Diabetes and Endocrinology

The endocrine system is a network of glands that produce and release hormones directly into blood which help in controlling many important body functions. The endocrine system influences heartbeat, growth of bones and tissue, even the ability to make a baby. It plays a role on development of diabetes, thyroid disease, growth disorders, sexual dysfunction, and a host of other hormone-related disorders.

Reproductive endocrinology is a branch of medicine that identifies and treats infertility in both men and women. It is a sub-specialty of Obstetrics and Gynecology. The hormonal functioning as it indirectly relate to reproduction. Evaluation and treatment of hormonal dysfunctions in females and males outside infertility is done. Reproductive endocrinologists have special training in obstetrics and gynecology before they undergo sub-specialty training in Reproductive endocrinology and infertility.

Molecular and Cellular endocrinology is the field of study that majorly focuses on all aspects related to the biochemical and genetic effects, secretions and synthesis of extracellular signals (hormones, neurotransmitters, etc.) and to the understanding of cellular regulatory mechanisms involved in hormonal control.

Endocrine cancer is cancer that begins in any of the endocrine glands. The most common type of endocrine cancer is thyroid cancer, which begins in the thyroid gland. Endocrine cancer is a complex disease which is not defined by defined by location or stage. Cancer in each patient is different, behaving differently in the bodies.

Pediatric endocrinology deals with disorders of the endocrine glands, such as variations in sexual development, physical growth, diabetes in childhood. It includes patients from infancy to late adolescence and young adulthood. The most common disease of the specialty is type 1 diabetes, which accounts for at least 50% of clinical practice. The next problem is growth disorders, especially those which involve growth hormone treatment. Pediatric endocrinologists are usually the primary physicians involved in the medical care of infants and children with intersex disorders.

Obesity is a complex disorder to address which involves an excessive amount of body fat. Obesity is caused by many behaviors which may include dietary patterns, physical activity, inactivity, medication use, and other exposures. It results due to a combination of contributing and causing factors, which includes individual factors such as behavior, genetics and less physical activity. It is associated with many metabolic disorders and can increase of diseases and health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure.

Diabetic Retinopathy is a complication of diabetes which consists of group of eye problems. People with diabetes have a risk for diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and cataract. Diabetic retinopathy is the most common eye disease caused by diabetes and id the leading cause of blindness. It is caused in retina when change in blood vessels occurs. It can develop in anyone having type 1 or type 2 diabetes. The less controlled your blood sugar is and longer you have diabetes, the more likely you are to develop diabetic retinopathy

Diabetic nephropathy is a complication of diabetes which can progress to kidney failure in some cases. Treatment is aimed to prevent or delay the progression of the disease. Diabetes causes the small blood vessels in the body to get injured. When this injury occurs in kidneys, they cannot clean your blood properly. Body will retain more water and salt than it should, this can result in weight gain and ankle swelling.

Gestational diabetes is developed during pregnancy (gestation). Like other types of diabetes, gestational diabetes  affects the usage of glucose by cells. High blood sugar can be caused by gestational diabetes and this can affect the pregnancy and the health of baby. Gestational diabetes can be controlled by women by eating healthy foods, exercising and taking medication if necessary. Controlling blood sugar can prevent a difficult birth and can keep both the mother and baby healthy. In gestational diabetes, blood sugar returns to normal soon after delivery. But a person having gestational diabetes can have a risk for type 2 diabetes.

Nutrition, diet and physical activity are important parts of a healthy lifestyle when you have diabetes. To manage your blood glucose, food, physical activity and diabetes medicine should be balanced. The type of food,  quantity, time are all important in keeping the blood glucose level in the range. A diabetes diet is based on eating three meals a day at regular timings. This helps a body to use the insulin in a better way till it produces or gets through a medication. The diet should include healthy carbohydrates, fiber-rich foods, heart-healthy fish, good fats

Insulin resistance contributes to the pathophysiology of diabetes. It is a hallmark of obesity, metabolic syndrome and other cardiovascular diseases. Direct and indirect methods of varying complexity are currently employed for these purposes. Endocrine disorders involve the body’s over production or under production of certain hormones while the metabolic disorders affect the body’s ability to process certain nutrients and vitamins. Endocrine disorders include several diseases like hypothyroidism, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, diseases of the parathyroid gland, diabetes mellitus, diseases of the adrenal glands (including Cushing’s syndrome and Addison’s disease), and ovarian dysfunction among others. Examples of metabolic disorders include cystic fibrosis, phenylketonuria (PKU), hyperlipidemia, gout, and rickets.

Herbal supplements and remedies are used for the treatment of diabetes and hormonal problems such as estrogen and progesterone levels and treatment for menopausal hormone imbalance, etc. These include Capsaicin cream, a topical ointment made with cayenne, has been reported by some patients to help lower pain in the hands and feet from diabetic neuropathy.  Evening primrose oil is thought to help diabetic nerve pain. Alternative treatments include Acupuncture, Natural Dietary Supplements, Plant Foods

Diabetes is classified as type 1 diabetes mellitus and type 2 diabetes mellitus bases on etiology. The diagnosis is based on the measurement of A1C level, fasting or random blood glucose level, or oral glucose tolerance testing. Diabetes can be diagnosed if the patient has a fasting blood glucose level of 126 mg per dL (7.0 mmol per L) or greater on two separate occasions. The diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes include Glycated hemoglobin (A1C) test, Random blood sugar test, Fasting blood sugar test, Oral glucose tolerance test.