Endocrine System

By Meghan Bury, Natalie Bontempo, Greg Lerner & Mike Devine

The Endocrine System…

affects bodily activities by releasing chemical messages, called hormones, into the bloodstream from exocrine and endocrine glands.

The Function of Hormones Is To:

Control the internal environment by regulating its chemical composition and volume

Respond to environmental changes to help the body cope with emergencies - infection, stress etc

Help regulate organic metabolism and energy balance

Contribute to the management of growth and development.

Hormones

Cause changes in particular parts of the body

Their effects are slower and more general than nerve action

Control changes, such as rate of growth, activity and sexual maturity.

Parts of Endocrine System

hypothalamus pituitary thyroid Parathyroid Adrenal glands Pineal Gland Thymus Reproductive Glands

INFORMATION ON GLANDS

The glands are separate but it is known that they are functionally related.

Body health is dependent on a correct balance output from all the various glands that make up the endocrine system.

Hypothalamus

Located in the lower central part of the brain Regulates satiety, metabolism and body

temperature Secretes hormones that stimulate/suppress

release of hormones in pituitary gland Also included in the nervous system.

IMPORTANT CONNECTION!

Nervous & Endocrine System

Hypothalamus talks to and gives orders to the Pituitary gland.

Together they regulate homeostasis and have major control over bodily functions.

Huge, important connection!

The Pituitary Gland

Also known as the Hypophysis The leader of the endocrine

system It consists of anterior and

posterior lobes Located at base of brain, no

larger than a peaThe anterior lobe produces:

1. Growth hormone

2. Thyroid-Stimulating hormone

3. Adrenocorticotropin hormone

4. Luteinizing/follicle-stimulating

5. Prolactin hormone

The posterior lobe produces:

1. Antidiuretic hormone vasopressin

2. Oxytoin

Thyroid Gland

Located in the lower front part of the neck

Produce thyroid hormones that regulate metabolism

Plays a role in bone growth and development of brain and nervous system in children

help maintain normal blood pressure, heart rate, digestion, muscle tone, and reproductive functions.

Parathyroid Glands

Two pairs of small glands located on the surface of the thyroid gland

One pair on each side Regulates calcium levels in the blood and

bone

Adrenal Glands

• Located on the top of each kidney

• Triangular-shaped• Made up of two parts :

adrenal cortex (outer) and adrenal medulla (inner)

• outer part produces corticosteroids- regulates metabolism, balance of salt/water in body, immune system & sexual function

• Inner part produce catecholamines (ex: adrenaline) which help body cope with stress by increasing blood pressure and heart rate.

Pineal Gland

Located in the middle of the brain

Secretes melatonin Regulates wake/sleep

cycle

Thymus

Located in upper thorax behind the sternum, but below the thyroid gland.

Each has 2 lobes (cortex and medulla) Plays a critical role in the development of a child's

immune system before birth and for a time thereafter.

processing and maturation of special lymphocytes called T-cells

T-cells are special lymphocytes

Reproductive Glands

MALE: Testes produce

testosterone Scrotum holds the

testes. Controls maturation

(sexual development, pubic/facial hair)

Sperm Production

FEMALE: Ovaries (located on both

sides of uterus) produce estrogen and

progesterone as well as eggs.

Control development (ex: breast growth)

Reproductive Functions (menstruation, pregnancy)

Reproductive Glands

Types of Diabetes

-Type 1 Diabetes-Type 2 Diabetes-Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

Type 1 Diabetes

The body’s immune system destroys the insulin-producing beta cells located in the pancreas.

Insulin is a hormone that regulates the movement of sugar into cells.

Auto-immune disease, also known as juvenile onset diabetes. 10-15% of all people with the disease.

May appear at any age, but commonly under 40.

Type 1 Diabetes

Triggered by environmental factors. Viruses, chemicals, diets, or that people

are genetically predisposed.

People with Type 1 Diabetes must carefully follow a diet plan, exercise, and inject themselves with insulin several times a day.

Causes for Type 1 Diabetes Exact cause is unknown. Most people with disease, their own

immune system mistakenly destroys the insulin producing cells in the pancreas.

It is caused more by genetics then environmental factors.

