Pathophysiology

Pathophysiology Study Guide

©2018 of 131 Simmond's disease is characterized by the destruction of the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland. It may be caused due to embolic infarction, tumor, syphilis, tuberculosis, metastatic abscesses, and inflammation. It is a panhypopituitarism disease associated with the failure of cachexia, followed by the destruction of the pituitary gland. Causes include surgery, difficult labor during childbirth, infection, injury, or tumor. Major signs and symptoms of this syndrome are unintended loss in weight, debility, jaundice, pallor, slow pulse rate, atrophy of breasts and genitalia, and hypotension. Pituitary Adenoma Pituitary adenomas are tumors of the pituitary gland. The pituitary tumors are categorized in three types, on the basis of biological functioning: benign adenoma, invasive adenoma, and carcinomas. Pituitary adenoma falls under the first type, that is, benign adenoma. These can be developed at any age and mostly are developed in the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland. These tumors can further be divided depending on their size and their ability to produce hormones. The first types are secreting tumors. Also known as functioning tumors or endocrine active tumors, these are characterized as tumors that produce excessive amounts of one of the hormones. The other type is known as non- functioning or endocrine inactive pituitary tumors. These tumors do not produce any extra hormones. Signs and symptoms of pituitary adenomas are headaches, vision problems, alterations of the menstrual cycle, mood swings, change in behavior, unintended change in weight, and erectile dysfunction. Acromegaly and Galactorrhea/Amenorrhea Acromegaly is a hormonal disorder characterized by excessive release of hormones by the pituitary gland. In this disorder, the size of the bones increases excessively. It causes gigantism among children, exaggerating the growth of bones and causing an increase in height. It is caused by the overproduction of growth hormones by the pituitary gland. This triggers the liver to produce the hormone known as insulin-like-growth-factor-I, which is the stimulus in the growth of bones and other tissues. The causes of acromegaly are pituitary, as well as non-pituitary, tumors. Galactorrhea is characterized by the abnormal milky discharge from the nipple, not associated with the mechanism of breastfeeding. This disorder shows an underlying problem and mostly occurs in women who never had any children or who are post-menopausal. It is caused when the pituitary glands produce too much of the hormone prolactin, responsible for lactation at the time of childbirth. The main causes of galactorrhea are certain medications, like antidepressants, hypertension drugs, and sedatives; use of cocaine, marijuana, and opioids; birth control pills; hypothyroidism; spinal cord surgery, injury, or tumors; herbal supplements; disorders of pituitary glands; chronic kidney disease; excessive stimulation of the breast; and chest nerve damage. Amenorrhea is characterized by the missing of at least three menstrual cycles in a row. Common causes of this disorder are pregnancy, issues with reproductive organs or gland regulating hormones, menopause, breastfeeding, and medications. There can be other situations that can lead to amenorrhea, including contraceptives, lifestyle factors, hormonal imbalance, and structural problems with the sexual organs. Achieve Page 121