endocrine disorder The endocrine system is a fluid regulation system composed of endocrine glands, endocrine tissues, and endocrine cells. It primarily regulates hormone secretion based on neural system control and feedback from metabolic processes, thereby regulating various activities in the human body to maintain overall health. The human endocrine system includes several glands such as the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, thyroid gland, parathyroid glands, pancreas, adrenal glands, and gonads, as well as endocrine tissues and cells distributed in other organs.

The endocrine system is a fluid regulatory system composed of endocrine glands, endocrine tissues, and endocrine cells. It primarily regulates hormone secretion based on the dominance of the nervous system and feedback of substance metabolism, thereby controlling various activities in the human body to maintain overall health. The human endocrine system includes the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, thyroid, parathyroid, pancreas, adrenal glands, and sex glands, as well as endocrine tissues and cells distributed in other organs. Endocrine disorders, as the literal meaning suggests, can be understood as an abnormality in the function of the human endocrine system. It is not a specific disease, but a broad concept referring to a series of symptoms caused by various endocrine diseases resulting in abnormal hormone actions.

Different symptoms may correspond to different endocrine diseases. For instance, endocrine gland tumors can cause excessive hormone production, autoimmune damage can lead to insufficient hormone production, and some endocrine diseases can result in hormones being unable to function properly. These symptoms caused by endocrine diseases are collectively referred to as endocrine disorders or endocrine imbalances.

Classification by gland function

Hyperfunction: often accompanied by glandular hyperplasia and tumors, such as hyperthyroidism, also known as Graves' disease.

Hypofunction: caused by the destruction of endocrine glands due to various reasons, such as congenital abnormalities and genetic factors, for example, hypothyroidism.

Abnormal glandular tissue: such as solitary thyroid nodules and thyroid cancer.

Classification by site of onset

Primary lesions: glandular lesions, such as primary hypothyroidism.

Secondary lesions: lesions of the hypothalamus or pituitary gland, such as secondary hypothyroidism and tertiary hypothyroidism.

Endocrine system diseases are mainly caused by three major factors: excessive hormone production, insufficient hormone production, and hormone resistance in target tissues.

Excessive hormone production

It is mainly caused by factors such as endocrine gland tumors, multiple endocrine neoplasia, paraneoplastic endocrine syndromes, autoantibody production, genetic abnormalities, excessive intake of exogenous hormones, etc.

Insufficient hormone production

It is mainly caused by endocrine gland destruction, defects in hormone synthesis in endocrine glands, and diseases outside the endocrine glands. Gland destruction may be caused by autoimmune damage, tumor compression, infection, radiation damage, surgical resection, or ischemic necrosis.

Hormone resistance in target tissues

This refers to situations where hormone production is normal, but the hormone cannot function properly in the organ where it should exert its effects due to various reasons, such as dwarfism caused by mutations in the growth hormone receptor gene and thyroid hormone resistance syndrome caused by mutations in the thyroid hormone receptor gene.

Physiological factors

Young people in puberty experience disrupted hormone balance, leading to endocrine imbalances. Some endocrine system diseases in women are also related to genetic factors.

Nutritional factors

Unregulated diet, excessive fatigue, picky eating, etc., can lead to decreased digestive and absorptive functions, poor nutritional status, and decreased metabolic capacity, which can then cause endocrine system diseases.

Environmental factors

Increasing environmental pollution is another major factor leading to endocrine system diseases in the human body.

Emotional factors

The endocrine system is easily influenced by emotions, especially in women. Emotional anxiety, irritability, palpitations, and nervousness can lead to decreased endocrine function, potentially causing menstrual irregularities, dysmenorrhea, and in severe cases, infertility. Additionally, it can lead to excessive facial skin oil secretion, resulting in acne and other issues.

Hypopituitarism

A complex syndrome caused by pituitary hormone deficiency, which can involve a single hormone deficiency or simultaneous deficiency of multiple hormones. Signs and symptoms of hypopituitarism vary from person to person, depending on the affected pituitary hormones and the degree of impact. Symptoms may include fatigue, muscle weakness, changes in body fat composition, lack of ambition, and social isolation.

Thyroid diseases

Hyperthyroidism

Commonly referred to as "Graves' disease," often accompanied by goiter, exophthalmos, increased basal metabolism, and dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. Other symptoms may include weight loss, irregular heartbeat, anxiety, tremors, sweating, fatigue, and muscle weakness.

