What Is the Endocrine System?

The endocrine system is made up of glands that make hormones. Hormones are the body's chemical messengers.
They carry information and instructions from one set of cells to another.

The endocrine (pronounced: EN-duh-krin) system influences almost every cell, organ, and function of our bodies.

What Does the Endocrine System Do?

 Endocrine glands release hormones into the bloodstream. This lets the hormones travel to
cells in other parts of the body.
 The endocrine hormones help control mood, growth and development, the way our organs
work, metabolism , and reproduction.
 The endocrine system regulates how much of each hormone is released. This can depend on
levels of hormones already in the blood, or on levels of other substances in the blood, like calcium.
Many things affect hormone levels, such as stress, infection, and changes in the balance of fluid and
minerals in blood.

Too much or too little of any hormone can harm the body. Medicines can treat many of these problems.

What Are the Parts of the Endocrine System?

While many parts of the body make hormones, the major glands that make up the endocrine system are the:

 hypothalamus
 pituitary
 thyroid
 parathyroids
 adrenals
 pineal body
 the ovaries
 the testes
The pancreas is part of the endocrine system and the digestive system. That's because it secretes hormones into the
bloodstream, and makes and secretes enzymes into the digestive tract.
Hypothalamus: The hypothalamus (pronounced: hi-po-THAL-uh-mus) is in the lower central part of the brain. It links
the endocrine system and nervous system. Nerve cells in the hypothalamus make chemicals that control the release
of hormones secreted from the pituitary gland. The hypothalamus gathers information sensed by the brain (such as
the surrounding temperature, light exposure, and feelings) and sends it to the pituitary. This information influences
the hormones that the pituitary makes and releases.
 Pituitary: The pituitary (pronounced: puh-TOO-uh-ter-ee) gland is at the base of the brain, and is no bigger than a
pea. Despite its small size, the pituitary is often called the "master gland." The hormones it makes control many other
endocrine glands.

The pituitary gland makes many hormones, such as:

 growth hormone, which stimulates the growth of bone and other body tissues and plays a role
in the body's handling of nutrients and minerals
 prolactin (pronounced: pro-LAK-tin), which activates milk production in women who are
breastfeeding
 thyrotropin (pronounced: thy-ruh-TRO-pin), which stimulates the thyroid gland to make
thyroid hormones
 corticotropin (pronounced: kor-tih-ko-TRO-pin), which stimulates the adrenal gland to make
certain hormones
 antidiuretic (pronounced: an-ty-dy-uh-REH-tik) hormone, which helps control body water
balance through its effect on the kidneys
 oxytocin (pronounced: ahk-see-TOE-sin), which triggers the contractions of the uterus that
happen during labor
The pituitary also secretes endorphins (pronounced: en-DOR-fins), chemicals that act on the nervous system and
reduce feelings of pain. The pituitary also secretes hormones that signal the reproductive organs to make sex
hormones. The pituitary gland also controls ovulation and the menstrual cycle in women.
Thyroid: The thyroid (pronounced: THY-royd) is in the front part of the lower neck. It's shaped like a bow tie or
butterfly. It makes the thyroid hormones thyroxine (pronounced: thy-RAHK-sin) and triiodothyronine (pronounced: try-
eye-oh-doe-THY-ruh-neen). These hormones control the rate at which cells burn fuels from food to make energy. The
more thyroid hormone there is in the bloodstream, the faster chemical reactions happen in the body.

Thyroid hormones are important because they help kids' and teens' bones grow and develop, and they also play a
role in the development of the brain and nervous system.

Parathyroids: Attached to the thyroid are four tiny glands that work together called the parathyroids (pronounced:
par-uh-THY-roydz). They release parathyroid hormone, which controls the level of calcium in the blood with the help
of calcitonin (pronounced: kal-suh-TOE-nin), which the thyroid makes.
Adrenal Glands: These two triangular adrenal (pronounced: uh-DREE-nul) glands sit on top of each kidney. The
adrenal glands have two parts, each of which makes a set of hormones and has a different function:
1. The outer part is the adrenal cortex. It makes hormones called corticosteroids (pronounced:
kor-tih-ko-STER-oydz) that help control salt and water balance in the body, the body's response to
stress, metabolism, the immune system, and sexual development and function.
2. The inner part is the adrenal medulla (pronounced: muh-DUH-luh). It makes catecholamines
(pronounced: kah-tuh-KO-luh-meenz), such as epinephrine (pronounced: eh-puh-NEH-frun). Also
called adrenaline, epinephrine increases blood pressure and heart rate when the body is under stress.
Pineal: The pineal (pronounced: pih-NEE-ul) body, also called the pineal gland, is in the middle of the brain. It
secretes melatonin (pronounced: meh-luh-TOE-nin), a hormone that may help regulate when you sleep at night and
when you wake in the morning.
Reproductive Glands: The gonads are the main source of sex hormones. Most people don't realize it, but both guys
and girls have gonads. In guys the male gonads, or testes (pronounced: TES-teez), are in the scrotum. They secrete
hormones called androgens (pronounced: AN-druh-junz), the most important of which is testosterone (pronounced:
tess-TOSS-tuh-rone). These hormones tell a guy's body when it's time to make the changes associated with puberty,
like penis and height growth, deepening voice, and growth in facial and pubic hair. Working with hormones from the
pituitary gland, testosterone also tells a guy's body when it's time to make sperm in the testes.
A girl's gonads, the ovaries (pronounced: OH-vuh-reez), are in her pelvis. They make eggs and secrete the female
hormones estrogen (pronounced: ESS-truh-jen) and progesterone (pronounced: pro-JESS-tuh-rone). Estrogen is
involved when a girl starts puberty. During puberty, a girl will have breast growth, start to accumulate body fat around
the hips and thighs, and have a growth spurt. Estrogen and progesterone are also involved in the regulation of a
girl's menstrual cycle. These hormones also play a role in pregnancy.
Pancreas: The pancreas (pronounced: PAN-kree-us) makes insulin (pronounced: IN-suh-lin)
and glucagon (pronounced: GLOO-kuh-gawn), which are hormones that control the level of glucose, or sugar, in the
blood. Insulin helps keep the body supplied with stores of energy. The body uses this stored energy for exercise and
activity, and it also helps organs work as they should.

