The Endocrine system is a structure of glands that generate and discharge hormones that assist in controlling various imperative functions of the body, involving the function of converting calories into energy in the body. The endocrine systems influence fertility, how the heart beats and how the bones and tissues develop in the body. It has a huge part in determining if a person will develop diabetes, sexual dysfunctions, growth disorders, thyroid diseases and other disorders associated with hormones.
Every single gland of the endocrine system discharges particular hormones into the bloodstream which then travels to various cells through blood and generates various functions in the body.
The endocrine gland consists of:
• Pituitary gland- a gland that is present at the base of the brain at the back of the sinuses. Due to its ability of influencing various glands like the thyroid gland, it is known as the master gland. Damage to the pituitary gland can result in issues with menstrual cycle and bone growth.
• Ovaries- the reproductive gland organs in women that discharge eggs and generate sex hormones.
• Parathyroid- four small glands that are present in the neck and assist in the development of bones.
• Adrenal glands- two glands located at the top of kidneys that discharge the hormone cortisol.
• Thyroid- a gland that is butterfly-shaped and present in the front of the neck and is responsible for controlling metabolism.
• Thymus- a gland present in the upper chest that assists in building the immune system of the body in early stages.
• Pineal gland- a gland which is present in the middle of the brain and is responsible to control sleep patterns.
Endocrine Disorders
Disorders of the endocrine system are normally classified in two categories;
1. Due to the growth of lesions in the endocrine system that leads to endocrine diseases, which may or may not influence the levels of the hormones.
2. Endocrine glands generating too much or too less of an endocrine hormone which leads to hormonal imbalance.
The feedback system of the endocrine gland assists in balancing hormones in the bloodstream. If the body has too less or too much of the specific hormone, the feedback system sends signals to the suitable gland in order to correct the imbalance. When the feedback systems faces difficulty to maintain the balance, hormonal imbalances may be caused. High or low levels of endocrine hormones may be a result of infection, problems with the feedback system, disease, and injury to the endocrine gland, genetic disorder, and tumor of an endocrine gland.
Testing of Endocrine Disorders
Endocrinologists are particularly trained for issues with the endocrine system. The signs of an endocrine disorder depend on the various glands involved. The common signs that most people complain about are weakness and fatigue. Blood tests and urine help the doctors to determine the actual problem with all the imperative details. Imaging tests help in detecting tumors. Change in q one hormone can affect another; due to this reason the treatments of endocrine issues may be complex.