Gigantism is a disease, people with whom they immediately catch their eyes. People with gigantism achieve tremendous growth and often differ significantly in appearance from those around them. Gigantism is a fairly common problem, and its timely diagnosis helps to avoid many complications. Consider the essence of gigantism, its symptoms, causes, diagnosis and treatment.
Essence
Gigantism is a disorder provoked by excessive production of growth hormone - growth hormone. The growth of a person with gigantism is much higher than the average statistical indicators. With gigantism, usually the whole body grows proportionally, including internal organs, however, there are times when some parts of the body increase disproportionately, their appearance differs from normal.
Gigantism is associated with a dysfunction of the pituitary gland, namely its anterior lobe, which produces growth hormone. This disease is often accompanied by mental and nervous disorders, as well as problems with the reproductive system, up to infertility.
First manifestations
Most often, this disease begins to appear at the age of 7-13 and is observed until the completion of growth processes. In a child with gigantism, the growth rate exceeds average norms.
An increased release of growth hormone is also possible at the age when a person has already completed growth, then only certain parts of the body can disproportionately increase. This condition is called acromegaly. Most often, partial gigantism manifests itself at the age of 30-35 years.
For men with gigantism, growth usually reaches more than two meters, and for women more than 1.9 meters. However, it is worth noting that high growth does not mean the presence of this disease, because it can be due to heredity. In most cases, the parents of "giant children" have normal average growth. According to statistical studies, 3 out of 1,000 people suffer from gigantism.
Classification
The following varieties of gigantism can be distinguished in accordance with the violations caused:
- True gigantism. A proportional growth of the whole body and internal organs is observed.
- Acromegalic gigantism. Accelerated growth is observed in certain parts of the body: limbs, superciliary arches and chin, trunk. However, not all bones are subject to growth, because the body looks disproportionate.
- Eunuch-shaped gigantism. Appears due to a violation of the synthesis of sex hormones, there is a malfunction in the functioning of the genitals or a complete cessation of their work. Increased growth hormone production is observed and secondary sexual characteristics are eroded (the timbre of the voice changes due to changes in the shape of bones, body contours, fat is deposited); there is a disproportionate growth of limbs; in adulthood, growth areas in the joints remain open, which is why growth does not stop at the right time.
- Cerebral gigantism. The cause may be disturbances in the functioning of the brain. Symptoms of this type of pathology are nervous and mental disorders, impaired intellectual development.
- Half gigantism. Growth is disproportionate: one half of the body looks larger than the other.
- Splanchnomegaly. In size, the internal organs increase.
Most often, the type of gigantism that develops in humans depends more on the individual susceptibility of the organism to growth hormone, and not on the reason for the increase in its level.
Causes
Gigantism is observed in people with increased production of growth hormone. The following reasons can be distinguished for an increase in the level of growth hormone:
- the reaction of the body to an increase in the level of toxins;
- injuries to the skull and brain;
- neoplasms in the pituitary gland;
- neuroinfection - infection of the central nervous system with viruses or bacteria;
- pituitary inflammation;
- the sensitivity of the epiphyseal cartilage receptors to sex hormones decreases, due to which the bone growth zones do not overlap with age, and the growth does not stop all life.
Symptoms
Gigantism manifests itself in different ways depending on the causes of its appearance, individual characteristics of the body and the type of disease. Most often, the first symptoms appear at the age of 7-14 years:
- apathy, weakness, fatigue;
- rapid increase in growth of the whole body or its individual parts;
- headaches, dizziness, and vision problems;
- joint pain;
- asthenia;
- decrease in muscle tone;
- memory problems.
The disease gigantism is the reason for the rapid growth of almost all internal organs, except the heart, which makes it difficult for him to cope with blood circulation.
With acromegalic gigantism, in addition to the above, there is a disproportionate growth of some parts of the body:
- the chin and superciliary arches become more massive;
- increase in size the nose, ears, lips;
- pelvic bones and sternum grow;
- cracks form between the teeth;
- feet are enlarged;
- the voice is getting lower.
With the disease, hormonal changes are also noted:
- hypofunction of germ cells in men;
- hypo- and hyperteriosis;
- premature development of amenorrhea in girls;
- a sharp set or rapid weight loss;
- diabetes.
Diagnostics
Pathology can be determined on the basis of an external examination and anamnesis. High growth, external characteristic differences, disproportionately enlarged parts of the body are the main signs by which to make a diagnosis.
When accelerated growth is detected in a child and the absence of other characteristic external changes, the level of mental development is determined. An increase in growth rate is possible with early puberty, in which case it is necessary to discover its causes.
In the case of mental retardation in the child, as well as external changes, it is necessary to exclude the possibility of chromosomal genetic abnormalities.
To determine the cause of gigantism, a number of studies are carried out:
- blood test for growth hormone levels;
- x-ray of the skull;
- urinalysis for homocysteine;
- magnetic and computed tomography of the brain, with which help determine the presence of neoplasms in the pituitary gland;
- fundus diagnostics;
- X-ray of bones in order to determine the discrepancy between the bone age and the real age of the person.
Complications
Gigantism, like all other diseases, in neglected form can have a number of complications. These include:
- renal and heart failure;
- brain cancer;
- idiopathic scoliosis;
- infertility;
- hormonal disruptions that can cause diabetes mellitus;
- disruption of the thyroid gland, adrenal glands and pancreas.
It is also worth noting the problems with the social adaptation of people suffering from gigantism. Their appearance can cause ridicule and rejection by peers, which may cause serious psychological problems.
Treatment
The treatment of gigantism depends on its form and causes. It is best to start it before puberty begins. Treatment can be medication, surgical and using radiation therapy.
For drug treatment use:
- Hormonal drugs that are analogues of growth hormone. Treatment should be carried out until the growth zones are completely closed, its early cessation can provoke accelerated growth.
- Sex hormones are prescribed before the age of 14, otherwise there is a chance to increase the final growth, and not reduce it.
- Supportive drugs in case of surgical intervention, as well as medications that help cope with concomitant diseases (such as diabetes mellitus).
With surgical intervention, tumors are removed from the pituitary gland. Also, in order to correct external flaws, plastic surgeries are performed.
Radiation therapy is extremely effective in gigantism.
Important in the treatment of gigantism is diet. It is necessary to minimize the amount of protein in food and strictly monitor the amount of calories consumed. Most often, all these methods are combined for treatment, which allows you to achieve the best results.
Forecast and Prevention
It is impossible to prevent the appearance of gigantism. The only thing that parents can do is to seek help from specialists at the first manifestations of this disease in a child. Identified in the initial stages, it can be stopped with the right treatment.
With timely assistance, the forecasts for patients with gigantism are positive. The greatest danger is associated diseases and problems, which are most often the reason for the short life expectancy of patients.
Thus, gigantism is a disease from which no one is safe. An increase in the level of growth hormone in the body can be accompanied by many problems and complications. People with gigantism are weak in health and often infertile. That is why it is important to diagnose this disease in the early stages and in time to provide medical care to the patient.