Glucagonoma is a rare type of endocrine pancreatic tumor. This means it is a cancer of the glandular endocrine cells of the pancreas rather than the exocrine digestion-related pancreas cells. A "glucagonoma" is a cancer that produces too much production of a hormone called glucagon, which does reduce insulin production. Hence, glucagonoma can interfere with insulin and can give the appearance of diabetes mellitus. However, the effects of too much glucagon are not identical to having too little insulin.
Causes
Causes of this pathology remain unknown, although some genetic factors could play an important role, especially in patients who have a family history of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN I) or Wermer syndrome.Glucagonoma is usually malignant (cancerous). The cancer tends to spread and get worse. The cancer affects the islet cells of the pancreas. As a result, they produce too much of a hormone called glucagon.
Nonneoplastic pathologies can elevate glucagon levels that are high enough to produce cutaneous manifestations. Hepatic cirrhosis is an example. Since the liver is responsible for glucagon breakdown, cirrhosis may prolong the effective plasma half-life of glucagon and contribute to abnormally high serum levels. NME with normal glucagon levels has been reported in celiac sprue and pancreatitis; similar skin findings can present with cystic fibrosis.
Causes of this pathology remain unknown, although some genetic factors could play an important role, especially in patients who have a family history of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN I) or Wermer syndrome. The excess glucagon causes symptoms such as glucose intolerance and hyperglycemia (elevated blood sugar). Spreading of the cancer (metastasis) to the liver may occur. Glucagonoma also cause a distinctive skin lesion called necrolytic migratory erythema. Symptoms
Glucagonoma is a tumor with a slow rate of growth. Most of the cases start with nonspecific symptoms. In a report of patients with functional pancreatic tumors, the average delay of diagnosis was 3 years. Approximately 50% of cases have metastases at diagnosis. For patients with metastases at diagnosis, the prognosis is poor.
Symptom information has been gathered from various sources, may not be fully accurate, and may not be the full list of symptoms of Glucagonoma. Furthermore, symptoms of Glucagonoma may vary on an individual basis for each patient. Only your doctor can provide adequate diagnosis of symptoms and whether they are indeed symptoms of Glucagonoma.
The primary physiological effect of glucagonoma is an overproduction of the peptide hormone glucagon, which enhances blood glucose levels through the activation of catabolic processes including gluconeogenesis and lipolysis. Gluconeogenesis produces glucose from protein and amino acid materials; lipolysis is the breakdown of fat. The net result is hyperglucagonemia, decreased blood levels of amino acids (hypoaminoacidemia), anemia, diarrhea, and weight loss of 5-15 kg.
Treatment
All reported glucagonomas with the cutaneous syndrome originated from single pancreatic tumors of considerable size (diameter 1.5-35 cm).(319;327). All tumors occurred in the tail or body of the pancreas, where A cells normally are abundant, deriving from the dorsal anlage of the pancreas. At the time of diagnosis, 62% of the tumors had metastases. Glucagonomas not associated with the syndrome but characterized by morphologic and/or chemical criteria are diagnosed in various ways. First, the tumor may appear as a malignant pancreatic tumor, discovered because of local growth, with or without metastases. Second, the tumor may be associated with an insulinoma, gastrinoma, or as part of the MEN-1 syndrome.
Monday, September 01, 2008
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Herbal Medicines For Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is an intolerance to gluten, normally hereditary but occasionally the result of a bout of gastroenteritis in childhood. The term is derived from the Greek word koiliakos, which means "suffering in the bowels." As far as is known, there is an inability of the cells lining the upper part of the small intestine to break down gluten, which is a protein found in wheat, oats, barley, and rye. The disease reduces the intestines' ability to absorb nutritive substances from the diet and so is a cause of malabsorption. It is a condition that presents itself in small children, but is only diagnosed by a biopsy, which means removing a small sample of tissue from the colon in order to analyze it. Tests for it using blood and urine are currently being developed.
