The Endocrine System

THE ENDOCRINE SYSTEM

refers to the collection of glands of an organism that secrete hormones directly into the circulatory system  to be carried towards distant target organs.

The Major

Endocrine

Glands in The Body

Hypothalamus

The Hypothalamus is found at the base of your brain.

It produces hormones that help turn on and off the other endocrine glands.

It is the link between the nervous system and the endocrine system.

Therefore, the hypothalamus knows about the sensation you are aware of, like the smell of beautiful flower or the picturesque view while controlling those thing that you are not aware of, like the levels of hormones in your body or your internal temperature.

Pituitary Gland

The pituitary gland or hypophysis is a pea-sized gland found in the center of the skin, right behind the bridge of the nose, below the hypothalamus of the brain.

It is an important gland in the body and it is often referred to as the 'master gland', because it controls several of the other hormone glands 

The Pituitary Gland is divided into anterior pituitary and posterior pituitary gland

The anterior pituitary makes several important hormones - growth hormone, puberty, thyroid stimulating, prolactin and Adrenocorticotrophic Hormone

The posterior pituitary makes the fluid balance hormone called anti-diuretic hormone (ADH).

Thyroid Gland

The Thyroid Gland is located just under your larynx or voice box.

The Thyroid secretes 3 hormones T3(Triiodothyronine),T4 Thyroxine) and Calcitonin

Both T3 and T4 contain the iodine element which regulate metabolism and play a crucial role in development and maturation.

An excess of T3 and T4 in the blood can lead to Hyperthyroidism which can make a person develop high blood pressure. On the other hand, insufficient amount of these hormones in the body can lead to Hypothyroidism causing weight gain, lethargy and intolerance to cold.

Calcitonin lowers down the blood calcium level in the body.

Parathyroid Glands

Parathyroid glands are four tiny glands embedded on the surface of the thyroid.

These glands release the parathyroid hormone which together with calcitonin , regulate blood calcium levels in the body in an antagonistic manner since they have opposite effects.

Calcium is a mineral the keeps your nerves and muscles working properly.

Thymus

The Thymus is found just behind your breastbone.

When you were still young the thymus was very large producing white blood cells that protect body tissues, triggering an immune response against infectious agents.But it gradually decreased in size as you were getting older because other glands in the body take over its job.

By the time you reach adulthood, the thymus will have shrunk to about the size of your tomb.

The Thymus is responsible for the development of the defense system of our body against disease-causing organisms.

Adrenal

The word adrenal means, “above” (ad) “The Kidney” (renal). That is why each adrenal is located at the top of each kidneys.

Adrenaline, the hormone it produces, is part of the body’s emergency action team.

Whenever you are in a dangerous situation, the senses send signals to the brain, alerting the body and warning you of danger.

The brain also alerts the adrenal glands to produce adrenaline, which sometimes gives superhuman powers.

This is evident during fire when people can lift heavy objects beyond their means which they can no longer lift after everything returns in normal. This happens because by then the supply of adrenaline have faded away.

Pancreas

Although part of the digestive system, the pancreas is also a part of endocrine system.

It produces two types of hormones , insulin and glucagon.

Insulin is produced by small group of cells called Islets of lagerhans within the body. It play important role in keeping the level of sugar(glucose) in the bloodstream under control.

Glucagon, on the other hand, does exactly the opposite of insulin. It increases the level of sugar in the body by speeding up the conversion of gylcogen to sugar in the liver

Both these hormones ensures that the sugar level in the blood is always the right level. If the sugar level in the blood drops the pancreas release more glucagon to make up for the loss. If the sugar level in the blood rises, the pancreas releases more insulin to get rid the excess sugar.

Gonads

The human reproductive organs are collectively known as gonads.

The female reproductive organs called ovaries, while the male reproductive organs are called testes.

Both of the testes and ovaries produce sex hormones responsible for the secondary sexual characteristics that you experience at the start of your teen years.

The testes produce testosterone while the ovaries produce estrogen and progesterone.

The testes produce testosterone while the ovaries produce estrogen and progesterone.

Pineal Gland

The pineal Gland is located near the thalamus of the brain.It produces melatonin which regulates body rhythms and sleep patterns

Diseases Associated

with Endocrine System

Thyroid Cancer

Thyroid cancer is a disease that you get when abnormal cells begin to grow in your thyroid gland

CAUSES:

It's not clear what causes thyroid cancer.

Thyroid cancer occurs when cells in your thyroid undergo genetic changes (mutations).

Symptoms

You may get a lump or swelling in your neck. This is the most common symptom. You may have pain in your neck and sometimes in your ears.You may have trouble swallowing.You may have trouble breathing or have constant wheezing.Your voice may be hoarse.You may have a frequent cough that is not related to a cold.

Preventions

Doctors aren't sure what causes most cases of thyroid cancer, so there's no way to prevent thyroid cancer in people who have an average risk of the disease.

Prevention for people with a high risk

Adults and children with an inherited gene mutation that increases the risk of medullary thyroid cancer are often advised to have thyroid surgery to prevent cancer (prophylactic thyroidectomy). 

Prevention for people near nuclear power plants

Fallout from an accident at a nuclear power plant could cause thyroid cancer in people living nearby.

Diabetes

Often referred to by doctors as diabetes mellitus, describes a group of metabolic diseases in which the person has high blood glucose (blood sugar), either because insulin production is inadequate, or because the body's cells do not respond properly to insulin, or both.

