Adrenal Disorders

Addison Disease (hypofunction of adrenals) is usually caused by autoimmune destruction of the gland. It  may also result from a deficiency of pituitary ACTH. The lack of aldosterone results in water loss, low blood pressure, and electrolyte imbalance. There is also weakness and nausea  and an increase in brown pigmentation. . Once diagnosed,  Addison  disease is treated with replacement of cortical hormones.n

Cushing Syndrome (excess of adrenal cortical hormones) Patients have moon-shaped faces , obesity localized in the torso , weakness , excess hair growth (hirsutism) , and fluid retention. The most  common cause of Cushing syndrome is the therapeutic  administration of steroid hormones.  An adrenal tumor is  another possible cause. If the disorder is caused by a pituitary tumor that increases ACTH production, it is referred  to as Cushing disease.m

Pancreas Disorders

The most common endocrine disorder, and a serious public health problem, is diabetes mellitus (DM), a failure of  the body cells to use glucose effectively. The excess glucose  accumulates in the blood, causing hyperglycemia. Increased  urination (polyuria) marks the effort to eliminate the excess  glucose in the urine, a condition termed glycosuria. The  result is dehydration and excessive thirst (polydipsia).  There  is also weakness, weight loss, and extreme hunger  (polyphagia). Unable to use carbohydrates, the body burns more fat.  This  leads to accumulation of ketone bodies in the blood and  a shift toward acidosis, a condition termed ketoacidosis. If untreated, diabetes will lead to starvation of the central  nervous system and coma. Diabetic patients are prone to  cardiovascular, neurologic, and visual problems; infections;  and renal failure.m