Celiac disease is less prevalent in children who are breastfed or introduced late to foods containing gluten. Many complementary practitioners believe that restoring the balance of beneficial bacteria in the bowel and improving the efficiency of the immune system will provide a cure. Constitutional treatment by a homeopath may also work to make the sufferer less sensitive to gluten - to the point that a gluten-free diet may be finally unnecessary.
Signs of possible celiac disease include an inability to gain weight, constipation, or, alternatively, bulky, smelly, frequent bowel movements, decreased muscle tone, protruding stomach, and general lethargy. The only effective treatment is to remove gluten from the diet, permanently or temporarily, but this must be done under the supervision of a physician or practitioner. Some sufferers outgrow their intolerance and can eventually return to eating a normal diet.
Nontropical sprue is a disease that occurs in adults. It is very like celiac disease and is treated in the same way, by excluding all gluten from the diet.
Symptoms often mimic other problems such as lactose intolerance (a sensitivity to the sugar in milk), as well as allergies, cystic fibrosis, immune deficiencies, or emotional problems. It is important that these are ruled out first, before removing gluten from the diet.
Treatment
Diet and Nutrition Breastfeed babies if possible: research indicates a possible link between celiac disease and formula-feeding. Avoid foods containing gluten for the first year of the child's life, including bread, cookies, cakes, and gravy thickened with flour. Switch to rice crackers and corn products. Avoid commercially prepared foods that often contain flour. Read all ingredient labels carefully. An allergy to milk may be involved in this condition: avoid cows' milk where possible. Eat fresh fish, vegetables, fruits, and nuts.
Consult a qualified practitioner/therapist for:
Herbal Medicine
A herbalist may prescribe slippery elm, marshmallow, camomile, or papain. Research indicates that papain - an extract of papaya, which is available as a supplement - may break down the gluten so that it does no harm.
About the Author
Read out for home remedies. Check out pregnancy and homeopathic remedies
Celiac disease is less prevalent in children who are breastfed or introduced late to foods containing gluten. Many complementary practitioners believe that restoring the balance of beneficial bacteria in the bowel and improving the efficiency of the immune system will provide a cure. Constitutional treatment by a homeopath may also work to make the sufferer less sensitive to gluten - to the point that a gluten-free diet may be finally unnecessary.
Signs of possible celiac disease include an inability to gain weight, constipation, or, alternatively, bulky, smelly, frequent bowel movements, decreased muscle tone, protruding stomach, and general lethargy. The only effective treatment is to remove gluten from the diet, permanently or temporarily, but this must be done under the supervision of a physician or practitioner. Some sufferers outgrow their intolerance and can eventually return to eating a normal diet.
Nontropical sprue is a disease that occurs in adults. It is very like celiac disease and is treated in the same way, by excluding all gluten from the diet.
Symptoms often mimic other problems such as lactose intolerance (a sensitivity to the sugar in milk), as well as allergies, cystic fibrosis, immune deficiencies, or emotional problems. It is important that these are ruled out first, before removing gluten from the diet.
Treatment
Diet and Nutrition Breastfeed babies if possible: research indicates a possible link between celiac disease and formula-feeding. Avoid foods containing gluten for the first year of the child's life, including bread, cookies, cakes, and gravy thickened with flour. Switch to rice crackers and corn products. Avoid commercially prepared foods that often contain flour. Read all ingredient labels carefully. An allergy to milk may be involved in this condition: avoid cows' milk where possible. Eat fresh fish, vegetables, fruits, and nuts.
Consult a qualified practitioner/therapist for:
Herbal Medicine
A herbalist may prescribe slippery elm, marshmallow, camomile, or papain. Research indicates that papain - an extract of papaya, which is available as a supplement - may break down the gluten so that it does no harm.
About the Author
Read out for home remedies. Check out pregnancy and homeopathic remedies
Saturday, March 01, 2008
Herbal Medicines For Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is an intolerance to gluten, normally hereditary but occasionally the result of a bout of gastroenteritis in childhood. The term is derived from the Greek word koiliakos, which means "suffering in the bowels." As far as is known, there is an inability of the cells lining the upper part of the small intestine to break down gluten, which is a protein found in wheat, oats, barley, and rye. The disease reduces the intestines' ability to absorb nutritive substances from the diet and so is a cause of malabsorption. It is a condition that presents itself in small children, but is only diagnosed by a biopsy, which means removing a small sample of tissue from the colon in order to analyze it. Tests for it using blood and urine are currently being developed.