There are three types of diabetes:

Type 1 diabetes

The body does not produce insulin. Some people may refer to this type as insulin-dependent diabetes, juvenile diabetes, orearly-onset diabetes. People usually develop type 1 diabetes before their 40th year, often in early adulthood or teenage years.

Type 2 diabetes

The body does not produce enough insulin for proper function, or the cells in the body do not react to insulin (insulin resistance).

Gestational diabetesThis type affects females during pregnancy. Some women have very high levels of glucose in their blood, and their bodies are unable to produce enough insulin to

transport all of the glucose into their cells, resulting in progressively rising levels of glucose.

Causes

Type 1 diabetes is caused by a lack of insulin due to the destruction of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas

Type 2 diabetes—the most common form of diabetes—is caused by a combination of factors, including insulin resistance, a condition in which the body’s muscle, fat, and liver cells do not use insulin effectively. Type 2 diabetes develops when the body can no longer produce enough insulin to compensate for the impaired ability to use insulin.

Scientists believe gestational diabetes is caused by the hormonal changes and metabolic demands of pregnancy together with genetic and environmental factors.

Symptoms

The average person usually has to pee between four and seven times in 24 hours, but people with diabetes may go a lot more.This can make you more hungry and tired than usual Changing fluid levels in your body could make the lenses in your eyes swell up. They change shape and lose their ability to focus.

Preventions

Get more physical activityGet plenty of fiberGo for whole grainsLose extra weightSkip fad diets and just make healthier choices

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis means "porous bone," and it's a disorder characterized by "holey" bones. This might be confusing because if you viewed a healthy bone under a microscope, it would have gaps similar to those in a honeycomb. But an osteoporotic bone contains much bigger spaces than healthy bones

Causes

Heredity also plays a role. If one of your parents had osteoporosis Alcohol consumption Drinking a lot of alcohol reduces the amount of calcium available to your bones, increases parathyroid hormone, a type of hormone that additionally reduces calcium, and prevents your body from absorbing vitamin D, which is also necessary for bone formation.  Cigarette smoking There are many ways in which smoking can increase the risk of osteoporosis, starting with the fact that nicotine is toxic to bone cells. Smoking also interferes with the body’s use of calcium and alters estrogen levels, which can increase osteoporosis risk. Inactivity People who are confined to bed, are unable to participate in weight-bearing exercise, or simply don’t exercise regularly are at risk for bone loss and osteoporosis. Lead exposure Poor diet

Symptoms

Back pain, caused by a fractured or collapsed vertebra Loss of height over time A stooped posture A bone fracture that occurs much more easily than expected

Preventions

Adequate amounts of calcium Adequate amounts of vitamin D Regular exercise

Goiter

is an abnormal enlargement of your thyroid gland. Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of your neck just below your Adam's apple. Although goiters are usually painless, a large goiter can cause a cough and make it difficult for you to swallow or breathe.

Causes

Iodine deficiency Although a lack of dietary iodine is the main cause of goiter in many parts of the world, this is not often the case in countries where iodine is routinely added to table salt and other foods. Graves' disease

Goiter can sometimes occur when your thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism). In Graves' disease, antibodies produced by your immune system mistakenly attack your thyroid gland, causing it to produce excess thyroxine. Hashimoto's disease   

Goiter can also result from an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism). Like Graves' disease, Hashimoto's disease is an autoimmune disorder. But instead of causing your thyroid to produce too much hormone, Hashimoto's damages your thyroid so that it produces too little. Pregnancy A hormone produced during pregnancy, human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), may cause your thyroid gland to enlarge slightly.

Symptoms

A visible swelling at the base of your neck that may be particularly obvious when you shave or put on makeup

A tight feeling in your throat

Coughing

Hoarseness

Difficulty swallowing

Difficulty breathing

Preventions

Salt can be easily iodinated. It is a good vehicle to ensure adequate daily supply of iodine. Make sure you eat iodized salt, especially if you are staying in areas where the soil is deficient in iodine.

Eat Seafood containing iodine such as sea weed, shrimps, shell fish, etc. Fruits and vegetables also contain iodine if they are grown near coastal area. Prevent over exposure of radiation if you are working in radiation department facilities or if you are on radiation treatment. Goiter prevention is possible by avoiding certain anti-retroviral and immune-suppressant medications.

Obesity

is a complex disorder involving an excessive amount of body fat. Obesity isn't just a cosmetic concern. It increases your risk of diseases and health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure.

CausesInactivity

  If you're not very active, you don't burn as many calories. With a sedentary lifestyle, you can easily take in more calories every day than you use through exercise and normal daily activities.

Unhealthy diet and eating habits

Weight gain is inevitable if you regularly eat more calories than you burn. And most Americans' diets are too high in calories and are full of fast food and high-calorie beverages.

Symptoms

Obesity is diagnosed when your body mass index (BMI) is 30 or higher. 

Preventions

Follow a healthy eating plan. Make healthy food choices, keep your calorie needs and your family's calorie needs in mind, and focus on the balance of energy IN and energy OUT.

Be active. Make personal and family time active. Find activities that everyone will enjoy. For example, go for a brisk walk, bike or rollerblade, or train together for a walk or run.

Reduce screen time. Limit the use of TVs, computers, DVDs, and videogames because they limit time for physical activity. Health experts recommend 2 hours or less a day of screen time that's not work- or homework-related.

THAT’S ALL FOLKS