Download Endocrine System Disorders

Endocrine System Disorders
Endocrine System Disorders
The adrenals are two very important organs of the body.
They are mainly responsible for releasing two (among
others) important kinds of hormones directly related to
stress and the bodies ability to deal with it: cortisol and
adrenaline. These hormones are important to the body for
different reasons such as maintaining the metabolic rate
of the digestive system, allowing for a healthy pregnancy
for both the mother and the baby, sending the flight or
fight response signals to the person, and even play a part
in sexual maturity and reproduction.
But because the systems of the body can go hayware, there are instances wherein the
adrenal glands produce deficits or too much of a certain type of hormone. Note that
the body needs different hormones in order to do different types of functions. Here are
some of the common adrenal gland disorders which you may come across:
Acromegaly – Acromegaly is a hormonal disorder that results from too much growth
hormone (GH) in the body. The pituitary, a small gland in the brain, makes GH. In
acromegaly, the pituitary produces excessive amounts of GH. Usually the excess GH
comes from benign, or noncancerous, tumors on the pituitary. These benign tumors are
called adenomas. Acromegaly is most often diagnosed in middle-aged adults, although
symptoms can appear at any age. If not treated, acromegaly can result in serious illness
and premature death. Acromegaly is treatable in most patients, but because of its slow
and often “sneaky” onset, it often is not diagnosed early or correctly. The most serious
health consequences of acromegaly are type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, increased
risk of cardiovascular disease, and arthritis. Patients with acromegaly are also at
increased risk for colon polyps, which may develop into colon cancer if not
removed. When GH-producing tumors occur in childhood, the disease that results is
called gigantism rather than acromegaly. A child’s height is determined by the length
of the so-called long bones in the legs. In response to GH, these bones grow in length
at the growth plates—areas near either end of the bone. Growth plates fuse after
puberty, so the excessive GH production in adults does not result in increased height.
However, prolonged exposure to excess GH before the growth plates fuse causes
increased growth of the long bones and thus increased height. Pediatricians may
become concerned about this possibility if a child’s growth rate suddenly and markedly
increases beyond what would be predicted by previous growth and how tall the child’s
parents are.
Hyperglycemia – Hyperglycemia means high blood sugar or glucose. Glucose comes
from the foods you eat. Insulin is a hormone that moves glucose into your cells to give
them energy. Hyperglycemia happens when your body doesn’t make enough insulin or
can’t use it the right way. People with diabetes can get hyperglycemia from not eating
the right foods or not taking medicines correctly. Other problems that can raise blood
sugar include infections, certain medicines, hormone imbalances, or severe illnesses.
Parathyroid Diseases – Most people have
four pea-sized glands, called parathyroid glands, on the thyroid gland in the neck.
Though their names are similar, the thyroid and parathyroid glands are completely
different. The parathyroid glands make parathyroid hormone (PTH), which helps your
body keep the right balance of calcium and phosphorous. If your parathyroid glands
make too much or too little hormone, it disrupts this balance. If they secrete extra PTH,
you have hyperparathyroidism, and your blood calcium rises. In many cases, a benign
tumor on a parathyroid gland makes it overactive. Or, the extra hormones can come
from enlarged parathyroid glands. Very rarely, the cause is cancer. If you do not have
enough PTH, you have hypoparathyroidism. Your blood will have too little calcium and
too much phosphorous. Causes include injury to the glands, endocrine disorders, or
genetic conditions. Treatment is aimed at restoring the balance of calcium and
phosphorous.
Addison’s Disease – Your adrenal glands are just above your kidneys. The outside layer
of these glands makes hormones that help your body respond to stress and regulate
your blood pressure and water and salt balance. Addison disease happens if the adrenal
glands don’t make enough of these hormones. A problem with your immune system
usually causes Addison disease. The immune system mistakenly attacks your own tissues,
damaging your adrenal glands. Other causes include infections and cancer. Symptoms
include weight loss, muscle weakness, fatigue that gets worse over time, low blood
pressure, patchy or dark skin. Lab tests can confirm that you have Addison disease. If
you don’t treat it, it can be fatal.