Celiac disease is less prevalent in children who are breastfed or introduced late to foods containing gluten. Many complementary practitioners believe that restoring the balance of beneficial bacteria in the bowel and improving the efficiency of the immune system will provide a cure. Constitutional treatment by a homeopath may also work to make the sufferer less sensitive to gluten - to the point that a gluten-free diet may be finally unnecessary.
Signs of possible celiac disease include an inability to gain weight, constipation, or, alternatively, bulky, smelly, frequent bowel movements, decreased muscle tone, protruding stomach, and general lethargy. The only effective treatment is to remove gluten from the diet, permanently or temporarily, but this must be done under the supervision of a physician or practitioner. Some sufferers outgrow their intolerance and can eventually return to eating a normal diet.
Nontropical sprue is a disease that occurs in adults. It is very like celiac disease and is treated in the same way, by excluding all gluten from the diet.
Symptoms often mimic other problems such as lactose intolerance (a sensitivity to the sugar in milk), as well as allergies, cystic fibrosis, immune deficiencies, or emotional problems. It is important that these are ruled out first, before removing gluten from the diet.
Treatment
Diet and Nutrition Breastfeed babies if possible: research indicates a possible link between celiac disease and formula-feeding. Avoid foods containing gluten for the first year of the child's life, including bread, cookies, cakes, and gravy thickened with flour. Switch to rice crackers and corn products. Avoid commercially prepared foods that often contain flour. Read all ingredient labels carefully. An allergy to milk may be involved in this condition: avoid cows' milk where possible. Eat fresh fish, vegetables, fruits, and nuts.
Consult a qualified practitioner/therapist for:
Herbal Medicine
A herbalist may prescribe slippery elm, marshmallow, camomile, or papain. Research indicates that papain - an extract of papaya, which is available as a supplement - may break down the gluten so that it does no harm.
About the Author
Celiac disease is less prevalent in children who are breastfed or introduced late to foods containing gluten. Many complementary practitioners believe that restoring the balance of beneficial bacteria in the bowel and improving the efficiency of the immune system will provide a cure. Constitutional treatment by a homeopath may also work to make the sufferer less sensitive to gluten - to the point that a gluten-free diet may be finally unnecessary.
Signs of possible celiac disease include an inability to gain weight, constipation, or, alternatively, bulky, smelly, frequent bowel movements, decreased muscle tone, protruding stomach, and general lethargy. The only effective treatment is to remove gluten from the diet, permanently or temporarily, but this must be done under the supervision of a physician or practitioner. Some sufferers outgrow their intolerance and can eventually return to eating a normal diet.
Nontropical sprue is a disease that occurs in adults. It is very like celiac disease and is treated in the same way, by excluding all gluten from the diet.
Symptoms often mimic other problems such as lactose intolerance (a sensitivity to the sugar in milk), as well as allergies, cystic fibrosis, immune deficiencies, or emotional problems. It is important that these are ruled out first, before removing gluten from the diet.
Treatment
Diet and Nutrition Breastfeed babies if possible: research indicates a possible link between celiac disease and formula-feeding. Avoid foods containing gluten for the first year of the child's life, including bread, cookies, cakes, and gravy thickened with flour. Switch to rice crackers and corn products. Avoid commercially prepared foods that often contain flour. Read all ingredient labels carefully. An allergy to milk may be involved in this condition: avoid cows' milk where possible. Eat fresh fish, vegetables, fruits, and nuts.
Consult a qualified practitioner/therapist for:
Herbal Medicine
A herbalist may prescribe slippery elm, marshmallow, camomile, or papain. Research indicates that papain - an extract of papaya, which is available as a supplement - may break down the gluten so that it does no harm.
About the Author
Read out for home remedies. Check out pregnancy and homeopathic remedies
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