Endocrine System Diseases

Endocrine System Diseases

Endocrine diseases are the diseases of the endocrine system. Endocrine System Diseases can be broadly classified into three categories.

1. Hyper-secretion of the endocrine glands

2. Hypo-secrection of endocrine gland

3. Tumours of the endocrine gland.

Adrenal disorders, glucose homeostasis disorders, thyroid disorders, calcium homeostasis disorders, pituitary and sex hormone disorders are some of the most common disorders found.

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Common Diseases of the Endocrine System

Your endocrine system includes eight major glands throughout your body. These glands make hormones, which are chemical messengers that travel through your bloodstream to tissues or organs. Hormones work slowly and affect body processes from head to toe. These include

• Growth and development
• Metabolism - digestion, elimination, breathing, blood circulation and maintaining body temperature
• Sexual function
• Reproduction
• Mood

If your hormone levels are too high or too low, you may have a hormone disorder. Hormone diseases also occur if your body does not respond to hormones the way it is supposed to. Stress, infection and changes in your blood's fluid and electrolyte balance can also influence hormone levels.

In the U.S., the most common endocrine disease is diabetes. There are many others. They are usually treated by controlling how much hormone your body makes. Hormone supplements can help if the problem is too little of a hormone.

Some endocrine diseases are:

• Hypothyroidism
• Thyroid Cancer
• Hypoglycaemia
• Metabolic Disorder

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone to meet the body’s needs. Without enough thyroid hormone, many of the body’s functions slow down. 

Thyroid Cancer

Thyroid cancer begins in the thyroid gland and starts when the cells in the thyroid begin to change, grow uncontrollably, and eventually form a tumor. There are two types of tumors: benign (noncancerous) and malignant (cancerous, meaning that it can spread to other parts of the body). 

Hypoglycaemia

Hypoglycemia, also called low blood glucose or low blood sugar, occurs when blood glucose drops below normal levels. Glucose, an important source of energy for the body, comes from food. Carbohydrates are the main dietary source of glucose. In adults and children older than 10 years, hypoglycemia is uncommon except as a side effect of diabetes treatment. 

Metabolic Disorder

Metabolism is the process your body uses to get or make energy from the food you eat. Chemicals in your digestive system break the food parts down into sugars and acids, your body's fuel. A metabolic disorder occurs when abnormal chemical reactions in your body disrupt this process. When this happens, you might have too much of some substances or too little of other ones that you need to stay healthy. You can develop a metabolic disorder when some organs, such as your liver or pancreas, become diseased or do not function normally. Diabetes is an example.