Definition:
Hypopituitarism is a medical disorder characterized by the failure of the pituitary gland to produce a single or more of hormones, or the inability to produce enough. The pituitary gland secretes certain hormones that greatly influence almost all parts of the human body. This is the reason why in hypopituitarism affects any number of the normal bodily routines such as blood pressure, growth and reproduction.
Diagnosis:
Diagnosis involves tests to check the patient's hormone levels as well as imaging tests such as brain imaging, x-ray and vision tests.
Treatment:
Successful treatment can result to complete or partial recovery of hypopituitarism Treatment approaches include surgical procedures to remove the tumor and may also require radiation treatment. In cases where the hormone deficiency would persist, hormone replacement medications are often prescribed.
Symptoms and Signs:
Hypopituitarism is typically progressive in nature. Symptoms include fatigue, muscle weakness, nausea, constipation, weight loss, loss of appetite, abdominal discomfort, some visual disturbances, joint stiffness, hoarseness, headaches and excessive urination.
Causes:
Hypopituitarism is believed to be mainly triggered by a growth of tumor in the pituitary gland. As the tumors increase in size, it causes the compression and damage of the pituitary tissue, and thereby interferes with the hormone. Other underlying causes may include brain tumor, head injuries, radiation treatment, stroke, tuberculosis, infections of the brain and severe blood loss during birth.
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