Hyperparathyroidism – Most people have
four pea-sized glands, called parathyroid
glands, on the thyroid gland in the neck.
Though their names are similar, the thyroid
and parathyroid glands are completely
different. The parathyroid glands make
parathyroid hormone (PTH), which helps
your body keep the right balance of calcium
and phosphorous. If your parathyroid glands
make too much or too little hormone, it
disrupts this balance. If they secrete extra
PTH, you have hyperparathyroidism, and
your blood calcium rises. In many cases, a
benign tumor on a parathyroid gland makes it overactive. Or, the extra hormones can
come from enlarged parathyroid glands. Very rarely, the cause is cancer. If you do not
have enough PTH, you have hypoparathyroidism. Your blood will have too little calcium
and too much phosphorous. Causes include injury to the glands, endocrine disorders, or
genetic conditions. Treatment is aimed at restoring the balance of calcium and
phosphorous.
Pheochromocytoma – Pheochromocytoma is a rare tumor that usually starts in the cells
of one of your adrenal glands. Although they are usually benign, pheochromocytomas
often cause the adrenal gland to make too many hormones. This can lead to high blood
pressure and cause symptoms such as headaches, sweating, pounding of the heart,
being shaky, and or being extremely pale. Sometimes pheochromocytoma is part of
another condition called multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome (MEN). People with
MEN often have other cancers and other problems involving hormones. Doctors use lab
tests and imaging tests to diagnose it. Surgery is the most common treatment. Other
options include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy. Targeted
therapy uses substances that attack cancer cells without harming normal cells.
Adrenal Cancer – Your adrenal, or suprarenal, glands are located on the top of each
kidney. These glands produce hormones that you can’t live without, including sex
hormones and cortisol, which helps you respond to stress and has many other
functions. A number of disorders can affect the adrenal glands, including tumors.
Tumors can be either benign or malignant. Benign tumors aren’t cancer. Malignant ones
are. Most adrenal gland tumors are benign. They usually do not cause symptoms and
may not require treatment. Malignant adrenal gland cancers are uncommon. Types of
tumors include Adrenocortical carcinoma – cancer in the outer part of the gland,
Neuroblastoma, a type of childhood cancer or Pheochromocytoma, a rare tumor that is
usually benign. Symptoms depend on the type of cancer you have. Treatments may
include surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy.
Hyperthyroidism – Your thyroid is
a butterfly-shaped gland in your
neck, just above your collarbone.
It is one of your endocrine glands,
which make hormones. Thyroid
hormones control the rate of
many activities in your body.
These include how fast you burn
calories and how fast your heart
beats. All of these activities are
your body’s metabolism. If your
thyroid is too active, it makes
more thyroid hormones than your
body needs. This is called
hyperthyroidism. Hyperthyroidism is more common in women, people with other
thyroid problems, and those over 60 years old. Grave’s disease, an autoimmune disorder,
is the most common cause. Other causes include thyroid nodules, thyroiditis, consuming
too much iodine, and taking too much synthetic thyroid hormone. The symptoms can
vary from person to person. They may include being nervous or irritable, mood swings,
fatigue or muscle weakness, heat intolerance, trouble sleeping, hand tremors, rapid
and irregular heartbeat, frequent bowel movements or diarrhea, weight loss, goiter,
which is an enlarged thyroid that may cause the neck to look swollen. To diagnose
hyperthyroidism, your doctor will look at your symptoms, blood tests, and sometimes a
thyroid scan. Treatment is with medicines, radioiodine therapy, or thyroid surgery. No
single treatment works for everyone.
Pituitary Disorders – Your pituitary gland is a pea-sized gland at the base of your brain.
The pituitary is the “master control gland” – it makes hormones that affect growth and
the functions of other glands in the body. With pituitary disorders, you often have too
much or too little of one of your hormones. Injuries can cause pituitary disorders, but
the most common cause is a pituitary tumor.
