Endocrine disorder impacts on human health
Main function of the endocrine system is to integrate body
systems, along with the nervous system. The endocrine system is
a complexset of glands that produce and release hormones which
assist in controllingnumerous important body functions,
including the body's ability to change calories into energy that
powers cells and organs. Each gland of the endocrine system
releases specific hormones into bloodstream. These hormones
travel through blood to other cells and help control or
coordinate many body processes.
The endocrine system influences how person's heart beats, bones
and tissues grow. It plays a vital role in development and
maintenance of human body parts. If it is affected or there is
any disturbance in endocrine system, it leads to many diseases
like diabetes, thyroid disease, growth disorders, sexual
dysfunction, and a host of other hormone-related disorders.
Types of Endocrine glands:
The endocrine system comprises several glands.
Adrenal glands: Two glands that sit on top of the kidneys that
release the hormone cortisol.
Hypothalamus: It is a part of the lower middle brain that tells
the pituitary gland when to release hormones.
Ovaries: The female reproductive organs that release eggs and
produce sex hormones.
Islet cells in the pancreas: Cells in the pancreas control the
release of the hormones insulin and glucagon.
Parathyroid: Four tiny glands in the neck that play a role in
bone development.
Pineal gland: A gland found near the center of the brain that
may be linked to sleep patterns.
Pituitary gland: A gland found at the base of brain behind the
sinuses. It is often known as the "master gland" because it
influences many other glands, particularly the thyroid. If there
is problems in the pituitary gland, it can affect bone growth, a
woman's menstrual cycles, and the release of breast milk.
Testes: The male reproductive glands that produce sperm and sex
hormones.
Thymus: A gland in the upper chest that helps develop the body's
immune system early in life.
Thyroid: It is a butterfly-shaped gland in the front of the neck
that controls metabolism.
Endocrine disorders are grouped into two categories:
-
Endocrine disease occurs when a gland produces excessive or
too little of an endocrine hormone, called a hormone
imbalance.
-
Endocrine disease due to the development of lesions (such as
nodules or tumors) in the endocrine system, which may or may
not affect hormone levels.
The endocrine's feedback system helps control the balance of
hormones in the bloodstream. If human body has too much or too
little of any type of hormone, the feedback system signals the
proper gland or glands to correct the problem. A hormone
imbalance may occur if this feedback system has trouble keeping
the right level of hormones in the bloodstream, or if body
doesnot clear them out of the bloodstream properly.
Causes of Endocrine Disorders:
Increased or decreased levels of endocrine hormone may be caused
by:
-
A problem with the endocrine feedback system Failure of a
gland to stimulate another gland to release hormones (for
example, a problem with the hypothalamus can disrupt hormone
production in the pituitary gland)
-
A genetic disorder, such as multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN)
or congenital hypothyroidism
- Infection: Injury to an endocrine gland
-
Tumor of an endocrine gland: Most endocrine tumors and nodules
(lumps) are noncancerous. They generally do not spread to
other parts of the body. However, a tumor or nodule on the
gland may interfere with the gland's hormone production.
Types of Endocrine disorders: There are several disorder
associated with dysfunctioning of endocrine system:
-
Adrenal insufficiency. The adrenal gland releases too little
of the hormone cortisol and sometimes, aldosterone. Symptoms
of this are fatigue, stomach upset, dehydration, and skin
changes. Addison's disease is a type of adrenal insufficiency.
-
Cushing's disease. When there is overproduction of a pituitary
gland hormone, it leads to an overactive adrenal gland. A
similar condition called Cushing's syndrome may occur in
people, particularly children, who take high doses of
corticosteroid medications.
-
Gigantism and other growth hormone problems. If the pituitary
gland produces excessive growth hormone, a child's bones and
body parts may grow abnormally fast. If growth hormone levels
are too low, a child can stop growing in height.
-
Hyperthyroidism. The thyroid gland releases too much thyroid
hormone, it can result in weight loss, fast heart rate,
sweating, and nervousness. The most common cause for an
overactive thyroid is an autoimmune disorder called Grave's
disease.
-
Hypothyroidism. If thyroid gland does not produce enough
thyroid hormone, it leads to fatigue, constipation, dry skin,
and depression. The underactive gland can cause slowed
development in children. Some types of hypothyroidism are
present at birth.