Hypothyroidism

Often referred to as "hypothyroidism." In mild cases, the symptoms may not be obvious, but in severe cases, characteristic non-pitting edema may occur, such as edema in the lower legs without skin depression when pressed.

In addition, common symptoms include a dull expression, slow reaction, rough skin, pale complexion, swollen eyelids and face, narrow eye fissures, difficulty in opening the eyes, thick lips and enlarged tongue, sparse and dry hair, loss of eyebrows' outer 1/3, hoarse voice, monotonous like a frog's voice, decreased hearing, cold limbs, intellectual decline, drowsiness or insomnia, dizziness, slow movement, ataxia, decreased appetite, constipation, shortness of breath, fatigue, brittle and thickened nails, weight gain, delayed Achilles tendon reflex, decreased libido, impotence in men, menstrual irregularities or amenorrhea in women, infertility, and other symptoms of decreased metabolism.

Adrenal cortex diseases

Cushing's syndrome

Caused by excessive secretion of adrenal cortex hormones, the main symptoms include moon face, buffalo hump, centripetal obesity, skin striae, acne, tendency towards diabetes, hypertension, and osteoporosis.

Adrenal cortex insufficiency

Main symptoms include gradually worsening general malaise, listlessness, fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, weight loss, dizziness, postural hypotension, and skin and mucous membrane pigmentation.

Pheochromocytoma

Originating from the adrenal medulla, sympathetic ganglia, or other parts of the chromaffin tissue, it causes sustained or paroxysmal hypertension and multiple organ functional and metabolic disorders. The main symptoms include paroxysmal or sustained hypertension, headache, excessive sweating, palpitations, and metabolic disorders.

Polycystic ovary syndrome

Excessive androgen levels lead to hirsutism, acne, anovulation, infertility, and polycystic changes in the ovaries.

Strictly speaking, traditional Chinese medicine does not have a diagnosis of endocrine disorders. Doctors will treat based on specific symptoms and causes. For example, if a patient primarily presents with facial acne, the doctor will consider the patient's diet, sleep, age, and other factors, analyze the cause, and may consider issues related to phlegm-dampness and spleen deficiency, providing targeted treatment. If a patient presents with obesity, possibly accompanied by symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, and shortness of breath, traditional Chinese medicine may consider issues related to qi deficiency, yang decline, and phlegm dampness stagnation.

It is recommended to seek treatment under the guidance of a physician at a reputable medical institution.

For the patient:

Pay attention to the regulation of physical and mental health. Maintain a positive and optimistic state of mind, overcome negative emotions such as anxiety and tension, and regulate metabolism by maintaining a balanced diet and proper hydration to ensure normal digestion and metabolism.

For family members of the patient:

Caring for the patient can be psychologically burdensome. Therefore, it is important to maintain a calm attitude, be patient with the patient, communicate with the patient, and alleviate the patient's psychological stress. In addition, assistance in the patient's diet, exercise, and emotional well-being is essential to help them recover to a healthy state as soon as possible.

Because the concept of endocrine disorders is broad and may involve various different endocrine diseases, it is advisable to adjust the diet according to the specific disease requirements. If there are no specific dietary or activity restrictions, the following daily life suggestions can be considered.

Diet

- Reduce oil and salt intake, minimize the consumption of highly salted condiments and pickled foods, focus on a balanced intake of meat and vegetables, and consume plenty of fruits and vegetables to maintain overall health.

- It is recommended to have a diverse diet, including fruits, vegetables, meat, eggs, dairy products, seafood, soy products, and nuts. Whole grains or starchy foods can be chosen as the main staple food.

- Proper balance of hunger and satiety is important; excessive eating should be avoided. The daily recommended food intake for adults, as per the "Chinese Dietary Guidelines," includes 250-400g of staple foods, 50-150g of grains (including legumes), 300-500g of vegetables, 200-350g of fruits, 40-75g of meat, 40-50g of eggs, 40-75g of seafood, 25-35g of soy products and nuts, and 300g of dairy products.

- Consumption of salt and fat should be moderate.

- Opt for some minimally processed foods, such as whole grains.

- Limit the consumption of sweets, as excessive intake can increase the risk of cavities, diabetes, and obesity.

Physical Activity

- Quit unhealthy habits, such as smoking, avoid prolonged sitting, engage in outdoor exercises, strike a balance between work and rest, ensure sufficient sleep, avoid staying up late, and maintain a healthy daily routine.