How to Live With Pituitary Gland Tumors

Pituitary tumors are abnormal growths that sit in your pituitary gland. If you are suffering form pituitary tumors it means that you are probably experiencing headaches, vision loss, nasal drainage, nausea and vomiting, seizures, fatigue and weakness.Pituitary tumors affect your body physically and biochemically. They produce hormones that throw your biochemistry off kilter. Treatment for this particular type of tumor is centered around removing or stopping the growth of the tumor.Since the tumors affect other areas of your body, there are some things that you will need to do to be able to live with them. This article outlines that for you.

Instructions

Educate Yourself

• 1

  Educate yourself about the conditions and what it can do to your body. Consult with a physician. If removal isn't possible, then you will have to live with the effects that the tumors will have on your biochemistry. The best thing to do is to be prepared for whatever comes.

• 2

  Inform family members and friends about the condition and symptoms. They need to know what your body is, or possibly will be, going through.

• 3

  Be prepared for the hormonal changes to your body. If you have a functioning pituitary tumor then there are some hormones that you will need to be aware of. One is the adrenocorticotropic hormone. This hormone aids in the production of cortisol with will cause weight gain around midsection, roundness of the face, high blood pressure, stretch marks, bruising, muscle weakness and thinning of your skin.Another hormone that can be produced is the growth hormone which will cause enlarged hands and feet, excessive sweating, high blood pressure and heart problems. In children, they will have an accelerated growth pattern. The other hormone that is produced is prolactin. Too much prolactin will decrease the normal production of sex hormones. That means that women will have less estrogen, and less testosterone for men. Women will possibly experience irregular menstrual cycles and discharge from the breasts. Men could have enlarged breasts, erectile dysfunction, infertility and a loss in sex drive.

• 4

  Join a support group. Your doctor may know of such a group since they are usually sponsored by the hospital. Talking with people who are dealing with the same thing you are will help when trying to cope with the side effects. This is a good way to receive emotional support and get valuable information.