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what is an endocrine disorder

by Tabitha Williamson Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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An endocrine disorder results from the improper function of the endocrine system, which includes the glands that secrete hormones, the receptors that respond to hormones and the organs that are directly impacted by hormones. At any one of these points, dysfunction can occur and cause wide-ranging effects on the body.

What are the major diseases of the endocrine system?

  • Failure of endocrine feedback. This can occur when one gland fails to stimulate the other. ...
  • Autoimmune disorder. ...
  • Removal of a gland.
  • Infection affecting a certain gland.
  • Tumors or other abnormal growths affecting the endocrine glands.
  • Injury to an endocrine gland.
  • Defects in the receptors of the target organs or tissues. ...

What are the symptoms of endocrine dysfunction?

Signs of endocrine disorders

  • I was feeling exhausted.
  • Intolerance to cold temperatures.
  • The face is swelling and changes its appearance.
  • The effects of memory impairment are forgetfulness and memory loss.
  • Melancholy
  • Apathy towards sexuality.
  • Goiter (enlarged thyroid gland).
  • Swollen eyes.
  • Dryness and hair that is brittle.
  • Dryness, roughness, and wrinkles in the appearance of skin.

More items...

What are some pathological disorders of the endocrine system?

These are:

  • Underactivity of the endocrine glands. This implies reduced production of hormones by the glands. Examples include hypothyroidism and adrenal insufficiency.
  • Overactivity of the endocrine glands. This is characterized by overproduction of hormones by the glands. ...
  • Tumors or nodules affecting the endocrine glands.

How are endocrine disorders treated?

When symptoms of endocrine disorders are bothersome, they can generally be treated by correcting the hormone imbalance. This is often done by means of synthetic hormone administration. In cases such as prolactinoma, where a noncancerous tumor is responsible for symptoms, surgery or radiation therapy may be used.

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What are some common endocrine disorders?

Endocrine Disease TopicsAcromegaly.Adrenal Insufficiency & Addison's Disease.Cushing's Syndrome.Cystic Fibrosis link.Graves' Disease.Hashimoto's Disease.

What is the most common endocrine problem?

In the United States, the most common endocrine disease is diabetes. There are many others. They are usually treated by controlling how much hormone your body makes. Hormone supplements can help if the problem is too little of a hormone.

What are the four types of endocrine disorders?

Types of Endocrine DisordersAdrenal insufficiency. The adrenal gland releases too little of the hormone cortisol and sometimes, aldosterone. ... Cushing's disease. Overproduction of a pituitary gland hormone leads to an overactive adrenal gland. ... Gigantism (acromegaly) and other growth hormone problems. ... Hyperthyroidism.

What happens when you have endocrine disorder?

Endocrine disorders occur when one or more parts of the system do not work correctly. This typically causes high or low levels of certain hormones or results in the body not responding correctly to certain hormones. This can lead to problems around the body.

What are signs of endocrine problems?

What Are the Symptoms of an Endocrine Disorder?Mood swings.Fatigue.Weakness.Unintended weight fluctuations.Changes in blood glucose levels or cholesterol levels.

What are 3 types of endocrine disorders?

Types of Endocrine DisordersAdrenal Insufficiency. Adrenal glands, located on top of the kidneys, produce various hormones. ... Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) ... Hyperaldosteronism. ... Osteoporosis. ... Pituitary Disorders. ... Thyroid Disorders.

What is the most common female endocrine disorder?

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinopathy among women of reproductive age, impacting 5-10% of premenopausal American women. During the reproductive years, women with PCOS seek medical attention related to infertility, hirsutism, and acne.

How do you test for endocrine disorders?

These tests and tools are used to diagnose and evaluate endocrine disorders:CT scan.Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)Nuclear medicine studies.Parathyroid ultrasound.Post-thyroidectomy ultrasound.Thyroglobulin stimulation studies.Thyroid ultrasound.Ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration.

How do you fix your endocrine system?

How can I prevent a hormonal imbalance?Maintaining a healthy weight.Eating a balanced, healthy diet.Exercising regularly.Managing your stress.Getting enough quality sleep.Managing your chronic health conditions well (if applicable).Quitting smoking or using tobacco products, if you smoke.

What causes endocrine disorders?

Endocrine conditions can be due to three main causes: 1) Underproduction of a certain hormone; 2) Overproduction of a certain hormone; 3) A malfunction in the production line of a hormone or in its ability to function correctly.

What is the most common disease treated by an endocrinologist?

Diabetes is one of the most common metabolic conditions. An endocrinologist can specialize in the treatment of different kinds of diabetes and other metabolic conditions such as obesity. Thyroid disease: Many conditions can affect your thyroid, the butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your neck.

Is endocrine disease curable?

Pituitary tumors and tumors of the adrenal glands are often surgically curable. Cancers of the testes are often curable with surgery, radiation therapy or chemotherapy. Many common endocrine problems cannot be cured but can be effectively treated with medication and/or lifestyle change.

