Pathologies Flashcards
What is acromegaly
Excess growth hormone post-puberty (after growth plate closes)
Bone density increases
Usually due to pituitary gland tumours/trauma
What is gigantism
Excess growth hormone while bones are still developing in childhood/adolescence which results in very tall growth
Usually due to pituitary gland tumour/trauma
What is hyperprolactinaemia
Excessive prolactin production, usually due to a pituitary gland tumour/trauma
Also a result of some pharmacological drugs
Experience galactorrhea & amenorrhoea due to prolactin inhibiting GnRH
What is galactorrhea
Flow of milk from breasts that isnt associated with birth, can affect male or female
What is amenorrhoea
Absence of menses
What is diabetes insipidus
Deficiency of ADH production causing the kidneys to over excrete water
Can be due to cranial trauma to pituitary gland or some form of renal failure
Hypercalcaemia & hypokalaemia (low potassium) also damage kidneys
What is polydipsia
Extreme thirst, symptom of diabetes insipidus
What is polyuria
Excess urination, symptom of diabetes insipidus
Why does adrenal failure lead to skin hyperpigmentation
Leads to lack of adrenal hormone production & a failure of the normal negative feedback mechanism
The hypothalamus produces an excess of CRH which causes the pituitary to erroneously produce MSH which causes skin colour to darken
What is the addisonian crisis
A complication of Addison’s disease when the individual has no capacity to cope with stress (e.g psychological, infection etc)
What is cushing’s syndrome
A cortisol excess from any cause which could be from glucocorticoid drug use, corticosteroid therapy, adrenal, tumour
What is cushing’s disease
Excess production of ACTH causing excess glucocorticoid production from the adrenal cortex, usually due to a pituitary tumour
What is addison’s disease
Adrenal insufficiency
Hypo-functioning of the adrenal cortex causing a deficiency in mineralocorticoids & glucocorticoids
85% due to atrophy of the adrenal gland (most commonly autoimmune) otherwise secondary to a disease or abrupt cessation of long-term steroid use
What can cause secondary diabetes
Fairly uncommon, 1-2% of cases
Can be due to certain medications (cortisone) or underlying health conditions such as pancreatitits
What is gestational diabetes
Forms during pregnancy as a result of placental hormones (ie human placental lactogen) intereferes with blood glucose levels
Usually disappears after delivery, but there is an elevated risk of mother & child developing type 2 diabetes in later years
What is ketoacidosis
Signs = fruity smelling breath, exhaled acetone due to presence of fats forming into ketones
Low glucose levels, mitochondria can use ketones to mak energy which are derived from breakdown of fatty acids
They are acidic and can be toxic if high levels accumulate, which may result in coma/death
Can be tested using a urine dipstick
What is type 1 diabetes
An autoimmune condition causing destruction of pancreatic Beta cells results in hyperglycaemia due to impaired insulin production
What is type 2 diabetes
Where body’s cells develop insulin resistance & so glucose cannot enter cells efficiently
Hyperglycaemia develops when the pancreas can no longer secrete insulin to compensate for the resistance
Strong hereditary link in asian, african, hispanic, indian
