ENDOCRINOLOGY
Endocrinology is the study of hormones. Hormones are essential for our everyday survival. They control our temperature, sleep, mood, stress, growth and more. A doctor that treats diseases related to problems with hormones is called an endocrinologist.
A hormone is a chemical messenger that travels from one cell to another. Hormones can be released in one part of the body, travel in the blood stream and have an effect on other parts of the body. This goes to help different parts of the human body to communicate with each other. Hormones are secreted by endocrine glands, such as the pituitary, thyroid or adrenal glands. It is worthy to note that not all glands are classified as endocrine glands; for example, sweat glands or lymph glands are not endocrine glands.
All organisms with more than one cell have hormones, therefore they can be found in plants and animals as well. They influence and or control a whole array of physiological activities, e.g. growth, development, puberty, level of alertness, sugar regulation and appetite, bone growth, etc.
THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM
The endocrine system includes eight major glands throughout the body. These glands make hormones. Hormones are chemical messengers. They travel through the bloodstream to tissues or organs. Hormones work slowly and affect body processes from head to toe.
These include/p>
- Growth and development
- Metabolism (digestion, elimination, breathing, blood circulation and maintaining body temperature)
- Sexual function
- Reproduction
- Mood
If one’s hormone levels are too high or too low, he may have a hormone disorder. Hormone diseases also occur if the body does not respond to hormones the way it is supposed to. Stress, infection and changes in your blood's fluid and electrolyte balance can also influence hormone levels.
Problems with hormones and the way they work contribute to some of the major diseases of mankind; for example, diabetes, thyroid conditions, pituitary conditions, some sexual problems, some neurological problems, appetite and obesity, bone problems, cancer, etc.
ENDOCRINE DISEASES
Broadly speaking, endocrine disorders may be subdivided into three groups:
- Endocrine gland hypo secretion (which leads to hormone deficiency)
- Endocrine gland hyper secretion (which leads to hormone excess)
- Tumors (benign or malignant) of endocrine glands
Endocrine disorders are often quite complex, involving a mixed picture of hypo secretion and hyper secretion.
The most common endocrine disease is types 1 and 2 diabetes. However, other conditions treated within endocrinology include
- Osteoporosis: means “porous bone”, it is a disease that occurs when the body loses too much bone, makes too little bone or both. As a result, bones become weak and brittle. Read More
- Menopause: the time in a woman's life when her monthly period stops, most often after age 45. Menopause happens because the woman's ovaries stop producing the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Read More
- Thyroid disease: The thyroid gland manufactures hormones that regulates body metabolism. Several different disorders can arise when the thyroid for instance produces too much hormone or not enough. Some common disorders of the thyroid are goiter, and thyroid nodules. Read More
- Hypertension: Hypertension is another name for high blood pressure. It can lead to severe health complications and increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and sometimes death. Blood pressure is the force that a person's blood exerts against the walls of their blood vessels. Read More
- Infertility: Infertility is defined as not being able to get pregnant despite having frequent, unprotected sex for at least a year for most couples. Infertility may result from an issue with either you or your partner, or a combination of factors. Read More
- Addison's disease: Also called adrenal insufficiency, it is an uncommon disorder that occurs when the body doesnot produce enough of certain hormones. The adrenal glands, located just above the kidneys, produce too little cortisol and, often, too little aldosterone. Read More
- Cushing's syndrome: Occurs when the body is exposed to high levels of the hormone cortisol over a long period. The condition can also occur when your body makes too much cortisol on its own. Read More
- Gestational Diabetes: A condition in which blood sugar levels become high during pregnancy. There are two classes of gestational diabetes. However, women with class A1 can manage it through diet and exercise. Read More
- Graves’ disease: An autoimmune disorder that causes hyperthyroidism, or overactive thyroid. With this disease, the immune system attacks the thyroid and causes it to make more thyroid hormone than the body needs. Read More
- Growth Hormone Deficiency: A rare disorder characterized by the inadequate secretion of growth hormone (GH) from the anterior pituitary gland, a small gland located at the base of the brain that is responsible for the production of several hormones. Read More
- Hashimoto's Thyroiditis: Also known as chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis and Hashimoto's disease, it is an autoimmune disease in which the thyroid gland is gradually destroyed. Early on there may be no symptoms. Over time the thyroid may enlarge, forming a painless goiter. Read More
- Hyperglycemia: Refers to high levels of sugar, or glucose, in the blood. It occurs when the body does not produce or use enough insulin, which is a hormone that absorbs glucose into cells for use as energy. Read More
- Hyperparathyroidism: a condition in which one or more of the parathyroid glands become overactive and secrete too much parathyroid hormone (PTH). This causes the levels of calcium in the blood to rise, a condition known as hypercalcemia. Read More
- Hypoglycemia: Hypoglycemia, also known as low blood sugar, is a fall in blood sugar to levels below normal. This may result in a variety of symptoms including clumsiness, trouble talking, confusion, loss of consciousness, seizures or even death. Read More
- Low Testosterone: This is diagnosed when levels fall below 300 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL). A normal range is typically 300 to 1,000 ng/Dl. A blood test called a serum testosterone test is used to determine the level of circulating testosterone. Read More
- Obesity: Obesity is a complex disease involving an excessive amount of body fat. Obesity isnot just a cosmetic concern. It is a medical problem that increases a person’s risk of other diseases and health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and certain cancers. Read More
- Thyroid Nodules: Thyroid nodules are solid or fluid-filled lumps that form within the thyroid gland. Most thyroid nodules arenot serious and donot cause symptoms. Read More
Endocrine treatments at Diamed typically involves controlling the amount of hormone the body produces, and, in cases of hormone deficiency, the use of hormone supplements.