-
Hypopituitarism. The pituitary gland releases little or no
hormones. It may be caused by a number of different diseases.
Women with this condition may stop getting their periods.
-
Multiple endocrine neoplasia I and II (MEN I and MEN II).
These uncommon, genetic conditions which are transmitted down
through families. They cause tumors of the parathyroid,
adrenal, and thyroid glands, leading to overproduction of
hormones.
-
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Overproduction of androgens
affect with the development of eggs and their release from the
female ovaries. Polycystic ovary syndrome is major of
infertility.
-
Diabetes is the most common endocrine disorder identifiedby
medical practitioners.
Symptoms of endocrine disorders:
The symptoms of endocrine disorders can be from mild or even
nonexistent to serious and affecting whole human body and their
emotional well-being. Specific symptoms depend on the specific
part of the endocrine system affected.
-
If there is a condition of diabetes, it is the most common
endocrine disorder and occurs when the pancreas either does
not produce sufficient insulin or the body cannot use the
available insulin. Symptoms of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes
include:
- Excessive thirst or hunger
- Fatigue
- Frequent urination
- Nausea and vomiting
- Unexplained weight loss or gain
- Vision changes
-
Acromegaly: Acromegaly is a disorder in which the pituitary
gland overproduces growth hormone. This leads to symptoms of
overgrowth, especially of the hands and feet. Symptoms of
acromegaly are as under:
- Abnormally large lips, nose or tongue
- Abnormally large or swollen hands or feet
- Altered facial bone structure
- Body and joint aches
- Deep voice
- Fatigue and weakness
- Headaches
-
Overgrowth of bone and cartilage and thickening of the
skin
- Sexual dysfunction, including decreased libido
- Sleep apnea
- Vision impairment
-
Addison's disease: Addison's disease occurs due to decreased
production of cortisol and aldosterone due to adrenal gland
damage. General symptoms of Addison's disease include:
- Depression
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Hyperpigmentation of the skin (bronze appearance)
- Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose)
- Loss of appetite
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Missed menstrual periods
- Nausea, with or without vomiting
- Salt cravings
- Unexplained weight loss
- Weakness (loss of strength)
-
Cushing's syndrome: Cushing's syndrome happen due to excess
cortisol, produced by the adrenal glands. Symptoms of
Cushing's syndrome include:
- Buffalo hump (fat between the shoulder blades)
- Skin discoloration such as bruising
- Fatigue
- Feeling very thirsty
- Thinning and weakening of the bones (osteoporosis)
- Frequent urination
- High blood sugar (hyperglycemia)
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Irritability and mood changes
- Obesity of the upper body
- Rounded “moon“ face
- Weakness (loss of strength)
-
Graves' disease: Graves' disease is a kind of hyperthyroidism
that results in excessive thyroid hormone production.
Generalsymptoms of Graves' disease include:
- Bulging eyes (Graves' ophthalmopathy)
- Diarrhea
- Difficulty sleeping
- Fatigue and weakness
- Goiter (enlargement of the thyroid gland)
- Heat intolerance
- Irregular heart rate
- Irritability and mood changes
- Rapid heart rate (tachycardia)
- Thick or red skin on the shins
- Tremors
- Unexplained weight loss
-
Hashimoto's thyroiditis: Hashimoto's thyroiditis, or
autoimmune thyroiditis, is a medical disorder in which the
thyroid is targeted by the immune system, which results in
hypothyroidism and low production of thyroid hormone. In
Hashimoto's thyroiditis, usually patients do not exhibit
symptom, but symptoms can include:
- Cold intolerance
- Constipation
- Dry hair and loss of hair
- Fatigue
- Goiter (enlargement of the thyroid gland)
- Joint and muscle pain
- Missed menstrual periods
- Slowed heart rate
- Weight gain
-
Hyperthyroidism: Hyperthyroidism is a condition that occurs
due to overactive thyroid gland. Common symptoms of
hyperthyroidism include:
- Diarrhea
- Difficulty sleeping
- Fatigue
- Goiter (enlargement of the thyroid gland)
- Heat intolerance
- Irritability and mood changes
- Rapid heart rate (tachycardia)
- Tremors
- Unexplained weight loss
- Weakness (loss of strength)
-
Hypothyroidism: Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the
thyroid is underactive and produces low amount of thyroid
hormone. Often, hypothyroidism does not show any symptom. But
some symptoms of hypothyroidism include:
- Cold intolerance
- Constipation
- Decreased sweat production
