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- $Unique_ID{BRK00100}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{Explanation of Sheehan's Syndrome}
- $Subject{sheehan's syndrome syndromes pituitary gland Ill Defined Symptoms
- symptom Rare Diseases deliveries delivering delivery hormonal hormones
- shrinking breasts lactate lactation breast-feed hair pubic hair loss infertile
- diabetics cerebrovascular diabetic sheehan infertility fertile fertility
- sterile sterility}
- $Volume{N-22}
- $Log{}
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- Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
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- Explanation of Sheehan's Syndrome
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- QUESTION: Could you explain Sheehan's Syndrome to me?
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- ANSWER: Often associated with difficult deliveries, Sheehan's Syndrome occurs
- in women who have experienced shock and hemorrhage. It is a relatively rare
- condition; about one case in 10,000 deliveries is reported. What happens is
- that during delivery not enough blood gets to the pituitary. Damage occurs,
- and the result is a variety of hormonal deficiencies and some strange
- symptoms. If you know a woman with Sheehan's Syndrome, she may show signs of
- mental deterioration and perhaps complain of other symptoms such as shrinking
- breasts, an inability to lactate (breast-feed), loss of hair in the pubic
- region and under the armpits, her period may have stopped, and she could be
- infertile. The syndrome can happen even when there has been no hemorrhage
- during a difficult delivery. A person can have Sheehan's and there may be no
- symptoms because the disease may be at an early stage or in a less severe
- form. In these instances, the disease will manifest itself if the person is
- under a great deal of stress. Other people prone to the disease are diabetics
- who have cerebrovascular disease. Doctors can accurately diagnose Sheehan's
- with the help of hormone-level lab tests and stimulation tests. Successful
- treatment involves hormone replacement therapy, carefully tailored to each
- patient's needs. However, it is essential that the patient continue to have a
- thorough follow-up of lab tests and clinical results so that she may lead a
- relatively normal lifestyle.
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- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
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