What are endocrine disorders?
-a disease caused by hormonal abnormalities.
Endocrine disease is a general term for diseases caused by abnormal secretion of "hormones" produced in the body. Hormones are important substances that regulate various functions of the body, including blood sugar, metabolism, body temperature, blood pressure, and growth. When they are out of balance, various symptoms appear throughout the body.
Endocrine disorders are not uncommon and are familiar diseases that many people may experience, such as diabetes and thyroid disease. This article provides an easy-to-understand explanation of how endocrine disorders work, their symptoms, typical diseases, how they are diagnosed, and their treatment.
What are endocrine disorders?
Endocrine disease is a general term for diseases caused by abnormal secretion of "hormones.
Hormones are important substances that regulate various functions of the body, and when they are out of balance, various symptoms appear throughout the body.
Endocrine disorders are not uncommon and are familiar diseases that many people may experience, such as diabetes and thyroid disease.
What are Hormones?
Hormones are substances produced in the body and carried throughout the body through the bloodstream to regulate body functions.
Hormones act like "commanders that regulate the body's condition.
For example, hormones have the following roles
...regulate blood glucose levels.
Regulate metabolism (energy usage)
・Stimulate growth and development
Regulate blood pressure
Regulate body temperature
Regulate electrolytes (minerals)
Dealing with Stress
... regulate sexual and reproductive functions.
All of these functions are controlled by hormones.
Organs that produce hormones (endocrine organs)
The organs that produce hormones are called "endocrine organs.
The major endocrine organs include
Pituitary body
It is located at the bottom of the brain and serves as a "command post" that directs other endocrine organs.
Thyroid gland
It is located in front of the neck and secretes hormones that regulate metabolism.
Parathyroid
Regulates calcium balance.
Pancreas
It secretes insulin and other substances that lower blood glucose levels.
Adrenal glands
It is located above the kidneys and secretes hormones related to blood pressure and stress.
Gonads (testes and ovaries)
Secretes sex hormones.
Proper functioning of these organs keeps the body in balance.
Endocrine disorders are caused by "too much or too little hormone".
Endocrine disorders can occur either when there is too much (excess) or too little (deficiency) of a hormone.
Disease with too many hormones
Graves' disease (excessive thyroid hormones)
Cushing's syndrome (excess adrenal hormones)
Disease with too few hormones
Hashimoto's disease (which can lead to thyroid hormone deficiency)
Adrenal insufficiency (adrenal hormone deficiency)
Thus, hormonal imbalances can cause disease.
Symptoms of Endocrine Disorders
Because hormones act throughout the body, symptoms vary.
Typical symptoms include the following
...Tired easily
Weight gain or loss
Pulsation
Hot and cold
Swelling
Abnormal blood pressure
Thirst
Polyuria
Menstrual abnormalities
These symptoms often appear in the form of "I feel kind of sick" and can be seen in other diseases, so endocrine disorders are sometimes overlooked.
However, it can often be improved with proper diagnosis and treatment.
Typical Endocrine Diseases
Typical endocrine disorders include the following
Diabetes mellitus
Thyroid diseases such as Graves' disease and Hashimoto's disease
Adrenal Diseases
Pituitary disorders
Parathyroid disorders
Part of osteoporosis
These are relatively frequent diseases.
Early detection and appropriate treatment are especially important for thyroid disease and diabetes.
Diagnosis of endocrine disorders
Many endocrine disorders can be diagnosed by blood or urine tests for hormone levels.
Sometimes a normal blood test is not enough to accurately determine the hormone status, so a test called a stress test may be performed. This is a test in which a hormone-stimulating drug is administered and changes in blood and urine are examined.
In addition, the following tests will be performed as needed
Ultrasonography
CT scan
MRI scan
Treatment of endocrine disorders
A relatively large number of endocrine disorders are benign and can often be controlled with appropriate treatment.
Treatment methods vary from disease to disease, but the main ones are as follows
Improvement of lifestyle
Drug Therapy
Radiation Therapy
Surgery
Early diagnosis and treatment can help maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Medical treatment at our clinic
Ikejiri-Ohashi Sera Clinic has endocrinologists on staff to treat a variety of endocrine disorders.
If an endocrine disorder is suspected based on symptoms or physical condition, necessary tests, mainly blood tests, are performed to make a diagnosis. If treatment is necessary, lifestyle guidance and drug therapy will be provided.
If hospitalization, special tests, surgery, or radiotherapy are required, we will refer you to our affiliated specialized medical institutions.
Endocrine disorders can manifest as everyday symptoms such as fatigue and weight changes. Endocrine disorders may be hidden in symptoms that are thought to be "age-related" or "just tired."
If you have any symptoms of concern, please contact us as soon as possible.
[Endocrine disorders are also discussed in more detail in the following article.
Diabetes Symptoms and Complications
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