Exposure to certain viruses may trigger it.

Whatever the cause, little to no insulin is produced.

Causes of Type 1 Diabetes Insulin helps glucose (sugar) enter cells

to provide energy and it comes from the pancreas.

If it’s working right, once you eat, the pancreas produces insulin into the blood.

When the insulin circulates, it “acts like a key, unlocking microscopic doors” that let sugar in.

Causes of Type 1 Diabetes

As the blood sugar level drops, so does the insulin secreting from the pancreas.

Instead of sugar being transported into your cells, it builds up in the blood stream. This is when it causes complications.

Symptoms for Type 1 Diabetes

Thirst and Urine Increase- excess sugar builds in blood system, so fluid is pulled from your tissues leaving you thirsty. You may drink more, which will increase your urination.

Extreme Hunger- There is not enough insulin to move sugar into your cells, causing your muscles and organs to use up energy. It will trigger hunger, that may last till after you eat. Since there is no insulin, the sugar will not reach the “energy starved” tissues.

Symptoms for Type 1 Diabetes

Fatigue- Due to your cells being deprived of sugar, you can become irritable and tired.

Weight Loss- Eating more to relieve hunger still can cause you to lose weight. Without energy, your muscles and tissues will shrink.

Blurred Vision- If your blood sugar level is too high it will pull fluid from your tissues (lenses of eyes) and will harm your ability to focus clearly.

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 Diabetes is known as the adult-onset or non-insulin-dependent diabetes.

It is a chronic condition that affects the way your body metabolizes sugar. It is the most common form of diabetes and affects

85-90% of all people with the disease

Type 2 Diabetes

Your body is resistant to the effects of insulin.

Doesn’t produce enough insulin to maintain normal glucose levels. Excess weight, high blood pressure,

inactivity and poor diet. Twice as likely to suffer

cardiovascular disease

Causes for Type 2 Diabetes

The body does not respond right to insulin, called “insulin resistance.”

This has more to due with environment. Obesity, age, lack of physical activity.

Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes Thirst and Urine Increase- excess sugar

builds in blood system, so fluid is pulled from your tissues leaving you thirsty. You may drink more, which will increase your urination.

Increased Hunger- There is not enough insulin to move sugar into your cells, causing your muscles and organs to use up energy. It will trigger hunger, that may last till after you eat. Since there is no insulin, the sugar will not reach the “energy starved” tissues.

Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes

Fatigue- Due to your cells being deprived of sugar, you can become irritable and tired.

Weight Loss- Eating more to relieve hunger still can cause you to lose weight. Without energy, your muscles and tissues will shrink.

Blurred Vision- If your blood sugar level is too high it will pull fluid from your tissues (lenses of eyes) and will harm your ability to focus clearly.

Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes

Frequent Infections of Slow Healing Sores- This type of diabetes affects your ability to defend yourself against and heal infections.

Darkened Skin- A sign of insulin resistance is called acanthosis nigricans. It causes areas of dark, velvety skin in the creases and folds of the body. Armpits and neck.

• Acanthosis Nigricans

Gestational Diabetes

Occurs only during pregnancy. Affects the way your body uses sugar-

main source of fuel. Can cause high blood sugar

Will not cause a problem for you Can cause health problems for unborn

baby. You can maintain it by eating healthy food,

medication and exercising regularly.

What happens to the baby After birth, baby will have blood sugar

tested. If the sugar is low, the baby will be given

sugar water to drink. Baby may develop jaundice.

Yellow discoloration of the skin that occurs when bilirubin is in the baby’s blood.

Bilirubin is a pigment that causes jaundice. It’s released when extra red blood cells build up in the blood and cannot be processed fast enough.

Cont.

Jaundice can go away with treatment which involves exposing the baby to special lights to rid the pigment.

Gestational Diabetes increases the chance for your baby to have diabetes.

Risk factors of Gestational Diabetes

Family history of diabetes Obesity Given birth to a large infant

previously Stillbirth- baby is born dead Child with a birth defect Age

Symptoms for Gestational Diabetes

There are no noticeable signs or symptoms.

Rarely can cause increased thirst and urination.