Adrenal Disorders – The adrenal glands are
small glands located on top of each kidney.
They produce hormones that you can’t live
without, including sex hormones and
cortisol. Cortisol helps you respond to stress
and
has
many
other
important
functions. With adrenal gland disorders,
your glands make too much or not enough
hormones. In Cushing’s syndrome, there’s
too much cortisol, while with Addison’s disease, there is too little. Some people are
born unable to make enough cortisol. Causes of adrenal gland disorders include genetic
mutations, tumors including pheochromocytomas, infections, a problem in another
gland, such as the pituitary, which helps to regulate the adrenal gland and
certain medicines. Treatment depends on which problem you have. Surgery or
medicines can treat many adrenal gland disorders.
Hypoglycemia – Hypoglycemia means low
blood glucose, or blood sugar. Your body needs
glucose to have enough energy. After you eat,
your blood absorbs glucose. If you eat more
sugar than your body needs, your muscles, and
liver store the extra. When your blood sugar
begins to fall, a hormone tells your liver to
release glucose. In most people, this raises
blood sugar. If it doesn’t, you have
hypoglycemia, and your blood sugar can be
dangerously low. Signs include hunger,
shakiness, dizziness, confusion, difficulty
speaking, feeling anxious or weak. In people
with diabetes, hypoglycemia is often a side
effect of diabetes medicines. Eating or
drinking something with carbohydrates can
help. If it happens often, your health care
provider may need to change your treatment
plan. You can also have low blood sugar
without having diabetes. Causes include
certain medicines or diseases, hormone or
enzyme deficiencies, and tumors. Laboratory tests can help find the cause. The kind of
treatment depends on why you have low blood sugar.
Pituitary Tumors – Your pituitary gland is a pea-sized gland at the base of your brain.
The pituitary is the “master control gland” – it makes hormones that affect growth and
the functions of other glands in the body. Pituitary tumors are common, but often they
don’t cause health problems. Most people with pituitary tumors never even know they
have them. The most common type of pituitary tumor produces hormones and disrupts
the balance of hormones in your body. This can cause endocrine diseases such as
Cushing’s syndrome and hyperthyroidism. Symptoms of pituitary tumors include
headaches, vision problems, nausea and vomiting, problems caused by the production
of too many hormones. Pituitary tumors are usually curable. Treatment is often surgery
to remove the tumor. Other options include medicines, radiation therapy, and
chemotherapy.
Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer – Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma is a rare and aggressive form
of cancer of the thyroid gland. Anaplastic thyroid cancer grows very rapidly and is an
invasive type of thyroid cancer. It occurs most often in people over age 60. The cause
is unknown. Anaplastic cancer accounts for only about 1% of all thyroid cancers.
Symptoms include cough, coughing up blood, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness or
changing voice, loud breathing, lower neck lump, which often grows quickly.
Hypoparathyroidism – Hypoparathyroidism
is a disorder in which the parathyroid
glands in the neck do not produce enough
parathyroid hormone (PTH). There are four
tiny parathyroid glands in the neck, near or
attached to the back side of the thyroid
gland. The parathyroid glands help control
calcium use and removal by the body. They
do this by producing parathyroid hormone
(PTH). PTH helps control calcium,
phosphorus, and vitamin D levels in the
blood and bone. Hypoparathyroidism occurs when the glands produce too little PTH.
The blood calcium level falls, and the phosphorus level rises. The most common cause
of hypoparathyroidism is injury to the parathyroid glands during thyroid or neck surgery.
