Pituitary disorders happen when your pituitary gland makes too much or too little of a particular hormone. A pituitary gland is a small gland found in your sinus cavity, and it produces many hormones that regulate your bodily functions. In most cases, the pituitary tumor causes these disorders. A pituitary disorder Newport Beach can exist for many years without showing any symptoms. Despite pituitary disorders not being hereditary, you can pass them to your generation if you have a condition known as multiple endocrine neoplasias. Pituitary disorders develop in different forms, including:

Acromegaly

Acromegaly develops when your pituitary gland produces too much growth hormone (GH). Excess GH leads your bones and organs to grow too big. Acromegaly worsens with time, and if you are not treated, it can lead to complications like heart conditions and blood vessel diseases. A non-cancerous tumor called adenoma causes acromegaly. Medications, radiation therapy, or surgery can treat this condition.

Craniopharyngioma

A craniopharyngioma is a slow-developing, benign brain tumor that rarely happens. The reason why it forms is unknown. Craniopharyngioma can grow large, pressing on your brain, leading to severe problems. If they go untreated, they can damage your hypothalamus, alter the functioning of your pituitary gland, or press on your optic nerves leading to vision issues. Radiation therapy and surgery are the treatment options for craniopharyngioma.

Prolactinoma

Prolactinoma is the most common pituitary gland tumor that makes your body produce too much prolactin hormone. Prolactin plays a role in breast milk making, energy production, fertility, and sexual desire. Scientists do not know what causes the formation of prolactinoma tumors. If your tumor is small, your doctor can recommend medications and aggressive treatment for large tumors.

Cushing’s disease

Cushing’s disease occurs when the body makes too much cortisol, a hormone responsible for your body’s stress. Although rare, it progresses gradually and gets worse over time. Treatment reduces symptoms, and you can lead an active life. Cushing disease affects people between twenty to fifty years and is more common in women than men. Round, red face, hump on the back of your neck, purple stretch marks, and rapid weight gain are the common symptoms of this condition.

Rathke’s cleft cyst

Rathke’s cleft cyst is a growth that forms in the pituitary gland gap, known as Rathke’s pouch. Normally, the pocket closes before birth as two structures gather to form the pituitary gland. If the two parts do not close fully, a cleft remains where the cyst develops. Usually, these cysts do not show symptoms. The cyst presses against the pituitary gland or optic nerve, altering hormones functioning or causing vision issues in rare cases. Surgery will apply when the cyst is large and causes symptoms.

Growth hormone deficiency

Growth hormone deficiency occurs when your pituitary gland does not produce enough growth hormone, which controls the development of your bones and organs. Fatigue, sleep disorders, bone loss, muscle weakness, and thinner skin are the common symptoms of growth hormone deficiency. Injections can be used to replace growth hormones to treat this condition.

Due to the complex nature of pituitary diseases, you should visit a qualified specialist for diagnosis and treatment. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Sean P. Nikravan, MD, FACE, for pituitary disorder treatment through minimally invasive procedures.