Saturday, July 4, 2015

Why Patients Seek Help From An Endocrinologist In Conroe TX

By Francis Riggs


Physicians who diagnose and treat health disorders affecting the hormone-producing glands are called endocrinologists. In most cases, a patient's general practitioner will refer him or her to this specialist to correct a hormone imbalance. An endocrinologist in Conroe TX can treat a variety of diseases but the most common are thyroid disorders and diabetes.

To become an endocrinologist, candidates will undergo up to a decade of training. These individuals complete four years of medical school after obtaining a bachelor's degree. Medical school graduates must complete three to four years of residency before applying for a state license to practice medicine.

Hormones are responsible for regulating a wide range of physiological processes. These include reproduction, growth, metabolism, and food absorption. The production of hormones also helps people respond to the environment and provides the energy necessary to function properly.

The endocrine system consists of many glands located in various parts of the body. The hypothalamus, ovaries, thyroid, thymus, adrenals, testes, and pituitary are some of those glands. The glands in this system introduce hormones directly into the blood stream for delivery to target organs elsewhere in the body. The exocrine system is different because it feeds hormones directly to an organ through a duct.

An endocrinologist receives the necessary training to diagnose hormone imbalances. When treating patients, their goal is to restore the proper balance. Depending on the disease, some of the ways they accomplish this is by blocking hormone production, prescribing hormone replacement therapy, or suggesting dietary changes.

Diabetes patients will see this type of specialist to help them achieve the proper blood sugar levels in the body. This disease develops when the pancreas fails to secrete adequate insulin to process dietary sugar. Blood sugar levels are higher than normal, which damages other organs. Endocrinologists will advise patients to cut back on sugar in the diet and may prescribe insulin or other medications that can lower sugar levels in the circulation system.

An endocrinologist can also help patients who have an imbalance of thyroid hormone. Patients who need more thyroid hormone suffer with various symptoms, including fluid retention, fatigue, constipation, depression, and sore muscles and joints. Some women with this problem will experience excessive bleeding while menstruating. Prescribing synthetic hormones can help patients with this condition.

Having too much thyroid hormone in the body can lead to tremors, weight loss, excessive sweating, and an inability to tolerate heat. Patients with this condition often have a rapid heart rate and may feel nervous or anxious. Antithyroid medication keeps the thyroid from producing too much hormone. Symptom relief with this treatment can occur in one to eight weeks after beginning treatment.

Endocrinologists can help patients with many other diseases besides diabetes and thyroid disorders. They may work closely with gynecologists to treat infertility or manage menopause symptoms. Many endocrine disorders require life-long care, which requires an effective relationship between physician and patient.




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