Hypothalamic Disease
Everything You Need to Know By: Hunter Williams Burrows
The Endocrine System
In order to understand the disease, one must first understand the organ system. The Endocrine system functions in Communication and Control. It does this by providing slower but long lasting hormones into the blood to control bodily functions.
Glands and Organs:
- Hypothalamus (Head)
- Parathyroid Glands (Neck)
- Pineal Gland (Head)
- Pituitary Gland (Head)
- Thyroid Gland (Neck)
- Thymus (Upper Torso)
- Ovaries (Lower Torso) (found in Females)
- Pancreas (Lower Torso)
- Suprarena Glands (Also known as the Adrenal Glands) (Lower Torso)
- Testes (Lower Body) (found in Males)
- Uterus (Lower Torso) (found in Females)
Hypothalamic disease
What is it?
Hypothalamic disease is when the hypothalamus is not working properly. The Hypothalamus helps control the: Adrenal Glands, Ovaries, Testes, and Thyroid Gland.
It also helps regulate:
- Body temperature
- Childbirth
- Emotions
- Growth
- Milk production
- Salt and water balance
- Sleep
- Weight and appetite
Causes
- Surgery
- Inflammation (infections)
- Trauma
- Tumors
- Radiation
- Anorexia Nervosa
- Bleeding
- Genetic Disorders that cause iron buildup
- Malnutrition
Symptoms
- Issues in Growth (too little or too much growth)
- Loss of Vision or Headaches due to tumors
- Feeling cold all the time
- Constipation
- Weight Gain
- Dizziness
- Weakness
- Inability to smell (Men Only)
- Lowered function of Sexual Hormones (Men Only)
Prevention
To prevent Hypothalamus Disease, one should:
- Maintain a healthy diet
- Don't exercise too hard
- Lose weight too quickly
- Seek immediate medical care if you believe you have eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia.