With a focus on age and pain management, award-winning physician Robert Windsor, MD, practices physical medicine in Georgia. Although he has experience in treating numerous conditions, Robert Windsor, MD, is specifically interested in the evaluation and treatment of adult-onset growth hormone deficiency (GHD).
GHD develops when the pituitary gland fails to produce the right amount of growth hormone to sustain the human body. When this condition occurs in children, it delays the rate at which their body grows and develops. In most cases, GHD in kids is caused because the hypothalamus fails to stimulate the pituitary gland so it releases growth hormone.
Adults can also experience GHD. In adults, the condition is typically the result of damage to the pituitary gland. This is caused by either a head injury or a pituitary tumor. In the event of a tumor, surgery may be recommended to have the tumor removed before the condition can be treated. Inactivity of the hypothalamus can also cause GHD in adults, though this reason is less common in adults than children.
With adult-onset GHD, patients typically experience significant changes in themselves. Most often, these individuals notice a decrease in their usual endurance and energy levels. They may also notice an increase in body fat around the waist, impaired concentration, osteoporosis, a decreased interest in sexual activity, and a desire to avoid social contact.
