Pituitary Tumors – An Overview
The pituitary gland is small, legumed-shaped and positioned at the base of the brain. Sometimes, this gland experiences abnormal growth like pituitary tumors. These tumors, in turn, can cause an overproduction of hormones or in some cases, it can cause an underproduction of hormones.
Even though most pituitary tumors are benign, the drastic changes in hormones are important because this gland regulates important functions in the body like growth, blood pressure and reproduction. The absolute cause of these tumors is unknown, although some think that heredity is a key factor.
Symptoms
When a tumor starts to grow, there are a number of symptoms that may arise. It is important to note some symptoms are related to tumor pressure while other symptoms are caused by hormonal changes. The list of symptoms is as follows:
Symptoms related to tumor pressure:
Headache
Vision Loss
Clear, watery nasal discharge
Nausea and vomiting
Seizures
Symptoms of pituitary hormone deficiency
Fatigue
Weakness
Cold intolerance
Constipation
Low blood pressure
Body hair loss
Sexual dysfunction
Unintended weight loss or gain
Symptoms related to hormonal changes:
Cushing’s syndrome
Coarsened facial features
We value and respect the experiences of all of our HerWriters, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.
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