The endocrine system is vital in regulating mood, growth and development, tissue function, metabolism, and sexual function and reproductive processes. The endocrine system oversees body processes that happen slowly, such as cell growth.

Homeostasis is the maintenance of a constant internal environment, with chemical and temperature equilibrium. The functions of the Endocrine System are to maintain homeostasis in the body by releasing chemicals called hormones. Hormones control reproduction; growth and development; mobilization of body defenses against stressors; maintenance of electrolyte, water, and nutrient balance of the blood; and regulation of cellular metabolism and energy balance. The Endocrine System regulates processes that continue for periods of time.

Negative Feedback -The body senses an internal change and activates mechanisms that reverse, or negate, that change. An example of negative feedback is body temperature regulation. If blood temperature rises too high, the hypothalamus of the brain senses it. It sends messages to the blood vessels of the skin that tell them to dilate. More blood flows close to the body surface and excess heat radiates from the body. If this is not enough to cool the body back to its set point, the brain activates sweating.

In type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin, a hormone that is needed for cells to uptake glucose. Symptoms include increased thirst, weight loss, fatigue, blurred vision. Only 5% of people with diabetes have this form of the disease. Treatment: Taking insulin Exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy weight Eating healthy foods Monitoring blood sugar With type 2 diabetes, the cells either resist the effects of insulin or the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin to maintain a normal glucose level. It can be kept under control with diet and exercise and insulin injections. Untreated, type 2 diabetes can be life- threatening. The symptoms of type 2 diabetes are similar to those of type 1, but include slow healing rate and increased susceptibility to infection. DIABETES I AND II AFFECTS 8.3% OF THE POPULATION

One disorder of the endocrine system is precocious puberty, in which the body starts sexual development too soon Signs and symptoms of precocious puberty occur before ages 8-9 Precocious puberty symptoms in girls include: Breast growth First period (menstruation) Precocious puberty symptoms in boys include: Enlarged testicles and penis Facial hair (usually grows first on the upper lip) Deepening voice It can be caused by tumors in the brain or abnormal growths in the endocrine glands or be hereditary in origin. When there is no underlying medical condition, the patient is given monthly injections of a puberty-suppressing hormone until the normal age of puberty. However, if there is another medical condition causing precocious puberty, such as a tumor that is producing hormones, the condition will case when the tumor is removed.

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