Treatments for Diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes

Principal treatment is delivery of artificial insulin through injection or pump.

Almost all people who have Type 1 diabetes must take insulin injections

Insulin, Taking Injections

Insulin is a hormone that helps the body use glucose for energy

You’ll give yourself shots using a needle and syringe. The syringe is a hollow tube with a plunger. You will put your dose of insulin into the tube. Some people use an insulin pen.

Using an Insulin Pump A small machine about the size of a

cell phone, worn outside of your body on a belt or in a pocket or pouch.

The pump connects to a small plastic tube and a very small needle.

The needle is inserted under the skin and stays in for several days. Insulin is pumped from the machine through the tube into your body.

Insulin Jet Injector

Looks like a large pen Sends a fine spray of insulin through the skin Using high-pressure air instead of a needle.

Self Management of Diabetes

Eating healthy to maintain blood sugar levels

Exercise Weight loss (type 2) Check blood glucose level multiple

times a day Various oral diabetic drugs

example : metformin (type 2)

2 Other Endocrine Disorders

Osteoporosis

a condition in which bones become fragile and more likely to break.

How you get it

For Women: a decrease in the hormone estrogen occurring during menopause in women

For Men: decrease in testosterone occurring in men as they age.

Symptoms

Osteoporosis often has no obvious symptoms, it is often left undiagnosed until the person affected suffers a broken or fractured bone during a minor fall.

Symptoms - Cramps in the legs at night - Bone pain and tenderness - Neck pain, discomfort in the neck other than from injury or trauma - Persistent pain in the spine or muscles of the lower back - Abdominal pain - Tooth loss - Rib pain - Broken bones - Spinal deformities become evident like stooped posture, an outward

curve at the top of the spine as a result of developing a vertebral collapse on the back.

- Fatigue - Periodontal disease - Brittle fingernails These symptoms also may indicate other health problems like arthritis

or tendonitis.

Osteopenia

Osteopenia is generally considered the first step along the road to osteoporosis

Diminished bone calcification, as seen on plain X-ray film, is referred to as osteopenia

Treatment

Treatment for osteoporosis typically includes education on diet/nutrition, exercise (if no fractures) and medications. The goal of osteoporosis treatment is to prevent fractures.

Treatments

Osteoporosis medications that slow or stop bone resorption

-Bisphosphonates -Calcitonin -Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators -Hormone Therapy

Bisphosphonates

Bisphosphonates work by slowing the rate of bone thinning, which can prevent the development of osteoporosis and reduce the risk of fracture in people who already have osteoporosis. They are taken orally.

Calcitonin

Calcitonin (e.g. Miacalcin, Calcimar, Fortical) is a hormone that is produced naturally in the body, and it is now available as a prescription medication. It can be taken in injection form or intranasal (through a nose spray). This has been found to increase bone density mainly in the spine.

Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators

Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs) class of drugs developed to provide the benefits of estrogens without their disadvantages.

They are taken orally once a day and is shown to increase bone mass and reduce the risk of spine fractures.

Hormone Therapy

hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can lower the risk of osteoporosis-related hip fractures and other fractures in postmenopausal women.

But taking HRT led to small increases in the number of women who developed breast cancer, ovarian cancer, heart attack, stroke, blood clots, and Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Also referred to as PCOS, it is an endocrine disorder that affects approximately 5% of all women

It occurs amongst all races and nationalities It is the most common hormonal disorder

among women of reproductive age, and is a leading cause of infertility

How you get it

The causes are unknown

Symptoms Oligomenorrhea, amenorrhea — irregular, few, or absent

menstrual periods. Infertility, generally resulting from chronic anovulation (lack of

ovulation). Hirsutism — excessive and increased body hair, typically in a

male pattern affecting face, chest and legs. Hair loss appearing as thinning hair on the top of the head Acne, oily skin, seborrhea. Obesity or weight gain: one in two women with PCOS are

obese Depression Deepening of voice

Treatment

Medical treatment of PCOS is tailored to the patient's goals. Broadly, these may be considered under four categories:

Lowering of insulin levels Restoration of fertility Treatment of hirsutism or acne Restoration of regular menstruation, and

prevention of endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial cancer