Endocrine System Diseases

Elizabeth Carreon

Mariana Castillo

Zaira Cardona

Endocrine System

The endocrine system is composed of a network of organs and glands responsible for producing, storing, and secreting hormones that help to maintain and control vital functions such as growth, reproduction, and energy levels. There are several endocrine system diseases that result from disruptions in this complex system:

DIABETESOne of the more prevalent endocrine system diseases, diabetes is a condition in which the pancreas does not produce enough of the hormone insulin or the body does not effectively use the insulin it does produce. Because insulin is instrumental in helping the body convert sugars and starches into necessary energy, there can be serious consequences if diabetes is left undiagnosed and/or untreated.

SymptomsCommon symptoms of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes include:

-Fatigue, constantly tired-Unexplained weight loss-Excessive thirst (polydipsia) -Excessive urination (polyuria) -Excessive eating (polyphagia)-Poor wound healing -Infections-Altered mental status-Blurry vision

Growth DisordersGiven that the endocrine system regulates growth processes, endocrine system diseases often result in growth disorders. If the body produces too much growth hormone (GH), gigantism or acromegaly (gigantism in adults) can occur; too little growth hormone results a condition called growth hormone deficiency, or GHD, which can cause children to grow more slowly than normal.

A more common growth disorder is growth hormone deficiency (GHD). This is the condition of having too little GH. There are several possible explanations for its occurrence:A child can be born with GHD.The condition also may arise because of damage to the hypothalamus or pituitary gland as a child or adult because of a tumor, an infection, or radiation to the brain — usually for the treatment of a tumor.A deficiency in GH may also have an undefined cause. (In this case, it is said to be of idiopathic origin.)

COMMON GROWTH DISORDER

OsteoporosisOsteoporosis, which occurs in both women and men (although the former are four times more likely to develop the disease), is a condition in which bones become fragile and more likely to break. This can be the result of many factors including a decrease in the hormone estrogen occurring during menopause in women, or a decrease in testosterone occurring in men as they age. Because osteoporosis often has no obvious symptoms, it is often left undiagnosed until the person affected suffers a broken or fractured bone during a minor fall.

Too much or too little of certain hormones in the body can contribute to osteopenia and osteoporosis.During and after menopause, the ovaries make much less of the hormone estrogen. Estrogen loss may also occur with surgical removal of the ovaries or because of excessive dieting and exercise. Estrogen helps protect bone.

Men produce less testosterone (and estrogen—produced in small amounts in males) as they age. Reductions in these hormones may also contribute to bone loss.

Bone loss can result from the damaging effects of excess cortisol, as occurs in Cushing’s syndrome. Sometimes the adrenal glands produce excess cortisol because of a pituitary gland or other tumor. More commonly, Cushing's syndrome develops as a result of long-term use of corticosteroid medications (steroids) such as prednisone and cortisone, used to treat inflammatory disorders like rheumatoid arthritis or asthma.

What role do hormones play in bone disease?

Also referred to as PCOS, polycystic ovary syndrome is one of the more common endocrine system diseases, affecting between 7% to 10% of women aged 15 to 45. PCOS is a condition associated with symptoms of infrequent or irregular menstruation, male hormone excess symptoms like hirsutism (increased and unwanted hair growth) and acne and difficulty to conceive. Patients with PCOS can also have multiple egg-containing cysts on the ovaries. They are higher risk for metabolic complications like diabetes and hypertension.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Symptoms

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome affects several body systems, putting women at increased risk for problems such as diabetes, heart disease, and certain kinds of cancer. The first signs of the disorder often present themselves at puberty with irregular or absent menstrual cycles. Other obvious signs include acne, abnormal facial and bodily hair growth, and thinning of hair on the scalp. While thin women can have polycystic ovary syndrome, weight gain is more likely. Some women with PCOS also suffer from depression, most likely because of their symptoms. Because women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ovulate (release an egg monthly) infrequently, they often have difficulty getting pregnant when desired and are often diagnosed when they cannot conceive

Thyroid Disorders

Thyroid hormones, hormones produced by the thyroid gland, influence nearly all of the body's symptoms. Thyroid problems include hyperthyroidism (too much thyroid hormone), hypothyroidism (too little thyroid hormone), thyroid nodules, thyroid cancer, and more.

Cushing´s Syndrome

Cushing's syndrome, less common than the endocrine system diseases , occurs as the result of too much cortisol in the blood for an extended period of time. Cortisol is a hormone that, in normal amounts, helps the body perform a number of important functions including converting fat into energy, maintaining immune system function, and responding to stress.

SYMPTOMS:• Weight gain• Muscle loss and weakness• Easily-bruised, fragile skin• Reduced sex drive• Depression/inability to think clearly

TYPES:-exogenous (from an outside source)-endogenous (from a source within the body), share a common list of symptoms but different causes. The Exogenous occurs in patients taking cortisol-like medications, and is temporary, ceasing when the patient has finished the course of medication. The Endogenous form of this endocrine system disease is far rarer, and results from a tumor or tumors either on the adrenal glands or the pituitary gland.

Addison´s DiseaseAddison's disease, also among the rare endocrine system diseases, occurs in fewer than 150 people in a million. Also referred to as primary adrenal insufficiency, Addison's disease occurs when the adrenal glands, which are located at the top of each kidney, produce an insufficient amount of steroid hormones despite the presence of an adequate amount of ACTH, the hormone that triggers the adrenal glands to release steroids.

SYMPTOMS:• Fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite• Muscle and joint pain• Gastrointestinal problems (nausea,

vomiting, etc.)• Darkening of the skin on the face, neck,

and back of hands• Low blood pressure• A craving for salt

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