It may also be caused by any of the following: radioactive iodine treatment for
hyperthyroidism, very low magnesium level in the blood, or autoimmune attack on the
parathyroid glands. DiGeorge syndrome is a childhood disease in which
hypoparathyroidism occurs because all the parathyroid glands are missing at
birth. Familial hypoparathyroidism occurs with other endocrine diseases, such as
adrenal insufficiency, in a syndrome called type I polyglandular autoimmune syndrome
(PGA I). Symptoms may include any of the following: abdominal pain, brittle nails,
cataracts, decreased consciousness, dry hair, dry, scaly skin, muscle cramps, muscle
spasms called tetany (can affect the larynx, causing breathing difficulties), pain in the
face, legs, and feet, painful menstruation, seizures, teeth that do not grow in on time,
or at all, tingling lips, fingers, and toes, and weakened tooth enamel (in children).
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome – Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) happens when a
woman’s ovaries or adrenal glands produce more male hormones than normal. One
result is that cysts (fluid-filled sacs) develop on the ovaries. Women who are obese are
more likely to have polycystic ovary syndrome. Symptoms of PCOS include: infertility,
pelvic pain, excess hair growth on the face, chest, stomach, thumbs, or toes, baldness
or thinning hair, acne, oily skin, or dandruff, patches of thickened dark brown or black
skin. Women with PCOS are at higher risk of diabetes, metabolic syndrome, heart
disease, and high blood pressure. Medicines can help control the symptoms. Birth
control pills help women have normal periods, reduce male hormone levels, and clear
acne. Other medicines can reduce hair growth and control blood pressure and
cholesterol. There is no cure.
Cushing’s Syndrome – Cushing’s syndrome is a hormonal disorder. The cause is longterm exposure to too much cortisol, a hormone that your adrenal gland makes.
Sometimes, taking synthetic hormone medicine to treat an inflammatory disease leads
to Cushing’s. Some kinds of tumors produce a hormone that can cause your body to
make too much cortisol. Cushing’s syndrome is rare. Some symptoms are upper body
obesity, thin arms and legs, severe fatigue and muscle weakness, high blood pressure,
high blood sugar, and easy bruising. Lab tests can show if you have it and find the cause.
Your treatment will depend on why you have too much cortisol. If it is because you have
been taking synthetic hormones, a lower dose may control your symptoms. If the cause
is a tumor, surgery and other therapies may be needed.
Hypothyroidism – Your thyroid is a butterflyshaped gland in your neck, just above your
collarbone. It is one of your endocrine glands,
which make hormones. Thyroid hormones
control the rate of many activities in your
body. These include how fast you burn
calories and how fast your heart beats. All of
these activities are your body’s metabolism.
If your thyroid gland is not active enough, it
does not make enough thyroid hormone to
meet your body’s needs. This condition is
hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism is more
common in women, people with other
thyroid problems, and those over 60 years old.
Hashimoto’s disease, an autoimmune
disorder, is the most common cause. Other
causes include thyroid nodules, thyroiditis,
congenital hypothyroidism, surgical removal of part or all of the thyroid, radiation
treatment of the thyroid, and some medicines. The symptoms can vary from person to
person. They may include fatigue, weight gain, a puffy face, cold intolerance, joint and
muscle pain, constipation, dry skin, dry, thinning hair, decreased sweating, heavy or
irregular menstrual periods and fertility problems, depression, and/or slowed heart
rate. To diagnose hypothyroidism, your doctor will look at your symptoms and blood
tests. Treatment is with synthetic thyroid hormone, taken every day.
Pre-diabetes – Prediabetes means you have blood glucose, or blood sugar, levels that
are higher than normal but not high enough to be called diabetes. Glucose comes from
the foods you eat. Too much glucose in your blood can damage your body over time. If
you have prediabetes, you are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, heart disease,
and stroke. Most people with prediabetes don’t have any symptoms. Your doctor can
test your blood to find out if your blood glucose levels are higher than normal. If you
are 45 years old or older, your doctor may recommend that you be tested for
prediabetes, especially if you are overweight.
De Quervain’s Thyroiditis – Subacute thyroiditis involves swelling (inflammation) of
the thyroid gland that usually follows an upper respiratory infection. Subacute
thyroiditis is a rare condition. It is thought to be caused by a viral infection. The
condition often occurs after a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract, such as
mumps and influenza, or a common cold. Subacute thyroiditis occurs most often in
middle-aged women with recent (within the last month) symptoms of a viral respiratory
tract infection. The most obvious symptom of subacute thyroiditis is pain in the neck.
