Anatomy Endocrine System
Research each of the following and write a paragraph describing the endocrine gland, hormone, target tissue, symptoms, causes, and treatment options.
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
Human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG, is a hormone that helps with the development of an egg in a woman’s ovary, as well as the release of the egg during ovulation. If the body doesn’t produce enough hCG on it’s own, you can receive injections of it. The injections aren’t for women only, they can be used in men to increase sperm count or in young boys if their testes haven’t dropped on their own for one reason or another.
Cushing’s disease
Cushing’s disease is caused by a tumor or other growth on the pituitary gland of the endocrine system. Due to the growth, the pituitary gland releases too much ACTH which stimulates the production of cortisol (a stress hormone). The most common symptoms are: a slow growth rate in children, back or other bone pain, excess hair growth, irregular or discontinued menstrual cycle, and decreased sex drive. The most likely type of treatment is to try and remove the growth from the pituitary gland and see if it continues to produce ACTH in excessive amounts.
Addison’s disease
Addison’s disease affects the endocrine system, and does not allow it to produce enough stress hormones (cortisol and aldosterone). Some of the most common symptoms are weakness, joint pain, nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, changes in mood, or loss of appetite. Addison’s disease is usually caused by autoimmune diseases, which ends up damaging the adrenal glands. Treatment usually includes taking replacement corticosteroids.
Acromegaly
Acromegaly affects the pituitary gland of the endocrine system. It causes it to produce too much growth hormone (GH). Symptoms include joint aches, excessive sweating, fatigue, headaches, and impaired vision. Most cases of acromegaly are caused by a benign tumor on the pituitary gland. Therefore, the most common treatment is surgery or radiation therapy
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
Human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG, is a hormone that helps with the development of an egg in a woman’s ovary, as well as the release of the egg during ovulation. If the body doesn’t produce enough hCG on it’s own, you can receive injections of it. The injections aren’t for women only, they can be used in men to increase sperm count or in young boys if their testes haven’t dropped on their own for one reason or another.
Cushing’s disease
Cushing’s disease is caused by a tumor or other growth on the pituitary gland of the endocrine system. Due to the growth, the pituitary gland releases too much ACTH which stimulates the production of cortisol (a stress hormone). The most common symptoms are: a slow growth rate in children, back or other bone pain, excess hair growth, irregular or discontinued menstrual cycle, and decreased sex drive. The most likely type of treatment is to try and remove the growth from the pituitary gland and see if it continues to produce ACTH in excessive amounts.
Addison’s disease
Addison’s disease affects the endocrine system, and does not allow it to produce enough stress hormones (cortisol and aldosterone). Some of the most common symptoms are weakness, joint pain, nausea/vomiting/diarrhea, changes in mood, or loss of appetite. Addison’s disease is usually caused by autoimmune diseases, which ends up damaging the adrenal glands. Treatment usually includes taking replacement corticosteroids.
Acromegaly
Acromegaly affects the pituitary gland of the endocrine system. It causes it to produce too much growth hormone (GH). Symptoms include joint aches, excessive sweating, fatigue, headaches, and impaired vision. Most cases of acromegaly are caused by a benign tumor on the pituitary gland. Therefore, the most common treatment is surgery or radiation therapy