Endocrine glands are found in the body and produce chemicals called hormones. The thymus, pituitary, adrenal, thyroid, pineal glands and pancreas are all endocrine glands. The testes and ovaries also act as endocrine glands. Hormones are chemicals that affect various processes in the body including growth, development, sexual function, reproduction, mood and metabolism. Hormonal imbalances occur when the endocrine glands secrete too much or too little hormones or when the body does not respond to hormones as they should.
Diabetes
Medlineplus.com states that diabetes is the most common endocrine disease in the United States. It is caused by an imbalance of a hormone called insulin. The pancreas secretes insulin, which moves glucose (blood sugar) from the bloodstream into the cells. In diabetes, there is no insulin production, insufficient amounts of insulin or a lack of response to insulin by the body. This results in high levels of glucose in the blood that can lead to eye problems, heart disease, kidney issues, nerve damage and amputation of limbs.
Cushing's Syndrome
The adrenal glands are a pair of endocrine glands located on top of both of the kidneys. They secrete several hormones including cortisol, which increases the amount of glucose in the blood. Cushing's syndrome occurs when there is too much cortisol in the body. Signs of this condition are thin skin that bruises easily, weight gain in the upper part of the body and thin legs, stretch marks on certain areas of the body, fatigue, muscle weakness and a round face, which is also called moon face.
Hypothyroidism
The thyroid hormone controls the rate of metabolic processes in the body, according to "An Introduction to Human Disease: Pathology and Pathophysiology Correlations" by Leonard V. Crowley. Metabolism is the process of breaking down ingested food into energy needed for various activities in the body such as repairing cells, breathing and blood circulation. In hypothyroidism, there is too little thyroid hormone in the body, which makes an individual's metabolic rate slow. Some signs of this condition are unexplained weight gain, fatigue, cold skin, dry skin, slow pulses, constipation and muscle weakness.
Acromegaly
The pituitary gland is located in the brain and secretes a hormone called growth hormone. This hormone is responsible for regulating growth. Acromegaly is a hormone imbalance disease that occurs when the pituitary gland secretes too much growth hormone in adults. It makes the bones in the body grow bigger than usual and affects a persons appearance and internal organs. Individuals with acromegaly may develop large hands and feet, coarse skin, a large prominent jaw, excessive sweating and enlarged internal organs such as a bigger liver.
References
- Medline Plus: Endocrine Diseases
- Mayo Clinic: Diabetes
- Mayo Clinic: Acromegaly
- Mayo Clinic: Cushing's Syndrome
- "An Introduction to Human Disease: Pathology and Pathophysiology Correlations"; Leonard V. Crowley; 2009
