Acromegaly is a rare but serious condition caused by too much growth
hormone (GH) in the blood. GH is released into the bloodstream by the
pituitary gland, located at the base of the brain. The blood carries GH
to other parts of the body where it has specific effects. In children,
GH stimulates growth and development. In adults, GH
affects energy levels, muscle strength, bone health, and a sense of well-being.
Too much GH in children is called gigantism and is extremely rare.
Acromegaly in adults occurs mainly in middle-aged men and women. Each
year, about three new cases of acromegaly occur for every million
people.
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Resource:
The Hormone Foundation
http://www.lysetteiglesiasmd.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=471&Itemid=191
Congenital (con-JEN-ih-tuhl) adrenal (uh-DREEN-uhl) hyperplasia
(HY-per-PLAYzhee-uh), also called CAH, is a group of genetic disorders
in which the two adrenal glands do not work properly. Children inherit
one gene that causes this disorder from each of their parents. The
adrenal glands, located on top of each kidney, make hormones that are
essential for body functions.
People with CAH lack one of the enzymes needed for proper function of
the adrenal glands. (An enzyme is a protein that causes a chemical
change in the body.) Without the enzyme, the adrenal glands may produce
too little of the hormones cortisol and/or aldosterone and too much
androgen. CAH can be severe (classic) or mild (nonclassic).
Read more
Resource:
The Hormone Foundation
http://www.lysetteiglesiasmd.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=472&Itemid=192
Cushing’s syndrome consists of the physical and mental changes that
result from having too much cortisol in the blood for a long period of
time. Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced by the adrenal glands,
located above the kidneys. In normal amounts, cortisol helps the body:
• respond to stress
• maintain blood pressure and cardiovascular function
• keep the immune system in check
• convert fat, carbohydrates, and proteins into energy
Read more
Resource:
The Hormone Foundation
http://www.lysetteiglesiasmd.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=474&Itemid=193
The pituitary gland is about the size of a pea and found just below the
base of the brain, behind the nose. It is made up of many different
kinds of cells, each of which produces a specific hormone. In turn, each
hormone sends signals to other glands or organs in the body to do a
particular job.
Because the pituitary affects so many functions of the body it is called the master gland.
Read more
Resource:
The Hormone Foundation
http://www.lysetteiglesiasmd.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=475&Itemid=194
Bariatric surgery helps people who are very obese to lose a lot of
weight. It limits how much food your stomach can hold, making you feel
full after just a small meal (called restriction), and sometimes also
limits the calories and nutrients your body can absorb (called
malabsorption). People have this type of surgery if other methods of weight loss have not worked for them and/or if they have serious health problems caused by obesity.
Bariatric surgery has both benefits and risks for your endocrine
system—the network of glands that produce, store, and release hormones.
Hormones play a part in your body’s energy balance, reproductive system,
growth and development, and reactions to stress and injury. Different
types of bariatric surgery vary in the kind and degree of risks and
benefits.
Read more
Resource:
The Hormone Foundation
http://www.lysetteiglesiasmd.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=478&Itemid=196
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a main cause of heart and
blood vessel (cardiovascular) disease. Hypertension greatly raises your
risk of heart attack, stroke and kidney failure, which may lead to
death. Since people with hypertension often have no symptoms, it has
been called “the silent killer.”
As blood flows through the body, it pushes against the walls of
the arteries. The force of this push in the arteries is the blood
pressure. The measurement of blood pressure includes two readings. An
example is 120/80 mm Hg (millimeters of mercury). The first number is
the systolic pressure as the heart contracts; the second number is the
diastolic pressure when the heart relaxes between beats.
Read more
Resource:
The Hormone Foundation
http://www.lysetteiglesiasmd.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=479&Itemid=197
Obesity is a chronic medical condition characterized by too much body
fat. Obesity is diagnosed by a number called the Body Mass Index (BMI).
Your BMI is calculated from your current height and weight. In general,
the higher the BMI, the more body fat a person has. Some bodybuilders
and elite athletes have high BMIs, but they have more muscle mass than
the average person and are not considered obese.
Read more
Resource:
The Hormone Foundation
http://www.lysetteiglesiasmd.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=480&Itemid=198