Sometimes the pain can spread (radiate) to the jaw or ears. Painful enlargement of the
thyroid gland may last for weeks or, in rare cases, months. Other symptoms include:
difficulty swallowing, fatigue, fever, hoarseness, tenderness when gentle pressure is
applied to the thyroid gland (palpation) and/or weakness.
Diabetes – Diabetes is a disease in which your blood glucose, or blood sugar, levels are
too high. Glucose comes from the foods you eat. Insulin is a hormone that helps the
glucose get into your cells to give them energy. With type 1 diabetes, your body does
not make insulin. With type 2 diabetes, the more common type, your body does not
make or use insulin well. Without enough insulin, the glucose stays in your blood. You
can also have prediabetes. This means that your blood sugar is higher than normal but
not high enough to be called diabetes. Having prediabetes puts you at a higher risk of
getting type 2 diabetes. Over time, having too much glucose in your blood can cause
serious problems. It can damage your eyes, kidneys, and nerves. Diabetes can also cause
heart disease, stroke and even the need to remove a limb. Pregnant women can also
get diabetes, called gestational diabetes. A blood test can show if you have diabetes.
Exercise, weight control and sticking to your meal plan can help control your diabetes.
You should also monitor your glucose level and take medicine if prescribed.
Thyroid Cancer – Your thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in your neck, just above your
collarbone. It makes hormones that help the body work normally. There are several
types of cancer of the thyroid gland. You are at greater risk if you are between ages 25
and 65, are a woman, are Asian, have a family member who has had thyroid disease, or
have had radiation treatments to your head or neck. You should see a doctor if you
have a lump or swelling in your neck. Doctors use a physical exam, blood tests, imaging
tests, and a biopsy to diagnose thyroid cancer. Treatment depends on the type of
cancer you have and how far the cancer has spread. Many patients receive a
combination of treatments. They may include surgery, radioactive iodine, hormone
treatment, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or targeted therapy. Targeted therapy
uses substances that attack cancer cells without harming normal cells.
Silent Thyroiditis – Silent thyroiditis is swelling (inflammation) of the thyroid gland.
The disorder can cause hyperthyroidism, followed by hypothyroidism. The cause of this
type of thyroiditis is unknown, but it is related to an immune attack against the thyroid.
The disease affects women more often than men. The disease can occur in women who
have just had a baby. It can also be caused by medicines such as interferon and
amiodarone. The earliest symptoms result from an overactive thyroid gland
(hyperthyroidism). These symptoms may last for up to 3 months. Later symptoms may
be of an underactive thyroid (including fatigue and cold intolerance) until the thyroid
recovers. Some people only notice the hypothyroid symptoms and do not have
symptoms of hyperthyroidism. Symptoms are usually mild and may include: fatigue,
frequent bowel movements, heat intolerance, increased appetite, increased sweating,
irregular menstrual periods, irritability, muscle cramps, nervousness, restlessness,
palpitations, weakness, and weight loss.
Gestational Diabetes – Diabetes is a disease in which your blood glucose, or blood sugar,
levels are too high during pregnancy. When you are pregnant, too much glucose is not
good for your baby. About seven out of every 100 pregnant women in the United States
get gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes is diabetes that happens for the first
time when a woman is pregnant. It goes away after you have your baby, but it does
increase your risk for having diabetes later. If you already have diabetes before you get
pregnant, you need to monitor and control your blood sugar levels during
pregnancy. Most women get a test to check for diabetes during their second trimester
of pregnancy. Women at higher risk may get a test earlier. Either type of diabetes
during pregnancy raises the risk of problems for the baby and the mother. To help lower
the risks, you should follow your meal plan, exercise, test your blood sugar, and, if
needed, take your medicine.