What is the most common disease treated by an endocrinologist?

Diabetes is one of the most common metabolic conditions. An endocrinologist can specialize in the treatment of different kinds of diabetes and other metabolic conditions such as obesity. Thyroid disease: Many conditions can affect your thyroid, the butterfly-shaped gland in the front of your neck.

What is the most common female endocrine disorder?

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinopathy among women of reproductive age, impacting 5-10% of premenopausal American women. During the reproductive years, women with PCOS seek medical attention related to infertility, hirsutism, and acne.

How do you fix your endocrine system?

How can I prevent a hormonal imbalance?Maintaining a healthy weight.Eating a balanced, healthy diet.Exercising regularly.Managing your stress.Getting enough quality sleep.Managing your chronic health conditions well (if applicable).Quitting smoking or using tobacco products, if you smoke.

What is the most common endocrine disorder in elderly clients?

Adult hypopituitarism, hypothyroidism, osteoporosis, diabetes mellitus, adrenal insufficiency, various forms of hypogonadism, and endocrine malignancies are all more frequent in old age.

What are the causes of endocrine disorders?

Endocrine disorders have several potential causes, such as tumors, genetic factors, or hormonal imbalances. Because these conditions affect hormones, they can cause a wide range of symptoms and influence growth and development, metabolism, sexual function, and mood.

How does endocrine disorder affect the body?

Endocrine disorders affect the endocrine system. This system uses glands throughout the body to produce and release hormones, which can affect a number of bodily processes. If hormone levels are too high or too low, or if the body does not respond to hormones correctly, a person may have an endocrine disorder.

Why is it so hard to identify endocrine disorders?

Endocrine disorders can be difficult to identify due to their wide range of symptoms and their similarity to other conditions. Anyone who is experiencing any unusual symptoms that could suggest an endocrine disorder should contact a doctor.

What is the most common thyroid disorder?

Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid does not produce enough hormones. It is the most common thyroid disorder, and it can cause bodily processes to slow down.

What is the cause of hyperthyroidism?

Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland produces too many hormones. The condition has several possible causes, including inflammation of the thyroid gland or Graves’ disease.

What are some examples of autoimmune diseases?

In some cases, an autoimmune condition causes endocrine problems. For example, type 1 diabetes is the result of the immune system destroying insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Graves’ disease is also an autoimmune condition, and it can result in hyperthyroidism.

What is the name of the doctor who studies hormones?

Endocrinology refers to the study of hormones, and an endocrinologist is a doctor who specializes in hormones. These doctors can provide treatment options that can help restore the normal balance and function of the hormones in a person’s body.

Why do endocrine disorders occur?

Endocrine disorders arise because of problems with the glands of the endocrine system. Of the many potential endocrine disorders, some of the most common relate to problems with the pancreas or with the pituitary, thyroid, or adrenal glands.

What is the endocrine system?

Endocrine disorders are diseases related to 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 regulate processes, such as appetite, breathing, growth, fluid balance, feminization and virilization, and weight control.

What are the risk factors for endocrine disorders?

A number of factors increase the risk of developing endocrine disorders. Not all people with risk factors will develop endocrine disorders. Risk factors for endocrine disorders include:

What is Graves disease?

Graves’ disease is a type of hyperthyroidism resulting in excessive thyroid hormone production. Common symptoms of Graves’ disease include:

What is the term for an overactive thyroid gland?

Hyperthyroidism is a condition characterized by an overactive thyroid gland. Common symptoms of hyperthyroidism include:

How to lower your risk of endocrine disorders?

You may be able to lower your risk of certain endocrine disorders, such as hypothyroidism, by: Eating a balanced, healthy diet. Living a healthy lifestyle, including regular physical activity.

What are the symptoms of diabetes?

Symptoms of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes include: Excessive thirst or hunger. Fatigue.

What Is an Endocrine Disorder?

The endocrine system is composed of several organs in the body. Some of the major organs in this system include:

What Are Some Symptoms of Endocrine Disorder?

An endocrine disorder can manifest in several different ways, including diabetes, acromegaly, or Cushing’s Syndrome, but there are universal symptoms you can experience. The most common issues to be aware of are:

What To Do If You Are Diagnosed With Endocrine Complications?

Because of the specific nature of these disorders, you may need to seek out a specialist to understand your situation fully. Scheduling an appointment with an endocrinologist and bringing along your medical information and the results of any tests you have undergone can give them the knowledge they need to treat your specific condition better.

What is the name of the disorder that affects the adrenal glands?

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a group of inherited genetic disorders that affect the adrenal glands. A person with CAH lacks one of the enzymes the adrenal glands use to produce hormones that help regulate metabolism, the immune system, blood pressure, and other essential functions.

What is the branch of medicine that focuses on endocrine glands and hormones in the body?

Endocrinology is the branch of medicine that focuses on endocrine glands and hormones in the body. Hormones regulate many bodily functions; however, when a hormone imbalance occurs, it can have a variety of effects on the body. The Diabetes Center & Endocrinology Clinic at UI Health offers comprehensive services and treatments for patients ...

