are reduced.The cause of hypopituitarism is usually a hypofysetumor that can grow large and press the hormone-producing cells, causing gradual decrease in output of one or several hormones. The mode can also occur after surgical removal of a hypofysetumor, which in some cases it may be difficult to maintain a full functional pituitary gland. The reason may also be radiation against head and neck or blow to the head. The mode can also behave in a more acute form, as a result of a brain haemorrhage in hypofyseområdet. Symptoms of hypopituitarism
The acute form may debut with a sudden headache, visual disturbances and impaired eye movement.The symptoms of a slowly growing hypofysetumor is typically more gradual onset and is often related to hypofysetumorens pressure on the optic nerve, which can lead to vision, especially in the form of tunnelsyn (by looking through the tube from a roll of paper towels). Symptoms of hormoninsufficiens can remain hidden for months or years before they noted, and are often misrepresenting as incipient mental illness or chronic fatigue syndrome. The symptoms may be the result of the lack of one or more hormones: - Growth hormone. Lack of growth hormone is the most prevalent. The symptoms are fatigue, obesity abdomen, as well as muscular weakness, bone strength and physical conditioning.
- Sex hormone. Reduced sexual desire, loss of hair kønsbehåring and forearms. In men also seen a reduction of testes and loss of skægvækst. In women of childbearing potential visible outcome of menstruation as well as reduction in breast tissue.
- Thyroid gland function. See symptoms of hypothyroidism.
- Adrenal cortical hormones(excretion of this hormone is controlled by the pituitary). Fatigue, loss of appetite and weight loss. There is low blood pressure, dizziness, nausea and vomiting.
There may also by a lack of hypofysehormoner seen thin, pale yellowish or porcelain white skin that is cool and finely wrinkled faces. Precautions and diagnosis
If you have these symptoms, it is important to contact the doctor who can perform further studies to make the diagnosis. These include blood tests, which measure the level of hormones in the blood and tests, which stimulates hormone production and thereby gauge the body's ability to distinguish the current hormones. In addition, an MRI scan of the skull to identify any. hypofysetumor and an eye examination to determine if there is the influence of the optic nerve.Treatment of hypopituitarism
Treatment consists of replacing the hormones that the body is missing. Hormones that are produced synthetically, given either in pill form or as injections. Hormone Therapy requires constant refinement, as the body needs to be substantially increased in physical stress situations, such as. by infection or injury.Select and complications
Adequate treatment means that you can live an almost normal life. You have to wear a short visit, outlining the disease and its treatment in cases of serious complications, such as. low blood sugar or Addison-crisis.Despite effective treatment, however, there is an increased risk of mortality from cardiovascular disease and stroke.
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