- Dry hair
- Fatigue
- Goiter (enlargement of the thyroid gland)
- Joint and muscle pain
- Missed menstrual periods
- Slowed heart rate
- Swollen face
- Unexplained weight gain
-
Prolactinoma: Prolactinomaoccurs when a dysfunctional
pituitary gland makes excess prolactin hormone, which
functions in the production of breast milk. Excess prolactin
has following symptoms:
- Erectile dysfunction
- Infertility
- Loss of libido
- Missed menstrual periods
- Unexplained milk production
-
In some cases, endocrine disorders can be life threatening. It
is better to get medical attention if patients exhibit serious
symptoms that might indicate a life-threatening condition
including such as:
-
Confusion or loss of consciousness for even a brief moment
-
Dangerously low blood pressure (extreme hypotension)
- Dangerously slow heart rate
- Dehydration
- Depression or anxiety
- Difficulty breathing
-
Eye problems, including dryness, irritation, pressure,
pain or bulging
- Severe fatigue or weakness
- Severe, unexplained headache
- Severe vomiting and diarrhea
- Sleep disturbances
-
Risk factors for endocrine disorders:
There are numerous factors that increase the risk to develop
endocrine disorders. Risk factors for endocrine disorders are
as under:
- Elevated cholesterol levels
- Family history of endocrine disorder
- Inactivity
-
Personal history of autoimmune disorders, such as diabetes
- Poor diet
- Pregnancy (in cases such as hyperthyroidism)
-
Recent surgery, trauma, infection, or serious injury
Testing for Endocrine Disorders:
If person is suffering from an endocrine disorder, He/she is
referred to endocrinologist. An endocrinologist is specially
trained in problems with the endocrine system.The symptoms of an
endocrine disorder differextensively and depend on the specific
gland involved. However, most people with endocrine disease
complain of fatigue and weakness. Initially, doctor
recommendsblood and urine tests to check patient's hormone
levels. These tests help doctors to determine if patients have
an endocrine disorder. Imaging tests may be done to help locate
or identify a nodule or tumor.
Treatment: Treatment of endocrine disorders can be difficult, as
a change in one hormone level can throw off another. Modern
treatment is generally quite effective for endocrine disorders,
and severe consequences of endocrine dysfunction are infrequent.
Nevertheless, untreated endocrine disorders can have extensive
complications throughout the body.
Possible complications of endocrine disorders:
It is established in medical journals that most endocrine
disorders are mild and slow to progress, but certain endocrine
disorders can lead to complications over time as unbalanced
hormonal signalling affects normal body processes. In cases of
Addison's disease and hypothyroidism in particular, severe
attacks or crises can have serious problems.
Diabetes can also have life-threatening complications.
Complications of untreated or poorly controlled endocrine
disorders can be serious, even life threatening in some cases.
Therefore patients must consult doctor to minimize risk of
serious complications by following the treatment plan.
-
Main complications of certain endocrine disorders include:
- Anxiety or insomnia (in many thyroid conditions)
- Coma (in hypothyroidism)
- Depression (in many thyroid conditions)
- Heart disease
- Nerve damage
- Organ damage or failure
- Poor quality of life
It can be established that endocrine disorders are medical
conditionassociated with the endocrine glands of the body. The
endocrine system produces hormones, which are chemical signals
sent out, or secreted, through the bloodstream. Hormones help
the body to control processes, such as appetite, breathing,
growth, fluid balance, feminization and virilization, and weight
control.
Main endocrine disorders consists of diabetes mellitus,
acromegaly (overproduction of growth hormone), Addison's disease
(decreased production of hormones by the adrenal glands),
Cushing's syndrome (high cortisol levels for extended periods of
time), Graves' disease (type of hyperthyroidism resulting in
excessive thyroid hormone production), Hashimoto's thyroiditis
(autoimmune disease resulting in hypothyroidism and low
production of thyroid hormone), hyperthyroidism (overactive
thyroid), hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), and prolactinoma
(overproduction of prolactin by the pituitary gland).
These disorders have numerous symptoms and affect several parts
of the body and have mild to serious complications. Treatments
depend on the specific disorder but doctors try to adjust
hormone balance using synthetic hormones.
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