GALACTORRHOEA Meaning and
Definition
-
Galactorrhoea, also spelled galactorrhea, is a medical condition characterized by the abnormal production of milk-like secretion from the breasts in individuals who are not breastfeeding or pregnant. The term is derived from the Greek words "galaktos," meaning milk, and "rhéein," meaning to flow.
Galactorrhoea occurs due to the increased levels of a hormone called prolactin in the body. Prolactin is primarily responsible for stimulating milk production in women after childbirth. However, elevated levels of prolactin can result in milk secretion even in the absence of pregnancy or nursing.
Galactorrhoea can affect both women and men, although it is more commonly observed in females. It may be caused by various factors including hormonal imbalances, certain medications (such as antipsychotics or antidepressants), thyroid disorders, pituitary tumors, chronic kidney disease, or as a side effect of surgery or injury to the chest wall.
Symptoms of galactorrhoea typically include spontaneous or manual leakage of milky discharge, breast tenderness or enlargement, irregular menstrual cycles, infertility, and reduced sex drive. In some cases, the condition may be completely asymptomatic. Diagnosis involves medical history evaluation, blood tests to measure prolactin levels, and sometimes imaging scans or other tests to identify underlying causes.
Treatment options for galactorrhoea generally depend on the underlying cause. Depending on the severity and impact on the individual's quality of life, treatment may involve managing the underlying condition, adjusting medications, hormone therapy, or in certain cases, surgical intervention.
Common Misspellings for GALACTORRHOEA
- galactorrea
- galactorrhea
- galactorrheea
- Gelactorrhea
- Galectorrhea
- falactorrhoea
- valactorrhoea
- balactorrhoea
- halactorrhoea
- yalactorrhoea
- talactorrhoea
- gzlactorrhoea
- gslactorrhoea
- gwlactorrhoea
- gqlactorrhoea
- gakactorrhoea
- gapactorrhoea
- gaoactorrhoea
- galzctorrhoea
- galsctorrhoea
Etymology of GALACTORRHOEA
The word "Galactorrhoea" is derived from two separate components: "galacto" and "rrhea".
1. "Galacto" is derived from the Greek word "γάλα" (gála), which means "milk". It is often used in medical terminology to refer to lactation or milk-related conditions.
2. "Rrhea" is also derived from Greek, specifically from the word "ῥέω" (rhéō), which means "to flow". In medical terminology, "-rrhea" is commonly used to indicate an abnormal or excessive flow of something.
Therefore, the etymology of "Galactorrhoea" can be understood as "abnormal flow of milk" or "excessive lactation".
