Diseases Caused by the Endocrine System
There are many diseases that are caused by this system. A few of the diseases are: Diabetes, Growth Disorders, Osteoporosis, Pituitary Disorders, and Thyroid Disorders.
Diabetes
There are two types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2. This disease is occurs when not enough insulin (hormone) is produced by the pancreas. Whereas insulin is needed to carry sugar to cells. Some symptoms to know if you have diabetes may be: 1) being very thirsty 2) sudden weight loss 3) blurry vision 4) skin, bladder, or gum infections 5) increased hunger. Causes: In type 1 diabetes, the body cannot produce anymore insulin because the location where insulin is made, has been destroyed by the body's own self. Type 2 diabetes has been caused by either obesity, genetic risk factors, and inactivity. Diagnosis: Any of the following three tests may be used for diagnosing diabetes: A1C test, fasting plasma glucose test, oral glucose tolerance test, or the random plasma glucose test. Treatment: There is no real cure for diabetes. Treatment happens through long term goals. You have to take care of what and how you eat, how often you take insulin tablets, how to record your glucose level, and how to test your urine. You're going to want to set your goals based on: prolong life, reducing the symptoms, and preventing diabetes related complications like blindness, heart disease, kidney failure, or amputation of limbs.
Growth Disorders
Growth disorders is a problem in ages of infants, children, or teenagers that prevents them from growing. Symptoms: If you're having constant headaches, numbness or burning in hands or feet, high blood pressure, menstrual disorders, vision problems, orpsychological problems, you may be at risk for a growth disorder. Causes: genetics, hormonal disorders, systematic illnesses, or poor absorption of food. Treatment: surgery, medication, pituitary irradiation, long-term follow up and prognosis, or growth hormone deficiency and treatment.
Osteoporosis
You don't know that you have osteoporosis until a bone fractures. Osteoporosis is a disease where your bones become fragile and can fracture. Symptoms: severe back pain, height loss, random pains, or thinned bones. Causes: women- estrogen deficiency; men- low estrogen and testosterone. Diagnosis: some tests that you can take are: DEXA scan, beyond DEXA scan, use blood tests markers, or a bone densitometry test. Treatment: change diet and exercise, take calcium and vitamin D, or use medications.
Pituitary Disorders
In pituitary disorders, it's possible to have too little, or too many hormones. Symptoms: headaches, vision loss (most likely in peripheral vision), nausea, body hair loss, frequent or less menstrual cycles, or unintended weight loss or gain. Causes: mutations, trauma, or impaired blood supply. Diagnosis: ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic Hormone) Test, FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone) Test, Growth Hormone Test, or IGF-1 (Insulin-Like Growth Factor -1) Test. Treatment: Hormone Replacement Therapy- for tumors that occur because of a lack of a hormone, Surgery- to remove all pituitary tumors, or Radiation Therapy- which is done looking at the size and shape of the tumor.
Thyroid Disorders
The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland that sits in the next and is the master gland of metabolism. When your thyroid isn't functioning, it affects your health, weight, depression and energy levels. Symptoms: muscle and joint pains, neck discomfort, menstrual irregularities, family history, cholesterol issues, depression and anxiety, weight changes, or fatigue. Causes: graves' disease, pituitary gland malfunctions, cancerous growths in the thyroid gland, or removal of thyroid gland. Diagnosis: clinical evaluation- detecting the disease, thyroid blood tests, thyroid imaging tests, self-tests, or thyroid biopsy/aspiration- a needle gets injected into the lump and diagnoses for thyroid cancer. Treatment: Hypothyroidism Treatment- conducted by replacing the missing hormone, or Hyperthyroidism/Graves' Disease Treatment- reducing excess hormone levels.
Learn how to check for the disease at home, by yourself! Very informational video!