prominent functions and diseases?
The endocrine glands are one of the most important organs of the body, so what are these glands? What are its main functions? What are the most important diseases related to it?
The endocrine system is a system consisting of a group of glands responsible for secreting hormones that have a major role in the processes of growth, reproduction, and metabolism. These hormones contribute to the breathing process and the regulation of the functions of the muscular system.
Here''s more about it below
endocrine glands in the body
Here is a group of endocrine glands found in the body
1. Hypothalamus
It is a gland located in the lower part of the brain. It plays the main role in maintaining balance in the body. It regulates metabolism, temperature, and the work of the pituitary gland. It also contributes to controlling appetite for food, satiety, and the balance of the physiological cycle in the body.
2. Pituitary gland
It is located at the base of the brain and is as small as a pea. The pituitary gland is considered the most important endocrine gland because it is responsible for regulating the work of the rest of the glands in the body.
The pituitary gland is divided into two parts
anterior pituitary gland
It is responsible for secreting the following hormones
Growth hormone.
Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH).
Adrenal stimulating hormone (ACTH).
Luteinizing hormone responsible for stimulating sperm production in males and ovulation in females.
Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) complements its action from luteinizing hormone to regulate the functioning of the reproductive organs.
Milk hormone (Prolactin).
2. Posterior pituitary
They are the glands responsible for storing the antidiuretic hormone and oxytocin, which is responsible for contracting the uterine muscles during childbirth.
3. Thyroid gland
It is located in the neck area and secretes thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which are responsible for body metabolism and control the speed of cell work.
It contributes to the complete growth of the bones, brain and nervous system in children, and also works to maintain blood pressure, heartbeat, and temperatures at normal levels.
4. Parathyroid gland
Four small glands located on the surface of the thyroid gland, which contribute to regulating the level of calcium between the blood and the bones.
5. Adrenal glands
There are two adrenal glands in the human body, each of which is located above the kidney. The adrenal gland secretes the hormone Cortisol, which is responsible for metabolism, balancing salts in the blood, and regulating the functioning of the immune and reproductive systems as well.
Cortisol also contributes to the regulation of blood sugar, and the distribution and use of carbohydrates and fats in the body.
6. Pineal gland
Located in the center of the brain, it secretes the hormone melatonin, and works to regulate the biological clock in the body (regulating sleep and waking).
7. Reproductive glands
In males, the gonads are represented by the testes, which secrete testosterone, and in females, by the ovaries located on both sides of the uterus, which secrete female hormones, the most important of which is estrogen.
8. The pancreas
The pancreas is located in the abdominal cavity behind the stomach. There is a part of it that contributes to the process of digesting food from carbohydrates, proteins and fats. This part is considered the exocrine glands.
The other part is from the endocrine glands formed in what is known as the Langerhans island, which secretes insulin and glucagon, which are responsible for regulating the level of sugar in the blood.
Endocrine diseases
The presence of any defect in the endocrine system, with an increase or decrease in the level of hormones in the body, leads to many problems and diseases, the most prominent of which are:
Diabetes
Diabetes occurs as a result of an imbalance in the secretion of the hormone insulin, so its blood level decreases or cells resist responding to it. This leads to an increase in the level of sugar in the blood.
Diabetes is divided into two main types, type 1 and type 2, and they share clear symptoms, including:
Frequent urination, especially at night when sleeping.
Feeling very thirsty.
Constant feeling of tiredness and exhaustion.
Losing weight without following a diet
Blurred vision.
Slow wound healing.
Cushing''s syndrome
It occurs as a result of prolonged high levels of cortisol, due to internal factors in the body, such as tumors, or due to external factors, such as taking cortisone pills.
Symptoms of the syndrome
Weight gain and fat accumulation, especially in the face, which becomes full (moon face) and between the shoulders, which becomes like a plateau (buffalo hump).
The appearance of broad pink lines on the skin (Stretch marks).
Bleeding easily.
muscle weakness
The appearance of acne.
Hirsutism and irregular menstruation in women.
Erectile dysfunction in men.
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism occurs due to the production of larger amounts of the hormone thyroxine, which increases the normal level of metabolism, resulting in many disturbing symptoms, including:
Nervousness and stress.
Mood swings.
Fatigue and tiredness.
Excessive feeling of heat even in cold weather.
Sensation of an enlarged thyroid gland.
Unexplained weight loss.
Increased heart rate.
Jerk in the limbs.
sleep problems
Irregularity in the menstrual cycle.
The causes of hyperactivity are either due to Grave''s disease, which is an immune disease, thyroiditis, or the presence of tumors in it.
4. Hypothyroidism
It is when the thyroid gland produces lower levels than the normal level of the hormone thyroxine, so that the metabolism becomes more slow and symptoms of hypothyroidism:
Irregularity in the menstrual cycle.
holding.
depression.
Hair loss and dryness.
skin dryness.
Fatigue and tiredness.
Increased feeling of coldness.
slow heartbeat
Goiter.
Unexplained weight gain.
In most cases, it is caused by an immune disease in which the body attacks thyroid cells, so there is no treatment other than taking thyroxine pills.
