Endocrine Glands Disorders
Some of the disorders of the endocrine glands are:
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone, leading to symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, sensitivity to cold, and constipation. It can result from iodine deficiency, autoimmune disease, or thyroid surgery.
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism is the overproduction of thyroid hormone, causing symptoms like weight loss, rapid heartbeat, sweating, and anxiety. Graves’ disease, an autoimmune disorder, is a common cause, as well as thyroid nodules and inflammation.
Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by high blood sugar levels. Type 1 diabetes occurs due to the immune system attacking insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, while type 2 diabetes results from insulin resistance or insufficient insulin production.
Addison’s Disease
Addison’s disease occurs when the adrenal glands don’t produce enough cortisol and sometimes aldosterone. Symptoms include fatigue, weight loss, low blood pressure, darkening of the skin, and salt cravings. It’s usually caused by autoimmune destruction of the adrenal glands.
Cushing’s Syndrome
Cushing’s syndrome is characterized by prolonged exposure to high levels of cortisol. It can result from excessive use of corticosteroid medications or overproduction of cortisol by the adrenal glands. Symptoms include weight gain, central obesity, thinning of the skin, and muscle weakness.
Hypoparathyroidism
Hypoparathyroidism occurs when the parathyroid glands produce too little parathyroid hormone (PTH), leading to low calcium levels in the blood. Symptoms include muscle cramps, tingling sensations, seizures, and weakened bones. It can be caused by surgery, autoimmune disease, or genetic factors.
Hyperparathyroidism
Hyperparathyroidism is characterized by excessive production of parathyroid hormone (PTH), leading to high calcium levels in the blood. It can result from a benign tumor in one or more of the parathyroid glands or from kidney disease. Symptoms include kidney stones, bone pain, fatigue, and digestive issues.
Endocrine System
Endocrine Glands are glands that secrete hormones into the bloodstream that are directly transported to the targeted organ, unlike exocrine glands which secrete hormones through ducts. Examples of endocrine glands are the pancreas, pituitary, thyroid, and adrenal glands. The endocrine gland’s functions include metabolism, growth and development, reproduction, stress response, and homeostasis maintenance. In this article, we will cover endocrine gland’s parts and functions along with the hormones secreted by them.
Table of Content
- Endocrine Glands
- What is Endocrine System?
- Anatomy of Endocrine System
- Hypothalamus
- Pituitary Gland
- Thyroid Gland
- Parathyroid Glands
- Adrenal Glands
- Pineal body
- Pancreas
- Ovary
- Testis
- Hormones of Hypothalamus
- List of Endocrine Glands and Their Hormones
- Functions of Endocrine Gland
- Endocrine Glands Disorders
- Difference between Endocrine and Exocrine Gland