Ex. 14. Compose your own dialogue on hormonal problems

OVERVIEW

Pituitary gland disorders. Growth hormone (GH) stimulates growth in most tissues. Several pathological conditions are associated with abnormal GH secretion. They are hypersecretion and hyposecretion. The causes for hypersecretion or hyposecretion involve tumors in the hypothalamus or the pituitary, the synthesis of structurally abnormal GH, the inability of the liver to produce somatomedins and others. Chronic hyposecretion of GH in infants and children leads to dwarfism. Treatment for chronic hypersecretion of GH often involves surgical removal or irradiation of a GH-producing tumor. The most common thyroid disorders are hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland produces excessive amounts of thyroid hormone. The signs of this disorder are the following: weight loss despite increased appetite, increased heart rate and blood pressure, nervousness, swelling at the base of the neck and others. Three types of treatment are available: a liquid form of radioactive iodine, an antithyroid medication, and surgery. An underactive thyroid gland causes hypothyroidism. The key treatment is daily consumption of thyroid hormone.

LESSON 38

DIABETES MELLITUS