Endocrine disorders and diseases

#Endocrine disorders and diseases #Genetic disorders #Growth disorders #T #Women's health

Turner syndrome

By Dr. Ahmed Hafez

What is Turner syndrome? Turner syndrome is a genetic disorder affecting some females. It might cause problems with hearing, vision and fertility. It does not usually affect intellectual ability. Treatment with hormones can help manage some of the problems. Turner syndrome is a genetic disorder. This means there has been a change in the person’s DNA. Normally, a female has two X chromosomes in each cell. Turner syndrome happens when all or part of one of these X chromosomes is missing. The change in DNA can affect the child’s development. Turner syndrome affects about 1 in every 2,500 females born

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Diabetes

By Dr. Ahmed Hafez

Key facts Diabetes mellitus, more commonly known simply as diabetes, refers to a group of diseases that can cause high levels of glucose (a type of sugar) in your blood. Diabetes happens when your pancreas can’t produce enough of the hormone insulin or your body becomes resistant to it. Symptoms of diabetes are feeling tired, hungry or excessively thirsty, and passing more urine (wee) than usual. Common diabetic conditions are type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes and pre-diabetes. You can manage diabetes by taking medicines to manage your blood glucose levels, adopting a healthy diet and being physically

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#Endocrine disorders and diseases #P #Women's health

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)

By Sama Mohamed

Key facts Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal condition that affects up to 1 in 10 females in their reproductive years.   It may cause disruptions to the menstrual cycle, skin and hair changes, cysts on the ovaries and infertility. PCOS can cause a wide range of symptoms including excessive hair growth, menstrual irregularities and acne. PCOS increases your risk of other medical problems including high blood pressure and diabetes. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and following your doctor’s recommendations can help you manage the symptoms of PCOS and reduce your chance of complications. What is PCOS? Polycystic ovarian

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#Endocrine disorders and diseases #H #Metabolic diseases

Hypothyroidism

By Sama Mohamed

Key facts Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) occurs when the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone. Symptoms vary, but can include fatigue, weight gain, heavy periods or sensitivity to the cold. The most common cause of hypothyroidism in Australia is the autoimmune disease, Hashimoto’s disease. Your doctor will diagnose hypothyroidism after referring you for a blood test. Hypothyroidism is often treated with a synthetic version of the hormone thyroxine. What is hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)? Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) is a medical condition where the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormone for normal body function. The thyroid gland is located in the

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#Endocrine disorders and diseases #H #Metabolic diseases

Hyperthyroidism

By Sama Mohamed

Key facts The thyroid is a gland in the neck, near the base of the throat, that helps control some of your body’s metabolic processes. Hyperthyroidism (sometimes called thyrotoxicosis or overactive thyroid) is when your thyroid gland is overactive. The most common symptoms of hyperthyroidism are feeling anxious or nervous, being unable to tolerate heat, having heart palpitations, feeling tired and losing weight. To diagnose hyperthyroidism, your doctor will examine you and send you for a blood test to measure the levels of your thyroid hormones. Hyperthyroidism can be treated with medications, radioactive iodine therapy or surgery. What is my

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#Endocrine disorders and diseases #H #Metabolic diseases

Hashimoto’s disease

By Sama Mohamed

What is Hashimoto’s disease? Hashimoto’s disease is an autoimmune condition. In Hashimoto’s disease, your body’s immune system attacks your thyroid gland, preventing it from producing enough thyroid hormone. In rare cases, Hashimoto’s disease can cause you to produce too much thyroid hormone. Your thyroid gland is a bow-shaped gland near the base of your throat. This gland produces thyroid hormones. These hormones influence important body processes such as body temperature, energy levels and growth. Thyroid hormones are important for your metabolism. Low thyroid hormone levels may cause a range of symptoms, such as tiredness, weight gain and intolerance to cold temperatures. What are the symptoms of

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Graves’ disease

By Sama Mohamed

Key facts Graves’ disease, the most common cause of an overactive thyroid, is an autoimmune disease most common in females aged 20 to 40 years. Your symptoms may include anxiety, irritability, a racing heart, feeling hot, sweating and tremor. You may have bulging eyes and an enlarged thyroid gland (goitre) in your neck. Your doctor can diagnose Graves’ disease with blood tests and treat you with medications and sometimes surgery. What is Graves’ disease? Graves’ disease is an autoimmune disease (immune system disorder), that causes your thyroid gland to produce too much thyroid hormone. This happens because your body’s immune system produces

