| HGH side effects |
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HGH therapy is not without side effects although it is a natural substance produced by the body. HGH side effects in children Biosynthetic growth hormone is usually safe in children and any complications are but rare. However some of the possible adverse events in children taking HGH in deficiency states include Pseudotumor Cerebri, which causes pressure and swelling within the skull, papilledema, visual changes, headache, nausea or vomiting. These complications generally arise within 8 weeks of starting on growth hormone therapy. Diabetes mellitus is a real concern in children receiving hormone therapy as HGH increase insulin resistance. In some cases leukemia has been reported in children receiving HGH therapy. However researchers have thus far failed to establish any causal relationship between HGH use and conditions associated with HGH deficiency like Down's syndrome and radiation therapy for brain tumors. Another serious side effect of HGH is a slipped Femoral Epiphysis - separation of the ball of the hip joint from the thigh bone. Reports of children developing scoliosis after being given growth hormone are rare, but the risk is existent. Generally doctors wait for at least one year after therapy for pediatric tumors like leukemia before starting on growth hormone. In kids who have had treatment for brain tumors like medulloblastomas, the waiting time is two years. HGH side effects in adults Side effects associated with the initiation of HGH therapy in adults include * Peripheral edema * Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is caused when a nerve exiting a opening in the bone is pinched by the growth of the said bone. This syndrome is usually seen in the wrist and is quite painful. * Arthralgia (Joint Pain) * Myalgia (Muscle Pain) All the above symptoms are generally seen in patients who are older and obese. Decreasing the dose of HGH usually results in relief from the above symptoms. |