Endocrine Disorders Flashcards
What are the common disorders of the thyroid gland?
Hyperthyroidism and Hypothyroidism
These are among the most common endocrine disorders.
What causes hyperthyroidism?
Hypersecretion of thyroid hormones
List some symptoms of hyperthyroidism.
- Increased rate of metabolism
- Elevated body temperature
- Heat intolerance
- Increased appetite with weight loss
- Accelerated heart rate
- Insomnia
- Emotional lability
- Reduced attention span
What causes hypothyroidism?
Hyposecretion of thyroid hormones
List some symptoms of hypothyroidism.
- Decreased rate of metabolism
- Reduced appetite with weight gain
- Slowed heart rate
- Lowered body temperature
- Cold intolerance
- Depression
- Lethargy
- Decreased libido
- Confusion
- Impaired concentration and memory
What is the role of the pituitary gland?
Responsible for the release of several hormones including antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
What is another name for antidiuretic hormone (ADH)?
Vasopressin
What does ADH regulate?
The amount of water excreted in the urine
What can cause central diabetes insipidus?
- Low level of ADH due to:
- Tumor
- Infection
- Stroke
- Pituitary surgery
- Other factors
List some symptoms of central diabetes insipidus.
- Frequent and excessive urination
- Extreme thirst
- Dehydration
- Constipation
- Weight loss
- Low blood pressure
What is nephrogenic diabetes insipidus?
When diabetes insipidus is caused by a failure of the kidneys to respond to ADH
What organ maintains the body’s blood glucose balance?
The pancreas
The pancreas controls the release of insulin and other hormones.
What can cause hypoglycemia related to insulin?
Too much insulin released by the pancreas
This can occur due to a tumor or excessive doses of diabetic medication.
List symptoms of hypoglycemia.
- Nervousness
- Shaking
- Sweating
- Hunger
- Dizziness
- Irritability
- Confusion
- Weakness
- Sleepiness
- Pallor
- Blurred vision
- Tingling or numb lips and tongue
- Headaches
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Clumsiness
- Seizures
- Loss of consciousness
Symptoms can range from mild to severe.
What are some causes of hypoglycemia?
- High dose of insulin or diabetic medication
- Skipping meals
- Excessive exercise
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Severe hepatitis or cirrhosis of the liver
- Adrenal and pituitary gland disorders
Each of these factors can lead to decreased blood glucose levels.
What happens when the pancreas releases too little insulin?
Blood glucose levels increase, leading to diabetes mellitus
The body may also be unable to use the insulin produced.
What is Type 1 diabetes?
An autoimmune disease that destroys insulin-producing cells in the pancreas
Genetic predisposition and viral infections may trigger the autoimmune response.
What are the primary risk factors for Type 1 diabetes?
- Genetic predisposition
- Viral infections
- Other factors
These factors can lead to the autoimmune destruction of pancreatic cells.
What is Type 2 diabetes?
A condition where the pancreas produces insufficient insulin or the body cannot use the insulin effectively
It is the more common type of diabetes.
List risk factors for Type 2 diabetes.
- Genetic predisposition
- Being overweight
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Age over 45
- Certain racial/ethnic groups (Native Americans, African Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans)
These factors increase the likelihood of developing Type 2 diabetes.
What are common symptoms of both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes?
- Extreme hunger and thirst
- Frequent urination
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Numbness or tingling in hands or feet
- Frequent infections
These symptoms indicate high blood glucose levels.
True or False: Type 1 diabetes is more common than Type 2 diabetes.
False
Type 2 diabetes is the more common type.
