What are some hormone related health conditions

Hormones play a very important role in the functioning of the body’s endocrine system. The endocrine system is one of the main systems used to communicate, control, and coordinate the body’s work. This system controls body energy levels, reproduction, growth and development, homeostasis, and reactions to surroundings, stress, and injury. Endocrine disorders occur when hormones are released into the blood stream in amounts too small or too large. This causes the body to function abnormally resulting in sometimes serious health conditions. Some health conditions that can occur from the lack of hormones or excessive hormones in the bloodstream are menopause, obesity, osteoporosis, diabetes, growth hormone deficiency, and hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.

A natural event that takes place in every woman’s life at some point is menopause. It usually occurs when a woman reaches her mid to late forties. For some women it can happen as early as their thirties. Menopause is when a woman’s ovaries stop producing eggs. In the beginning of menopause, the estrogen levels can rise sharply and then drop. Estrogen is a sex steroid hormone that is produced primarily by the ovaries and is responsible for typical female sexual characteristics. The sharp rise and drop of estrogen levels can cause missed, irregular, and/or heavier periods. The drop of estrogen levels causes the reproductive organs to gradually shut down. After a while, the woman will no longer have periods. Other symptoms of menopause include hot flashes, confusion, mood swings, depression or sadness, and sexual problems. Eventually, as levels of estrogen stay low these side effects begin to taper off and disappear. Hormone therapy replacement is a common treatment for menopause, but there are some other options as well. Other treatments for menopause include support groups and/or counseling, vaginal lubricants, and several types of drugs to restore estrogen levels safely. A doctor should map out the best course of treatment.

Obesity is health condition that has in some cases been linked to hormones levels. It is a very serious condition that can result in death. It can also be the culprit of low self-esteem and depression. A person with an excessive amount of fat tissue is considered obese. Hormonal imbalances are not the main cause of obesity but it can contribute to a person being overweight. Conditions in which hormonal imbalances are to blame for obesity are if a person has suffered damage to the brain or brain dysfunction, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and Cushing’s disease. Symptoms of obesity include low energy levels, breathing problems, snoring, and body size. People who suffer from obesity are at greater risks for diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, cancer, gout, arthritis, heart disease, and strokes. Medical treatments for obesity include drugs that can affect appetite, metabolism, and energy levels. Surgeries such as gastroplasty and gastric bypass are other options to treat obesity. Treatment options should be decided with a medical doctor.

Another hormone related health condition is osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a condition in which there is a decrease in the quantity of bone tissue. This condition causes the bones to weaken making them more susceptible to fractures and breaks. Usually bone turnover occurs, this is a process in which the body produces a significant of bone tissue to replace the bone tissue that is broken down and absorbed by the body. In a person diagnosed with osteoporosis, bone turnover does not occur. The balance of bone tissue is lost causing, over time, thinning of the bones and loss of support connectors. The lack of strength can cause fractures and breaks, which can result from simple falls. In women, the lack of estrogen production due to menopause can cause osteoporosis. Estrogen helps to protect the bones. When the presence of estrogen is not as significant as it was before menopause, osteoporosis can occur. In men, the loss of sex hormones, estradiol or testosterone, and the decreasing function of the testicles can increase the risk of osteoporosis. High levels of the hormone cortisol, also Cushing’s syndrome, can cause osteoporosis. Excessive levels of cortisol in the body can result in bone loss. Hyperthyroidism, type I diabetes, hyperprolactinemia, and ovaries with abnormal function can all cause osteoporosis. Treatments for osteoporosis differ between genders and should be approved by a doctor before beginning.

Diabetes is a condition in which the body does not produce enough of the hormone insulin. Insulin is produced in the pancreas. The process of breaking down food to store it as energy, using the energy created, and then eliminating excess waste is metabolism. Insulin helps to regulate metabolism making it a very essential hormone to the body. When a person has diabetes, the pancreas does not produce enough insulin causing blood glucose levels to rise. Glucose and amino acids are not absorbed into the bloodstream because of the lack of insulin. Instead, the excess glucose is passed through the urine and out of the body before the body can get the energy needed. Type I diabetes also known as insulin-dependent diabetes and juvenile diabetes is the more severe form of the disease. People with this condition must take insulin to treat the disease. Symptoms of type I diabetes include constant hunger, increased thirst and urination, fatigue, weight loss, and blurred vision. Type II diabetes is the most common type of the disease. In this case, the body is resistant to the action of insulin and the pancreas is unable to produce enough to overcome this resistance. A healthy lifestyle can help to control type II diabetes with or without the use of medications to improve insulin production or decrease insulin resistance. Symptoms of type II diabetes also include increased thirst and urination, fatigue, weight loss, and blurred vision. Type II diabetes symptoms may also include nausea, slow healing of wounds, and frequent infections. The treatments for diabetes differ depending on the type and should always be under a doctor’s care.

Growth hormone deficiency also known as GHD can effect both adult and children. The lack of the growth hormone, somatotropin, can be caused by problems with the pituitary gland in the brain or other conditions. In children, GHD can cause a child to be short for his/her age and have decreased levels of blood sugars. Fat is deposited into the face and abdomen. This can cause the child to feel upset or sad about their height, weight and body appearance. Adults who have GHD can suffer from lack of energy, muscle weakness, and emotional distress among other things even if they are of normal height. The growth hormone makes a huge difference on a person’s emotional levels. Symptoms of GHD in adults can include but are not limited to lack of energy and vitality, loss of sexual interest, sleep problems, high cholesterol levels, and increased fat around the face and abdomen. The best treatment for children and adults is replacement therapy of the growth hormones usually given in daily shots. Other medications can be given to improve levels of anxiety and depression. Also cognitive-behavior therapy can help to eliminate negative feelings about self-image.

The thyroid is a small gland located inside the neck near the breathing airway. Thyroid hormones help control metabolism. Nearly every organ system is influenced by the thyroid hormones. Body temperatures, emotions, weight, and actions are just some of the things controlled by the thyroid. Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland is overly active producing too much of the thyroid hormone. More common in women than men, this condition causes the rate of metabolism to speed up. This also causes other organs to speed up resulting in too much body heat. A common form of hyperthyroidism is known as Grave’s Disease. Symptoms for hyperthyroidism include muscle weakness, fatigue, weight loss, rapid heartbeat, and infertility. Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland is unable to produce enough of the hormone. This is caused by the pituitary gland failing to produce the thyroid-stimulate hormone, TSH. The lack of the thyroid hormone can cause a slow down in the body’s major functions both physical and mental. Symptoms for hypothyroidism include lack of energy, weight gain, dry skin, high blood pressure, and slower heart rate. Hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can be treated with replacement therapy of the thyroid hormone through medication.

Hormone related conditions should be taken and treated seriously. Some of the disorders can lead to other serious health problems and/or death. Each condition should be evaluated by a doctor and treated accordingly.