Goiters – A simple goiter is an enlargement of the thyroid gland. It is usually not
cancer. There are different kinds of goiters: a simple goiter can occur without a known
reason. It can occur when the thyroid gland is not able to make enough thyroid hormone
to meet the body’s needs. This can be due to a lack of iodine in a person’s diet. To
make up for the shortage of thyroid hormone, the thyroid gland grows larger. Toxic
nodular goiter is an enlarged thyroid gland that has a small, rounded growth or many
growths called nodules. One or more of these nodules produce too much thyroid
hormone. The body needs iodine to produce thyroid hormone. Simple goiters may occur
in people who live in areas where the soil and water do not have enough iodine. People
in these areas might not get enough iodine in their diet. In many cases of simple goiter,
the cause is unknown. Other than a lack of iodine, other factors that may lead to the
condition include: certain medicines (lithium, amiodarone), infections, cigarette
smoking, certain foods (soy, peanuts, vegetables in the broccoli and cabbage
family). Simple goiters are also more common in: persons over age 40, people with a
family history of goiter and women.
Thyroid Nodules – A thyroid nodule is a growth (lump) in the thyroid gland. The thyroid
gland is located in the neck, just above where your collarbones meet in the
middle. Thyroid nodules are growths of cells in the thyroid gland. These growths can
be: not cancer (benign) or thyroid cancer, fluid-filled (cysts), one nodule or a group of
small nodules, and producing thyroid hormones (hot) or not making thyroid hormones
(cold). Thyroid nodules are more common in women than in men. A person’s chance of
getting a thyroid nodule increases with age. Only a few thyroid nodules are due to
thyroid cancer.
Graves’ Disease – Graves’ disease is a condition that affects the function of the thyroid,
which is a butterfly-shaped gland in the lower neck. The thyroid makes hormones that
help regulate a wide variety of critical body functions. For example, thyroid hormones
influence growth and development, body temperature, heart rate, menstrual cycles,
and weight. In people with Graves’ disease, the thyroid is overactive and makes more
hormones than the body needs. The condition usually appears in mid-adulthood,
although it may occur at any age. Excess thyroid hormones can cause a variety of signs
and symptoms. These include nervousness or anxiety, extreme tiredness (fatigue), a
rapid and irregular heartbeat, hand tremors, frequent bowel movements or diarrhea,
increased sweating and difficulty tolerating hot conditions, trouble sleeping, and
weight loss in spite of an increased appetite. Affected women may have menstrual
irregularities, such as an unusually light menstrual flow and infrequent periods. Some
people with Graves’ disease develop an enlargement of the thyroid called a goiter.
Depending on its size, the enlarged thyroid can cause the neck to look swollen and may
interfere with breathing and swallowing.
Menopause – This is not a disease, but a season of change in a woman’s life. Menopause
is the time in a woman’s life when her period stops. It usually occurs naturally, most
often after age 45. Menopause happens because the woman’s ovaries stop producing
the hormones estrogen and progesterone. A woman has reached menopause when she
has not had a period for one year. Changes and symptoms can start several years earlier.
They include a change in periods – shorter or longer, lighter or heavier, with more or
less time in between, hot flashes and/or night sweats, trouble sleeping, vaginal dryness,
mood swings, trouble focusing, less hair on head, more on face.
Obesity – This is not a disease, but a symptom of imbalance in the body. Obesity means
having too much body fat. It is different from being overweight, which means weighing
too much. The weight may come from muscle, bone, fat, and/or body water. Both
terms mean that a person’s weight is greater than what’s considered healthy for his or
her height. Obesity occurs over time when you eat more calories than you use. The
balance between calories-in and calories-out differs for each person. Factors that might
affect your weight include your genetic makeup, overeating, eating high-fat foods, and
not being physically active. Being obese increases your risk of diabetes, heart disease,
stroke, arthritis, and some cancers. If you are obese, losing even 5 to 10 percent of
your weight can delay or prevent some of these diseases. For example, that means
losing 10 to 20 pounds if you weigh 200 pounds.
