The field of study of endocrinology is the medical aspects of the structure and functioning of the endocrine glands (or endocrine glands), the study of biologically highly active substances produced by them – hormones and their effects on the body, as well as diseases arising from a violation of the activity of these glands or hormone production.Endocrinology is most closely connected with almost all areas of clinical medicine, because hormones control the most important processes occurring in the body: growth, maturation, reproduction, metabolism, proper functioning of organs and systems.
Modern trends in endocrinology are neuroendocrinology, which studies the relationship between nervous and endocrine regulation of the body, and gynecological endocrinology, which deals with the correction of hormonal disorders in the female body.
The endocrine system combines anatomically unrelated endocrine glands: the epiphysis, pituitary gland, parathyroid glands, thyroid gland, thymus gland, pancreas, adrenal glands, sex glands. Most diseases of the endocrine glands cause severe violations of vital functions, not excluding death, if you do not consult an endocrinologist in time.
The most urgent problems of modern endocrinology are the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of thyroid diseases (diffuse toxic goiter, thyroiditis, hypothyroidism, thyroid cysts), diabetes mellitus, diseases of the hypothalamic-pituitary system (acromegaly, gigantism, hypothalamic syndrome, diabetes insipidus, lactation problems, prolactinoma), diseases of the adrenal glands (adrenal insufficiency, adrenal tumors), disorders of the genital glands (endocrine infertility). Today, thanks to the accumulated endocrinology knowledge and practical experience, it is possible to significantly improve the quality of life of patients with endocrine pathology.
Environmental degradation, stress, unbalanced nutrition, burdened heredity often cause disorders in the work of the endocrine glands and lead to the development of endocrine diseases. Diseases of the endocrine system, as a rule, are of a long, severe nature. Therefore, it is important to prevent their occurrence in time, to identify them as early as possible or to prevent the development of their complications.
An appeal to an endocrinologist is necessary if:
For the diagnosis of endocrine pathology, a comprehensive examination is used, including the study of the patient’s anamnesis, tests for the content of various hormones, ultrasound of the glands, magnetic resonance imaging. Based on the data obtained, the issue of further conservative or surgical treatment is being resolved.
Treatment of endocrine diseases is aimed at correcting hormonal disorders, achieving stable remission of the pathological process and restoring the normal quality of life of the patient.
In the Medical Directory of Diseases on the website “Medic Journal” you will get acquainted with the characteristic features of endocrine diseases. On the website “Medic Journal” you will get all the necessary information about existing methods of prevention.
Hypothyroidism is a disease caused by a decrease in the function of the thyroid gland and insufficient production of hormones by it. It is manifested by the slowing down of all processes occurring in the body: weakness, drowsiness, weight gain, slowness of thinking and speech, chilliness, hypotension, in women – menstrual disorders. In severe forms,…
Hypothalamic syndrome is a complex of endocrine, metabolic, vegetative disorders caused by the pathology of the hypothalamus. It is characterized by a change (more often an increase) in body weight, headaches, mood instability, hypertension, menstrual cycle disorders, increased appetite and thirst, increased or decreased libido. To diagnose of pathology, an extended hormonal study, EEG, MRI…
Hypopituitarism is a pathological condition that is caused by a decrease in the production of several or all pituitary hormones. Cider occurs when the pituitary gland is directly affected by necrosis, tumor or inflammatory process, in addition, it can be a consequence of violations of hypothalamic-pituitary regulation. Disease is manifested by symptoms of hypocorticism, hypogonadism,…
Hypoparathyroidism is a disease that develops due to a lack of parathyroid hormone secreted by the parathyroid glands, or a violation of the receptor tissue sensitivity to it. A decrease in the functional activity of the parathyroid glands of various genesis is observed in 0.3—0.4% of the population and can occur at any age, leading…
Hypogonadism is a syndrome accompanied by insufficiency of the functions of the sex glands and a violation of the synthesis of sex hormones. Hypogonadism, as a rule, is accompanied by underdevelopment of external or internal genitalia, secondary sexual characteristics, disorders of fat and protein metabolism (obesity or cachexia, changes in the bone system, cardiovascular disorders).…
Hypoglycemic coma is an acute pathological condition provoked by a sudden rapid decrease in the amount of glucose in plasma. It is manifested by an increase in anxiety, increased hunger, dizziness, salivation, trembling, palpitations, abdominal pain, tremor, burning sensation and tingling in the extremities. Subsequently, there is asthenia, fear, panic, hallucinations, disorientation, confusion and coma.…
Hypoaldosteronism is a disease accompanied by insufficient production of aldosterone. It is characterized by hypohydration, hyperkalemia, hypotension, hypovolemia. Subjective complaints of patients about general weakness, dryness of the skin, constant thirst, fainting, dizziness are possible. It is diagnosed according to hormonal and biochemical studies (blood test for the content of aldosterone and other adrenal hormones,…
Hyperthyroidism (thyrotoxicosis) is a clinical syndrome caused by an increase in the hormonal activity of the thyroid gland and characterized by excessive production of thyroid hormones – T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine). Oversaturation of the blood with thyroid hormones causes acceleration of all metabolic processes in the body (the so-called “metabolic fire”). This condition is…
Hyperprolactinemic hypogonadism is a neuroendocrine syndrome associated with excessive secretion of the hormone prolactin by the anterior pituitary gland and accompanied by a number of endocrine and somatogenic disorders. Pathology is manifested by menstrual dysfunction, pathological galactorrhea, hirsutism, infertility (in women), decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, gynecomastia, infertility (in men). Diagnosis is based on multiple determination…
Thyroid hyperplasia is an enlargement of the entire gland or its parts, which may be accompanied by the formation of individual nodes. The causes of pathology are iodine deficiency, infectious and autoimmune processes, hereditary factors. The disease is manifested by a feeling of compression in the neck, deformation of its contours, signs of hormonal imbalance. To…