The following material is assembled from various sources freely available. It is not intended as a comprehensive study of Anatomy, Biology, Endocrinology or any other medical field.
Endocrine System
Facts & Functions
This is the collective name for certain glands that affect almost every organ and cell in the body. They produce hormones to control a range of body systems, e.g. metabolism, growth and development, tissue function, sexual function, reproduction, sleep, mood, and so forth.
They include:
Pituitary Gland
Thyroid Gland
Parathyroid Glands
Adrenal Glands
Pancreas
Ovaries
Glands select and remove materials from the blood. After processing those, the finished chemical product is secreted by the glands for use in specific parts of the body. Although hormones circulate throughout the body, each type of hormone is targeted toward particular organs and tissue.
Diseases
Hormone imbalances often affect the reproductive system, particularly in women. Stress, infection and changes in the blood’s fluid and electrolyte balance influence hormone levels. Too high or too low hormone levels may indicate that the body is not responding to hormones in the appropriate manner.
Infections and medications such as blood thinners can also cause adrenal deficiencies.
Diabetes – 1 of the most common endocrine diseases which occurs when the body does not properly process glucose. This could be due to a lack of insulin; or the body is producing insulin but not dispensing it effectively. Diabetes can be linked to obesity, diet and family history.
Hypoglycaeamia – also known as low blood sugar, or low blood glucose. It occurs when glucose levels drop below normal. This typically happens as a result of diabetes treatment when too much insulin is taken. Yet this condition can sometimes occur in people not suffering from diabetes.
Hypothyroidism – occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone to meet the body’s needs, causing body functions to slow or even shut down completely.
Hyperthyroidism – means the body is producing excessive amounts of thyroid hormones T3 and T4. Since they regulate your metabolism, too high a level will cause symptoms related to a high metabolism. In short, hyperthyroidism speeds up some of your body’s processes.
However, not everyone with hyperthyroidism will experience all of the symptoms listed below. These are possible symptoms that vary based on how long your thyroid gland has been producing too much T3 and T4, how much extra T3 and T4 you have, and your age.
Here’s what you may experience with hyperthyroidism:
– Appetite change (decrease or increase)
– Difficulty sleeping (insomnia)
– Dizziness
– Fatigue
– Fertility problems
– Frequent bowel movement/diarrhoea
– Hair thinning
– Heart palpitations
– Heat intolerance
– Increase in blood sugar
– Increased sweating
– Irritability
– Itching or hives
– Light menstrual periods/missed periods
– Mental disturbances
– Muscle weakness
– Nervousness
– Shortness of breath
– Sudden paralysis
– Tremors/shakiness
– Vision changes
– Weight loss/gain
Thyroid cancer – starts when cells in the thyroid begin to change, grow uncontrollably and eventually form a tumour.
Tumours – both benign and cancerous can disrupt functions of the endocrine system.
At SoundWaves Health Clinic all of these can be assessed, rectified and treated without taking pills, body fluid samples, injections, medication – even surgery very often can be avoided because of our safe and harmless therapy!