What is the condition where the thyroid gland is overactive?

Hyperthyroidism : Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland is overactive and makes excessive amounts of thyroid hormone. When the thyroid gland is overactive, the body's processes speed up, and individuals may experience nervousness, anxiety, rapid heartbeat, hand tremors, excessive sweating, weight loss, and sleep problems, among other symptoms.

Why is my thyroid not working?

Hypothyroidism: Hypothyroidism is an underactive thyroid gland, and the thyroid gland can't make enough thyroid hormone to keep the body running normally. Individuals are hypothyroid if they have too little thyroid hormone in the blood. Common causes are autoimmune disease, surgical removal of the thyroid, and radiation treatment.

What is the name of the gland that produces the most hormones?

Adrenal Insufficiency. Adrenal glands, located on top of the kidneys, produce various hormones. Adrenal insufficiency occurs when the adren al glands do not produce sufficient amounts of steroid hormones — primarily cortisol, which regulates sodium conservation, potassium secretion, and water retention.

What happens when you have too much aldosterone?

When too much aldosterone is produced, this leads to hypertension (high blood pressure) and low blood potassium levels.

Where is the thyroid gland located?

The thyroid gland is an endocrine gland that is located in the front of the neck. This gland produces thyroid hormones that primarily influence the body's metabolism and protein synthesis. Abnormal cell growth in the thyroid gland can lead to thyroid cancer. The thyroid also can be affected by a variety of diseases, including:

What is the endocrine system?

Your endocrine system is a group of glands that secrete hormones into the blood. These hormones travel to other organs and tissues to regulate your body’s functions. Your endocrine system influences your growth and development, mood, sexual function, reproduction, and metabolism.

Which endocrine system is responsible for making insulin?

More than 29 million Americans have diabetes, but one-third are unaware they have it. The pancreas is the endocrine gland responsible for making the hormone insulin. Insulin helps your body’s cells take in glucose for energy.

How many people have thyroid disorders?

Thyroid Disorders. Thyroid disorders follow closely behind diabetes in the United States. About 20 million Americans have some type of thyroid disorder. Your thyroid gland makes hormones that tell your body’s systems how fast work. When you have too much thyroid hormone, your systems work in overdrive.

What are the symptoms of low testosterone?

Men with low testosterone suffer from decreased sexual desire, erectile dysfunction, shrinking testes, and hair loss. They may also have less energy, depression, muscle weakness, and sleep problems. 5. Osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is thinning of the bones and loss of bone mass. Women are at higher risk than men.

What is the medical term for low testosterone?

Hypogonadism is the medical term for low testosterone. It’s difficult to determine exactly how many men have low testosterone based on studies published so far. Most estimates put it in the millions, with older men being more likely to have it.

Is osteoporosis a hormone?

Women are at higher risk than men. The risk increases with age, as estrogen levels decline. But other endocrine disorders can contribute to osteoporosis. This includes high levels of thyroid hormone, parathyroid hormone, and cortisol. These conditions disrupt the normal balance of bone rebuilding and remodeling. In men, low testosterone levels can increase the likelihood of developing osteoporosis.

What is the endocrine system?

Conditions. The endocrine system is a network of glands and organs located throughout the body. It’s similar to the nervous system in that it plays a vital role in controlling and regulating many of the body’s functions. However, while the nervous system uses nerve impulses and neurotransmitters for communication, ...

What are some examples of hormones produced by the endocrine system?

Below are some examples of hormones that are produced by the endocrine system. Hormone. Secreting gland (s) Function. adrenaline. adrenal. increases blood pressure, heart rate, and metabolism in reaction to stress.

What is the endocrine function of the ovaries?

Its endocrine function involves controlling blood sugar levels. Some endocrine glands also have non-endocrine functions. For example, the ovaries and testes produce hormones, but they also have the non-endocrine function of producing eggs and sperm, respectively.

What is the function of hormones in the body?

Hormones are the chemicals the endocrine system uses to send messages to organs and tissue throughout the body. Once released into the bloodstream, they travel to their target organ or tissue, which has receptors that recognize and react to the hormone.

Which gland controls appetite?

Hypothalamus. While some people don’t consider it a gland, the hypothalamus produces multiple hormones that control the pituitary gland. It’s also involved in regulating many functions, including sleep-wake cycles, body temperature, and appetite. It can also regulate the function of other endocrine glands. Pituitary.

Where is the pituitary gland located?

Pituitary. The pituitary gland is located below the hypothalamus. The hormones it produces affect growth and reproduction. They can also control the function of other endocrine glands.

What are some examples of bodily functions that are controlled by the endocrine system?

Some examples of bodily functions that are controlled by the endocrine system include: metabolism. growth and development. sexual function and reproduction. heart rate. blood pressure. appetite. sleeping and waking cycles. body temperature.

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