Turner Syndrome – Turner syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects a girl’s
development. The cause is a missing or incomplete X chromosome. Girls who have it
are short, and their ovaries don’t work properly. Other physical features typical of
Turner syndrome are short, “webbed” neck with folds of skin from tops of shoulders to
sides of neck, low hairline in the back, low-set ears, swollen hands and feet. Most
women with Turner syndrome are infertile. They are at risk for health difficulties such
as high blood pressure, kidney problems, diabetes, cataracts, osteoporosis, and thyroid
problems. Doctors diagnose Turner syndrome based on symptoms and a genetic test.
Sometimes it is found in prenatal testing. There is no cure for Turner syndrome, but
there are some treatments for the symptoms. Growth hormone often helps girls reach
heights that are close to average. Hormone replacement can help start sexual
development. Assisted reproduction techniques can help some women with Turner
syndrome get pregnant.
Growth Hormone Deficiency – Growth hormone deficiency means the pituitary gland
does not make enough growth hormone. The pituitary gland is located at the base of
the brain. This gland controls the body’s balance of hormones. It also makes growth
hormone. This hormone causes a child to grow. Growth hormone deficiency may be
present at birth (congenital). Or it may be the result of medical condition. Severe brain
injury may also cause growth hormone deficiency. Children with physical defects of the
face and skull, such as cleft lip or cleft palate, may have decreased growth hormone
levels. Most of the time, the cause of growth hormone deficiency is unknown.
Osteoporosis – Osteoporosis makes your bones weak and more likely to break. Anyone
can develop osteoporosis, but it is common in older women. As many as half of all
women and a quarter of men older than 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis. Risk
factors include getting older, being small and thin, having a family history of
osteoporosis, taking certain medicines, being a white or Asian woman, or having
osteopenia, which is low bone density. Osteoporosis is a silent disease. You might not
know you have it until you break a bone. A bone mineral density test is the best way to
check your bone health. To keep bones strong, eat a diet rich in calcium and vitamin
D, exercise and do not smoke. If needed, medicines can also help.
Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis – Hashimoto thyroiditis is a condition that affects the function
of the thyroid, which is a butterfly-shaped gland in the lower neck. Hashimoto
thyroiditis is a form of chronic inflammation that can damage the thyroid, reducing its
ability to produce hormones. One of the first signs of Hashimoto thyroiditis is an
enlargement of the thyroid called a goiter. Depending on its size, the enlarged thyroid
can cause the neck to look swollen and may interfere with breathing and swallowing.
As damage to the thyroid continues, the gland can shrink over a period of years and the
goiter may eventually disappear. Other signs and symptoms resulting from an
underactive thyroid can include excessive tiredness (fatigue), weight gain or difficulty
losing weight, hair that is thin and dry, a slow heart rate, joint or muscle pain, and
constipation. People with this condition may also have a pale, puffy face and feel cold
even when others around them are warm. Affected women can have heavy or irregular
menstrual periods and difficulty conceiving a child (impaired fertility). Difficulty
concentrating and depression can also be signs of a shortage of thyroid
hormones. Hashimoto thyroiditis usually appears in mid-adulthood, although it can
occur earlier or later in life. Its signs and symptoms tend to develop gradually over
months or years.
MEN 1 – MEN1 is an inherited disorder that causes tumors in the endocrine glands and
the duodenum, the first part of the small intestine. MEN1 is sometimes called multiple
endocrine adenomatosis or Wermer’s syndrome, after one of the first doctors to
recognize it. MEN1 is rare, occurring in about one in 30,000 people. The disorder affects
both sexes equally and shows no geographical, racial, or ethnic preferences. Endocrine
glands release hormones into the bloodstream. Hormones are powerful chemicals that
travel through the blood, controlling and instructing the functions of various organs.
Normally, the hormones released by endocrine glands are carefully balanced to meet
the body’s needs. There is also other disorders called MEN 2A, and MEN 2B.