Pregnancy Discrimination
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Gigantism is a disorder of the endocrine system. Gigantism is when you have issues with your pituitary gland and it causes you grow to be abnormally large. This abnormal growth usually occurs when you are a child. If you have this disorder, you can grow up to 8 feet tall.
There are many symptoms of gigantism, one is delayed puberty. Puberty is the process of physical changes by which a childs body becomes an adult body capable of reproduction. Another symptom is that while the person grows to an abnormal height, their organs also grow to a large size with them. Difficulty with peripheral vision is another symptom of this disorder. Those with this disorder may acquire headaches and sercum to increased sweating. In a female irregular menstruation cycles may occur. Long fingers and limbs are common with this disorder. Thickened facial features are rare but have been reported with this disorder.
The hormones involved in this disorder are the HGH, or human growth hormones. This hormone is produced in the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland is the controller gland of the endocrine system. It is called this because it controls the functions for other endocrine glands. The pituitary gland is located in the brain and attached to the hypothalamus.
Gigantism can be caused by a tumor in the pituitary gland. A tumor can cause the pituitary gland to release more growth hormones than usual. Weidman Optiz syndrome, McCune-Albright syndrome, Carney complex, and multiple endocrine neoplasia also can cause gigantism.
In most cases people with a pituitary gland can have surgery. Unfortunately sometimes the surgery cannot be completed and the tumor cannot be completely removed. Unfortunately the tumor will still give one with these condition problems. Some medications can be prescribed to help some symptoms of this disorder. Octreotide and long-acting lanreotide are some of these medications. Radiation has also been used, but it can take up to 10 years to take effect, it has been linked to learning disabilities, obesity, and emotional changes in children. For these side effects it is the rarest treatment. Many giants under 72 can still live a normal life with their condition, they may tower over people and have to duck a few times, but they can still live just like everyone else. Just with a couple moderations to their day to day schedule. Once a giant passes the height of 72 there are many health issues they have to deal with. Some people are affected by Gigantism in a good way or a bad way. Someone who is affected in a good way is Gheorghe Muresan, he is a former NBA player. He played for the Bullets, now he owns a basketball camp called Giants Basketball Camp. He lives a normal life still doing what he loves, playing basketball and helping children learn how to play his favorite game while having a good time. Someone who is affected by Gigantism in a bad way is De-Fen Yao, She lives in china.