ACROMEGALY
Abnormal enlargement of the extremities of the skeleton - nose, jaw, fingers, and toes - due to overproduction of growth hormone in adulthood. The excess growth hormone is produced by a benign (non-cancerous) tumour of the pituitary gland. Early symptoms are changed appearance, tightening of shoes and gloves, and sometimes headache and visual disturbances. Treatment involves removing the gland surgically or destroying the tumour by radiotherapy. Excessive growth hormone in children results in a different condition, gigantism.
ACROPHOBIA
An abnormal, excessive fear or dread of high places in which the sufferer may be illogically afraid in, say, a room in a high building even though there is no chance of falling. It is a disabling condition since the sufferer will often refuse to go to work or a function that involves going into a high building or a place high above the ground. As with other phobias, the sufferer may go into analysis to determine the possible cause of the phobia. Desensitisation, which the sufferer is taught techniques of relaxation when confronted with high places, may also be helpful.
