The study of endocrinology looks into ordinary and abnormal hormonal behavior. The endocrine system includes internal organs that secretes hormones. That is to say, endocrine glands secrete hormones into the bloodstream. These endocrine glands are essential organs of the human body that imperative to maintain various human functions, not to mention, life itself. Hormonal glands that make up the endocrine system influence many relevant factors such as pregnancy, capability to breast feed, and also the process of a child developing normally.
The endocrine system aids in the regulation of a human’s basic bodily functions. Given that, these functions can be anything ranging from tissue growth, metabolism, blood pressure, masculinity, femininity, energy storage, heart rate, and many other aspects of human development. Also, the endocrine system consists of key organs in the human body, such as, the pancreas, the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland, the pineal gland, the thyroid gland, the adrenal glands, the ovaries, and the testes. Endocrine glands make up an intricate system, in which, the human brain coordinates and oversees an abundance of bodily functions through the release of specific hormones. These hormones, through chemical messaging, send messages to other parts of the body making it possible for actions to begin or stop together with speeding up or slowing down.
Moreover, some vital hormones that are released effect other hormones, either triggering or preventing the release of other hormones. An example of this could be how the hypothalamus, a link between nervous system and endocrine system which regulates internal environment of the body; controls secretions of the anterior pituitary, which controls secretions of the thyroid, adrenal cortex, and gonads. The hypothalamus releases growth hormones that prompts the pituitary to also release growth hormones. As complex as the endocrine system is, endocrine glands and other systems of the body work together to recognize and make action to sudden changes in a human’s daily life and bodily needs.
Furthermore, as the endocrine system works around the clock sometimes the functioning of endocrine glands does not work accordingly. Since this complex system tells the body when and how much hormones should be secreted, malfunctions may occur. This may lead to diseases, disorders, and can even be life threatening. Granted that, these disorders are often manageable when a good doctor go hand in hand towards a healthier life in patients that have to deal with this.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a one of the most common endocrine disorders. This complex disorder is a result of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats that in some cases lead to untimely death, usually caused by heart attack or stroke. Many people consider this disorder to be considered specifically as a disease of sugar. However, it is more relating to, affecting, or consisting of a vessel or vessels that carry blood throughout the human body. Also, this hormonal disorder is usually classified in patients as type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder in which all the insulin producing cells in the pancreas are demolished, causing patients to be forced to take insulin to live. Patients with type 2 diabetes bodies do create insulin but resist its effects to regulate sugar in the blood. They are not able to create sufficient insulin to regulate glucose levels and this causes metabolic disarray. Patients who live with type 2 diabetes must go through treatment by watching their nutrition, exercise, and medication. About 7 percent of patients living with type 2 diabetes lose their bodily function to make insulin, thus resulting in them having to seek insulin therapy. (Petit and Adamec 2005)
Many risk factors are involved with having diabetes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 18 million people in the United States of America, or 6.3 percent of the population, have diabetes. This data excludes some people who have this disorder but do not realize. In addition, about one in every five adults over 65 have diabetes. There are racial distinctions among patients that contract diabetes. African Americans and Native American are at greater risk than Caucasians to have type 2 diabetes. Caucasians are usually more likely at risk to contract type 1 diabetes. Hispanics have the highest potential risk to contract diabetes. (Petit and Adamec 2005)
Majority of patients with diabetes are diagnosed within the adulthood period of their life. According to the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only 7.2 percent of adults living with diabetes were diagnosed between the time period of birth through age 19. (Petit and Adamec 2005)
Patients with diabetes are greatly advised to seek medical attention by a physician. It is imperative that they understand what is necessary in order to manage their condition. In one study, reported in a 2003 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine, containing patients with diabetes and doctors explaining key concepts to their patents. Research proved that when patients comprehended what their doctors were explaining to them they were more likely to have better glycemic control. This relationship is even more critical for patients who have very little knowledge of their disorder and what steps to take. (Kirkman et. Al, 2012)
Addison’s Disease
This disease was first described in 1885 by Thomas Addison, an English physician. It is characterized by a reduction or absence in the secretion of cortisol, and sometimes presents with an associated reduction or absence of aldosterone and an increase in the levels of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH). The destruction of the adrenal cortex is the result of this.
Addison’s disease is a rare endocrine disorder which results in adrenal insufficiency. It is essential to recognize primary adrenal failure as a result of Addison Disease early in the presentation of symptoms in order to avoid associated morbidity and mortality .
A rare disease, occurring in only 4-11 individuals per 100,000, in childhood it mostly occurs in males (75%). However, in adulthood, it is mostly females which present with this disease (70%). Characteristics of this disease include muscle weakness, weight loss, low blood pressure, fatigue and in some cases, a darkening of the skin .
In the past, the most common cause of Addison Disease was the presence of tuberculosis, but in modern times is it thought to primarily be caused in western society by autoimmune adrenalitis (70-80%), although the balance of cases can be attributed to fungal infections, cytomegalovirus and tuberculosis .
The primary hormone, cortisol, a glucocorticoid, is produced in the adrenal glands and is responsible for numerous responses to stressors and is also thought to have hundreds of other effects on the human body including balancing the effects of insulin in the breakdown of sugars, the regulation of protein, carbohydrate and fat metabolism, the maintenance of blood pressure and cardiovascular function and the slowing of the inflammatory response of the immune system .
Grave’s Disease
Grave’s disease affects about five in every 10,000 people in the United States, and can occur in both males and females at any age; however it is most prevalent amongst females between the ages of 20 and 50 who have a family history of hyperthyroidism. The exact cause of Grave’s disease is unclear, especially when its onset occurs later in life, but it is though to be a combination of a genetic predisposition and a virus. Grave’s disease, named after Irish physician, Robert Graves, is a form of hyperthyroidism which manifests itself in the two most obvious symptoms, bulging eyes and an enlarged thyroid gland. The disease occurs as an autoimmune response to the thyroid gland, causing the gland to enlarge and produce excess thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism).
Symptoms of Grave’s disease include bulging, irritated eyes, goiter, anxiety and irritability, fatigue, difficulty sleeping and breathing, irregular heartbeat, trembling, excessive perspiration and sensitivity to heat . If not treated, Grave’s disease can lead to heart failure due to rapid or irregular heartbeat, swelling behind the eyes (Grave’s opthalmopathy) causing outward bulging, osteoporosis, and increased risk of miscarriage and low birth weight or premature babies .
Grave’s disease is diagnosed through a series of medical tests including a physical examination to detect an enlarged thyroid gland, blood tests to determine the levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroxine (T4) in the blood and a radioactive iodine uptake test which determines the amount of iodine taken up by the thyroid .
Once diagnosed, Grave’s disease can be easily treated by the use of anti-thyroid medication which controls the amount of hormone produced by the thyroid gland and by beta blockers which help to stabilize symptoms such as rapid heart rate, anxiety and trembling.
Bibliography
Australian Addison's Disease Association. What is Addison's? 2006. <http://addisons.org.au/information/what-is-addisons/>.
Bahn, R., Levy, E. and Wartofsky, L. “Graves’ Disease.” The Journal of Clinical Endriconology and Metabolism 92.11 (2007).
Kirkman, M. S., et al. “Diabetes in Older Adults.” Diabetes Care 35.12 (2012): 2650- 64.
O'Connell, S., & Siafarikas, A. “Addison disease: Diagnosis and initial managemen.” Australian Family Physician 39.11 (2010): 834-7.
Petit, William, Adamec, Christine A. The Encyclopedia of Endocrine Diseases and Disorders. New York, NY: Facts on File, 2005.
