21st Century Pituitary Disorders Sourcebook: Hypopituitarism, Cushing's Syndrome, Combined Pituitary Hormone Deficiency, Acromegaly, Prolactinoma, Tumors, Empty Sella Syndrome, Septo-Optic Dysplasia

This comprehensive ebook provides authoritative information and practical advice from the nation's health experts about pituitary disorders, including hypopituitarism, acromegaly, combined pituitary hormone deficiency, Cushing's syndrome, Empty Sella syndrome, pituitary human growth hormone issues, prolactinoma and pituitary tumors, and septo-optic dysplasia (De Morsier's syndrome).

Starting with the basics, and advancing to detailed patient-oriented and physician-quality information, the 21st Century Sourcebook series gives empowered patients, families, caregivers, nurses, and physicians the information they need to understand this complex and mystifying disease. There is extensive coverage of symptoms, diagnosis, medical testing, clinical research, drugs and potential treatments for specific symptoms, and much more.

Contents: Part 1: Hypopituitarism * Part 2: Acromegaly * Part 3: Combined Pituitary Hormone Deficiency * Part 4: Cushing's Syndrome * Part 5: Empty Sella Syndrome * Part 6: Pituitary Human Growth Hormone * Part 7: Prolactinoma and Pituitary Tumors * Part 8: Septo-Optic Dysplasia (De Morsier's Syndrome) * Part 9: Pituitary Disorders Clinical Trials * Part 10: Glossary of Clinical Trials Terms * Part 11: Guide to Leading Medical Websites.

This edition includes our exclusive Guide to Leading Medical Websites with updated links to 81 of the best sites for medical information, which let you quickly check for updates from the government and the best commercial portals, news sites, reference/textbook/non-commercial portals, and health organizations.

Hypopituitarism occurs when the body has low levels of certain hormones made by the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland normally makes several hormones (including growth hormone, thyroid stimulating hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone, prolactin, follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone, vasopressin, and oxytocin). These hormones are important for directing body growth and development, and for regulating blood pressure and metabolism. Symptoms of this condition vary and depend on which hormones are affected. Treatment depends on the cause of this condition; once the cause is corrected, medication (hormone replacement therapy) must be taken to provide the body with the normal amount of hormones.

Cushing's syndrome is a hormonal disorder caused by prolonged exposure of the body's tissues to high levels of the hormone cortisol. Sometimes called hypercortisolism, Cushing's syndrome is relatively rare and most commonly affects adults aged 20 to 50. People who are obese and have type 2 diabetes, along with poorly controlled blood glucose-also called blood sugar-and high blood pressure, have an increased risk of developing the disorder.