How Can I Help Keep My Endocrine System Healthy?

To help keep your endocrine system healthy:

 Get plenty of exercise.

 Eat a nutritious diet.

 Go for regular medical checkups.

 Talk to the doctor before taking any supplements or herbal treatments.

 Let the doctor know about any family history of endocrine problems, such
as diabetes or thyroid problems.

When Should I Call the Doctor?

Let the doctor know if you:

 drink a lot of water but are still thirsty
 have to pee often
 have frequent belly pain or nausea
 are very tired or weak
 are gaining or losing a lot of weight
 have tremors or sweat a lot
 are constipated
 are not growing or developing as expected
 KEEP YOUR REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM HEALTHY

Often overlooked, reproductive health is so important to our lives. If you plan on having a family one-day, it is in your best
interest to keep your reproductive system in good shape. Make sure you know your body and when something abnormal happens.
Definitely go see your doctor if you have any specific concerns with your body, don’t wait.

So how can you keep your reproductive system in good shape?

Keep a healthy diet and excersize

Having a healthy diet and good eating habits will benefit almost every part of your body and it is the root of several health issues.
Make sure you’re getting the right vitamins, minerals and nutrients for a healthy body. Eating well will prevent an overgrowth of
bad bacteria. Overall, try to stay away from sugar and too many carbs. Changes in your diet can also change your reproductive
health. Avoid smoking and drinking if you can as well. Practice healthy exercise on a regular basis.

Practice safe sex

Keeping yourself protected from sexually transmitted diseases will really benefit your reproductive health in the long and short
term. Several sexually transmitted diseases do not have a cure, so it is best to avoid that trouble all together.

Avoid harsh soaps and detergents

Harsh soap and detergents can really mess with your pH balance, which can cause several problems down the road. Be cautious
of perfumes as well. Try to use soaps and detergents that are free of dyes and perfumes.

See your gynecologist regularly

If you notice anything out of the ordinary or if you notice an infection, see your gynecologist right away for treatment. You want
to resolve the issue as soon as possible before additional issues arise. You should be tested regularly for any other issues and
these tests can help prevent issues as well.

Keep your reproductive health in good shape by following the tips above. Treat your body correctly and maintain a healthy diet,
practice safe sex and avoid harsh soaps and detergents. See your doctor regularly, especially if you notice any issues.

We hope these tips will help keep you in good health. If you have any health concerns or reproductive health related questions,
schedule an appointment or give us a call. We would love to see you or answer any questions or concerns you may have.

Keeping the Reproductive System Healthy

As was discussed in previous concepts, both infectious and noninfectious diseases of the reproductive system can be
very serious. But there are ways to keep your reproductive system healthy. What can you do to keep your
reproductive system healthy? You can start by making the right choices for overall good health. To be as healthy as
you can be, you should:

 Eat a balanced diet that is high in fiber and low in fat.

 Drink plenty of water.

 Get regular exercise.
 Maintain a healthy weight.

 Get enough sleep.

 Avoid using tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs.

 Manage stress in healthy ways.

Keeping your genitals clean is also very important. A daily shower or bath is all that it takes. Females do not need to
use special feminine hygiene products. In fact, using them may do more harm than good because they can irritate the
vagina or other reproductive structures.

You should also avoid other behaviors that can put you at risk. Do not get into contact with another person’s blood or
other body fluids. For example, never get a tattoo or piercing unless you are sure that the needles have not been
used before. This is one of the most important ways to prevent an STI. Of course, the only way to be fully protected
against STIs is to refrain from sexual activity.

If you are a boy, you should always wear a protective cup when you play contact sports. Contact sports include
football, boxing, and hockey. Wearing a cup will help protect the testes from injury. You should also do a monthly self-
exam to check for cancer of the testes.

If you are a girl and use tampons, be sure to change them every four to six hours. Leaving tampons in for too long
can put you at risk of toxic shock syndrome. This is a serious condition. Signs and symptoms of toxic shock
syndrome develop suddenly, and the disease can be fatal. The disease involves fever, shock, and problems with the
function of several body organs.

Girls should also get in the habit of doing a monthly self-exam to check for breast cancer. Although breast cancer is
rare in teens, it's a good idea to start doing the exam when you are young. It will help you get to know what is normal
for you.
 Follow the prevention guidelines below to keep your body and  nervous
system healthy:
1. Exercise regularly. ...
2. Do not smoke or use other tobacco products. ...
3. Get plenty of rest.
4. Take care of health conditions that may cause decreased nervous
system functioning, such as: ...
5. Eat a balanced diet.

How can I strengthen my nerves naturally?

Top 10 foods for brain and nervous system
1. Green leafy vegetables. Green leafy vegetables are rich in Vitamin B complex,
Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Magnesium all of which are important for proper functioning of
our nervous system. ...
2. Fish. ...
3. Dark chocolate. ...
4. Broccoli. ...
5. Eggs. ...
6. Salmon. ...
7. Avocados. ...
8. Almonds.