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How to Manage Your Endocrine Health
For such a specialized field, endocrinology covers a wide range of diseases and disorders that affect different parts of the body. Nevertheless, understanding what endocrinology is and how patients can treat these disorders can drastically improve their quality of life.
What Is Endocrinology?
Endocrinology is a branch of medicine that studies and treats the endocrine system, a system of nine glands and organs that produce and store hormones and distribute them throughout the body.
In the United States, the most common endocrine disorder is diabetes, but endocrine disorders can also range from glucose and calcium deficiencies — such as osteoporosis — to abnormal or stunted growth (gigantism and dwarfism). Endocrine disorders can also include a number of sex hormone disorders, including early menopause, delayed or precocious puberty, and other disorders related to sexual development.
How to Treat Endocrine Diseases:
Some endocrine disorders such as type 1 diabetes are inherited, though others like type 2 diabetes and osteoporosis are acquired. Risk factors for endocrine disorders include:
- High cholesterol
- Family history
- Inactivity
- Personal history of autoimmune disorders
- Poor diet
- Pregnancy (in cases of hyperthyroidism)
- Recent surgery, trauma, infection or serious injury
Managing these risks can help ensure a healthy life not only for you, but for your children who could potentially inherit these disorders. Make healthy lifestyle choices such as eating a healthy, well-balanced diet and getting plenty of physical activity and exercise.
However, some disorders may require medication to treat them. Surgery may also be required in the case of tumors and cancers of the endocrine system. An endocrinologist will prescribe these treatments as needed. While some disorders may be avoidable, making healthy choices can mitigate the symptoms of endocrine disorders and help you live your life to its fullest potential.