Endocrinology It is a branch of medicine that studies the functioning of the endocrine system and its disorders.
Endocrine System It consists of organs that produce different types of hormones.
Hormones In turn, they ensure the proper and smooth functioning of the entire organism.
Hormones
At any given moment, more than 40 different hormones circulate through the blood in the body. Each of them has its own specific job to do.
Hormones are often referred to as "messengers" because they help different parts of the body communicate with each other.
Overall, the endocrine system regulates such important vital processes as:
- Blood sugar control
- Growth and development
- Metabolism (energy exchange in the body)
- Regulation of heart rhythm and blood pressure
- Sexual development and function
- Reproduction/childbirth
- Mood
Hormonal balance
The main basis for the action of hormones is their balance in relation to each other.
Hormonal balance It is important for the proper functioning of almost every cell, tissue, and organ in the human body.
If one hormone is secreted in too little or too much quantity, it affects other hormones as well.
The body has mechanisms to correct changes that occur for one reason or another, however, with the development of certain diseases, it is no longer able to do this independently.
Common causes and processes that can lead to hormonal imbalance are:
- Disruption of the proper functioning of endocrine organs
- Production of too many or too few hormones
- Disruption of the body's response to the action of hormones
- Aging and menopause
- Taking certain medications
- Impact of environmental factors
Endocrine diseases
Endocrine diseases are managed by a doctor who specializes in this area and has Endocrinologist It's called.
The most common violations to deal with Endocrinologist It has to be:
- Diseases of the thyroid gland
- diabetes
- Obesity and metabolic disorders
- Adrenal gland diseases
- Pituitary diseases
- Reproductive health in women and men
- Growth and sexual development problems in childhood
- Cardiovascular system problems – disorders of fat metabolism, blood pressure
- Osteoporosis and bone health.
Most endocrine diseases are chronic in nature, so it is often necessary to maintain long-term and regular contact with an endocrinologist.
Treatment methods in endocrinology
The choice of treatment depends on what medical problem is being diagnosed and what is causing the problem.
To correct endocrine and hormonal disorders, a doctor often uses these methods individually or in the necessary combination:
- Medications
- Lifestyle change
- Surgery
Indications for a visit to an endocrinologist
Symptoms that indicate a possible endocrine disorder are:
- Change in appearance: a noticeable increase or decrease in body weight over a relatively short period of time
- Personality changes: increased excitability, emotional instability
- Menstrual cycle disorders
- Infertility
- Decreased sexual desire
- Discharge from the mammary gland
- Sweating disorders: increased sweating or dry skin
- Hair changes: excessive hair growth or increased hair loss
- Heart rhythm disturbances: tachycardia or bradycardia
- Blood pressure changes: high numbers or low numbers
- Appetite change: increase or decrease
- Muscle weakness
- Frequent bone fractures
- Growth retardation in children
- Family history of endocrine disease.
The presence of one or more of the following disorders indicates the need for a visit to an endocrinologist.
However, even in the absence of symptoms, periodic preventive check-ups with an endocrinologist and screening tests can be crucial for the timely detection of a number of hidden endocrine diseases and for positive results of subsequent treatment.
Pediatric endocrinology
The endocrine system, with the hormones it contains, begins to perform its important functions while still in the womb.
Endocrine system disorders in children and adolescents under 16 years of age Children's endocrinologist He/She drives.
In addition to diseases that are also found in adults, pediatric endocrinology also includes disorders specific to childhood.
In this case, we cannot say that a child's body is simply a smaller version of an adult's body. This is because hormonal changes at this age are often completely different from adult problems and require different approaches.
Congenital genetic diseases, growth and puberty disorders, diabetes, thyroid and adrenal gland pathologies - are the main areas of pediatric endocrinology.
Author: Elga Giorgadze (Endocrinologist)
English version summary
Endocrinology - when to visit a doctor
Endocrinology is a branch of medicine that studies the functioning of the endocrine system and its disorders.
Endocrine System consists of organs that produce different types of hormones.
Hormones in turn ensure the proper and smooth functioning of the entire organism.
Hormonal balance, endocrine diseases, the treatment methods in endocrinology, pediatric endocrinology - these interesting topics are discussed in this article.
Choose English version for more.
