Pituitary Disorders
Clinical and Mental Health Challenges to their Diagnosis and Treatment

Wednesday, June 29, 2011 12:00-1:30 p.m. (EST) About the Webinar Program Objectives Webinar Will Answer These Questions Speakers Who Should Attend Purchase Options Continuing Education Questions

Depression, anxiety, loss of libido, sexual dysfunction, eating disorders, bipolar disorder, lethargy... these are all mental health conditions that are common in people with a pituitary disorder. And, did you know that one in five people are currently living with a pituitary disorder? That's 60 million people in the United States alone.

Research shows a greater prevalence of pituitary and other neuroendocrine disorders than previously known. Unfortunately because disorders of the pituitary are not understood, it can take many patients years to obtain a proper diagnosis. Once diagnosed and properly treated, patients are often faced with physical and mental changes that may be lifelong. Therefore, the aspects of long-term medical management and hormone replacement therapies will be needed.

The Case In Point webinar series lays out a broad overview of common pituitary disorders, including but not limited to the clinical presentation and diagnosis of functioning and non-functioning pituitary tumors, their treatment and immediate post-operative complications. The medical and mental health aspects specific to these disorders will be also be discussed with plenty of opportunity for questions and input.

Attend from your desktop or conference room. Invite your whole team to attend at one low price of $329 per location. Each registration comes with access to the archived version of the program and the materials until December 31, 2011.

About the Webinar

So, what is the pituitary gland and what is a pituitary disorder? According to the Pituitary Network, the pituitary gland is called the "Master Gland” of the endocrine system because it controls the functions of all the other endocrine glands. From its position above the rest of the body, it sends signals to the thyroid gland, adrenal glands, ovaries and testes, directing them to produce thyroid hormone, cortisol, estrogen, testosterone, and many more. These hormones have dramatic effects on metabolism, blood pressure, sexuality, reproduction, and other vital body functions. This "Master Gland" role makes the pituitary gland quite important, despite its small size.

It is largely unknown that problems with the pituitary gland can cause not only physical problems, but also mental health issues that impact individuals as well as families. Physicians have been trained that pituitary tumors are rare, and mental health professionals have virtually no training in their identification and treatment. At least until recently.

Pituitary and other hormonal disorders encompass a wide range of symptoms that may appear months or years prior to proper medical diagnosis. Pituitary patients are often the first to recognize that something may be wrong when they find their sexual and/or mental health deteriorating. Symptoms commonly thought of as purely psychological in nature, but common in pituitary disorders, include major depression, suicide, anxiety, weight gain/loss, sexual dysfunction, anger and rage, cognitive disturbances, and more. Other symptoms can have a mental health component. For example, the effects of infertility or loss of libido can impact a couple’s relationship and stability. Lethargy, apathy, and mental slowness all wreak havoc with the ability to function fully in work, family and social environments. Menstrual irregularities and pain can cause losses in work or school productivity. Amenorrhea (absence of menses), especially when accompanied with weight loss, can be mistakenly diagnosed as anorexia nervosa.

Understanding the impact disorders of the pituitary is essential for healthcare professionals to understand so that patients affected can obtain a complete and correct diagnosis, as well as appropriate treatment.

Program Objectives

• Review the role and function of the pituitary gland.
• Discuss abnormalities that can occur as a result of tumors or pituitary disorders.
• Discuss the methods used to diagnosis and accurately treat pituitary disorders.
• Learn about resource that can be used when a pituitary disorder is suspected to find providers centers of excellence.

Our Webinar Will Answer These Questions

• What is the function of the pituitary gland?
• Are pituitary disorders common?
• What causes the pituitary to malfunction?
• What are the symptoms of a pituitary disorder?
• Why is a pituitary disorder difficult to diagnosis?
• What is the treatment for a pituitary tumor?
• Why are mental health symptoms connected with pituitary disorders?
• How do I find physicians who can make an accurate diagnosis?
• Are pituitary disorders fatal?

Faculty

Linda M. Rio, M.A., MFT Linda Rio is a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) in practice over twenty-four years and currently serves the Pituitary Network Association (PNA) as Director of Professional and Public Education. She has been an invited speaker for national, state, and local conferences, graduate and post-graduate educational institutions and others including: The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), The Collaborative Family Healthcare Association (CFHA), and The California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT). Linda is co-editor and contributor to Pituitary Disorders: Diagnosis and Management, Wiley-Blackwell (in press), as well as the upcoming revision of The Pituitary Patient’s Resource Guide (Pituitary Network Association).

Jessica Devin, M.D. Dr. Jessica Devin practices endocrinology in Nashville, TN. She has both a long-standing clinical and research interest in pituitary disorders. She is a graduate of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Nashville. She subsequently completed both her internal medical residency and endocrinology fellowship at Vanderbilt, where she additionally performed post-doctoral research investigating the effect of growth hormone on cardiovascular risk. She previously was a faculty physician at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in the Department of Endocrine Neoplasia, where she contributed to the development of their Pituitary Tumor Program. She and her husband have since returned to Nashville, and she is looking forward to continuing her clinical and research efforts at Vanderbilt after July 1.

Moderator: Anne Llewellyn RN-BC, MS, BHSA, CCM, CRRN Editor in Chief, Case Management Products Dorland Health, a Division of Access Intelligence

 

Who Should Attend

Physicians Clinical nurses Case Managers Care Managers Disability management specialists Employers Geriatric Case Managers Hospital Advocates

Medical Directors Mental Health Counselors Nurse Practitioners Patient Advocates Physician Assistants Psychologists Rehabilitation Counselors Social Workers

Purchase Options

• Live Webcast Registration – $329
• Webcast Recording on CD-ROM – $329
• Live Webcast and CD-ROM – $389

Questions?

For questions regarding the Webinar or to register by phone, contact Hope Kabik at 301-354-1769.

If you are having any technical difficulties or need assistance meeting these requirements, please contact our Technical Support Center at 1-866-709-8255.

For content questions regarding this Webinar, contact Anne Llewellyn at 954-254-2950 or email allewellyn@dorlandhealth.com.

*Dorland Health does not offer any refunds for the webinar.  All sales are final.

How Does the Webinar Work?

The live audio is delivered to your location over the telephone or your computer speakers. The Power-Point presentations are presented over the Internet and are available to print out before the program. This is like a talk-radio program with visuals on the Web. You and your team will be able to have a live Q&A with all the speakers.

More details on webinar equipment and connections