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#Endocrine disorders and diseases #G #Growth disorders

Gigantism

By Sama Mohamed

What is gigantism? Gigantism is a very rare condition. It causes children to grow faster than normal and grow very tall. There is treatment for gigantism. Some affected children may still have symptoms after treatment. They need regular check-ups with their doctor as they grow. What are the symptoms of gigantism? Gigantism can appear in a child of any age, from baby to teenager. The main symptom is faster than normal growth. This means that your child will be unusually tall for their age. They can also have: a large head a very noticeable forehead a jaw that seems to

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#Endocrine disorders and diseases #G #Pregnancy

Gestational diabetes

By Sama Mohamed

Key facts Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that starts during pregnancy. Diabetes is a condition caused by too much glucose (sugar) in the blood stream. If you’re pregnant, it’s recommended that you have routine screening for gestational diabetes between week 24 and 28. Treatment for gestational diabetes usually involves monitoring your blood sugar levels, changing your diet and may involve taking medicines including insulin. Having gestational diabetes makes you more likely to develop type 2 diabetes in the future.   What is gestational diabetes? Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that starts during pregnancy. It is different

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Cushing’s syndrome

By Sama Mohamed

What is Cushing’s syndrome? Cushing’s syndrome is a condition where your body is exposed to too much of the hormone called cortisol. This can be because your body is making too much cortisol, or because you have taken a lot of oral corticosteroid medicines. If you have Cushing’s syndrome, it is treatable. Cortisol is a hormone that is made by the adrenal glands. You have two adrenal glands, one sitting on the top of each kidney. Cortisol is involved in many different parts of your body. It is produced all day, and especially during times of stress. Cushing’s syndrome is most often diagnosed

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#C #Endocrine disorders and diseases #Genetic disorders

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia

By Sama Mohamed

What is congenital adrenal hyperplasia? Congenital adrenal hyperplasia, or CAH, is an inherited group of conditions that affects the adrenal glands. These glands, which sit above the kidneys, make hormones such as cortisol, aldosterone (which helps to regulate salt levels in the body) and androgens (male sex hormones). In many cases, a person who has CAH makes too many androgens and not enough cortisol and aldosterone. CAH can affect a child’s normal growth and development, including normal growth of the genitals. What are the types of congenital adrenal hyperplasia? There are 2 main types of CAH. Classic CAH is the more severe form and

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Adrenal fatigue

By Sama Mohamed

Key facts Adrenal fatigue is a term used to explain a condition caused by chronic (long-term) exposure to stressful situations. Adrenal fatigue is not currently an accepted medical diagnosis. It’s important to check with your doctor that there isn’t another cause for your tiredness. What is adrenal fatigue? Adrenal fatigue is a term used by alternative health practitioners to explain tiredness and other symptoms which are thought to be due to chronic (long-term) exposure to stressful situations. However, it currently is not a recognised medical diagnosis. Many studies have failed to prove that adrenal fatigue is a medical condition. Adrenal

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Addison’s disease

By Sama Mohamed

What is Addison’s disease? Addison’s disease is a rare condition where the adrenal glands do not produce enough of the hormones cortisol and aldosterone (both corticosteroids). Addison’s disease is also known as primary adrenal insufficiency. Secondary adrenal insufficiency occurs when the pituitary gland in the brain does not release enough of the hormone that stimulates the adrenal gland to release cortisol. Addison’s disease can make people feel weak and tired, but it can also be effectively treated with hormones to replace those that are missing. What are the symptoms of Addison’s disease? Addison’s disease develops slowly, usually over months. The

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Acromegaly

By Sama Mohamed

What is acromegaly? Acromegaly is a rare disorder that affects adults and is caused by overproduction of growth hormone. Growth hormone (also called human growth hormone, GH or HGH) controls the normal growth of the body’s tissues, organs and bones, as well as helping control its metabolism. A similar condition, known as gigantism, can occur in children and can make them grow very tall. Adults with too much growth hormone don’t grow exceptionally tall because once they have gone through puberty, their long bones don’t grow any longer. What are the symptoms of acromegaly? The main signs of acromegaly are: changes to

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