Endocrine System
Latest articles on Endocrine System
Because their symptoms are common to a wide range of conditions, autoimmune disorders can be difficult to diagnose and treat. New combination therapies, however, can many times offer relief.
"The vast majority of thyroid cancer patients have no risk factors, although a history of exposure to radiation or radiation therapy involving the neck can play a role," says Gilbert Fareau, MD.
Occasionally the thyroid stops functioning properly, producing too much or too little thyroid hormone. Fortunately, both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can be treated effectively, Dr. Gilbert Fareau says.
Hot flashes, insomnia, irritability, and difficulty concentrating are very common in women going through menopause. For some, they present minimal burden on daily activities, but for others, they can affect quality of life.
In about one-third of cases infertility is due to female factors; in another one-third of cases, infertility is due to male factors. The remaining cases are caused by a mixture of male, female, and unknown factors.
"Endometriosis is a lifelong condition," says Gloria Halverson, MD, "but we can successfully control the symptoms."
"It has long been generally understood that sleep abnormalities are linked to disease progression and shortened longevity, but the specific reasons why this is so have been elusive," says Carol Everson, PhD.
"If I had a nickel for every time a woman asked me about hair loss, I would be as rich as all the entrepreneurs selling those sham 'hair growth' products," says Dr. Julie Mitchell.
The oral contraceptive pill may prolong the occurrence of regular menstrual periods, but once you are frankly postmenopausal, your periods will stop whether or not you are taking the pill.
Management of complex disorders of the pancreas, liver, gall bladder and bile duct is difficult and exacting. Fortunately, individuals with these disorders can find help and hope at the Pancreaticobiliary Center at Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin.
Replacing insulin-producing islet cells in the pancreas can now be done in two ways, through a whole pancreas transplant or through a less invasive and less costly process of injecting just the islet cells.
The prognosis for people with gallbladder and bile duct cancer has been poor, but the median length of survival has gradually increased. Dr. Henry Pitt discusses why these patients are living longer after surgery.
A Medical College of Wisconsin research team, collaborating with colleagues in Finland to study Type 1 diabetes, is producing a complex set of genetic maps that could tell us a great deal about the disease.
Thyroid hormones affect energy, muscle strength, weight, memory, menstruation, heart rate and cholesterol levels. But people with thyroid disorders can maintain their health with appropriate and regular care, says Dr. James Cerletty.
Although the connection between hormones and epilepsy was first mentioned in medical literature in 1855, little scientific attention was paid to the phenomenon. That’s beginning to change, says Dr. Marianna Spanaki-Varelas.
The age of puberty in girls is affected mainly by family patterns, says Dr. LuAnn Moraski. Early puberty can have a big emotional impact on children, but communication, support and reassurance will help ease their fears.
More than 20 million Americans have moderate kidney disease. Another 20 million are at risk. “If these patients are not diagnosed and treated,” says Dr. Walter Piering, “they will ultimately develop kidney failure.”
“We know the genetic abnormality behind CF and we know the biochemical abnormality it causes,” says Dr. Julie Biller, “but we still don’t know exactly why people with CF develop lung disease.”
Not too long ago CF was always fatal in childhood, but better treatment methods have increased the average lifespan of CF patients to nearly 30 years.
“If you’re diabetic,” says Dr. Rick Gillis, “you’re far more likely to have a heart attack, and to die of it, than someone who doesn’t have the disease.” In fact, having Type 2 diabetes is as strong a risk factor for heart attack as having Coronary Artery Disease.
|
