Diseases of the Endocrine and Nervous System

Aim: What are some diseases that affect our regulatory systems?

I. Regulatory System Diseases

A. Nervous System Diseases

1. Meningitis - Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. The inflammation is usually caused by bacteria or viruses.

a. Symptoms may include vomiting, headaches, diarrhea, confusion, and fever.

Why can these symptoms be dangerous for someone with meningitis? Lisa, your thoughts?

b. If untreated, meningitis can be fatal.

2. Alzheimer’s Disease – it is a gradual degenerative disease of the brain.

a. Different severities. Usually leads to memory loss, confusion, inability to speak, and loss of appetite.

b. No known cause.

3. Parkinson’s Disease - is a degenerative, progressive neurologic disorder that affects nerve cells in deep parts of your brain that are responsible for relaying messages that plan and control body movement.

b. Symptoms include tremors, stiffness, slowness, and loss of balance.

a. Lack of neurotransmitter dopamine is produced by affected part of brain.

B. Disorders of the Endocrine System

1. Dwarfism - happens primarily when the cartilage in the bones does not grow or divide properly due to the lack of growth hormone.

2. Diabetes – is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. a. TYPE I Diabetes - Results from the body's failure to produce insulin, the hormone that "unlocks" the cells of the body, allowing glucose to enter and fuel them.

Insulin lowers blood sugar levels. How does it do it? Dave, your thoughts on this?

b. Type II Diabetes - Results from insulin resistance (a condition in which the body fails to properly use insulin), combined with relative insulin deficiency. Most Americans who are diagnosed with diabetes have type 2 diabetes.

c. Common symptoms of diabetes are increased thirst, frequent urination, increased hunger, unusual weight loss, fatigue, and irritability. These symptoms are caused by the body's response to high blood sugar levels.

d. Complications of diabetes that affect the eyes, kidneys, heart, blood vessels, and nerves may be present at the time of diagnosis.

Q. Name two disorders of the nervous system?

OK Samantha, you can do this one. Come on up to the board.

Great!!!! Yes, you said meningitis and Alzheimer’s disease. We also discussed Parkinson’s disease. Way to go Sam!!

Q. Which disease is caused by the inability of the body to use insulin properly?

Alright Danielle. You are practically falling out of your seat. Come up and write down the answer.

Yes Danielle, Diabetes is the disease that we are talking about here.

Q. What is the cause of Parkinson’s disease?

Tony P, you’re up!!

Nice try Tony. You were very close. Remember that the brain does not produce enough of the neurotransmitter dopamine that helps relay impulses from nerve to nerve.

Good job kids. Lets work on our Endocrine/Nervous system work sheets.