Definition
Your endocrine system includes eight major glands throughout your body that work together to control the body’s metabolism, growth, energy level, response to injury, stress, mood, and reproductive functions.
Types of Chronic Endocrine Diseases:
- Acromegaly
- Adrenal Insufficiency (Addison’s Disease)
- Cushing’s Syndrome
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Hyperthyroidism (Graves’ Disease)
- Hypothyroidism (Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis)
- Prolactinoma
Risk Factors
Not all people with risk factors will develop endocrine disorders.
- Family history of an endocrine disorder
- High cholesterol
- Inactivity
- Injury
- Infection
- Personal history of autoimmune disorder
- Pregnancy
- Recent Surgery
- Trauma
- Unhealthy diet
Prevention
Many endocrine disorders are inherited, or arise due to unknown reasons, modifying certain risk factors may lower a person’s risk:
- Eat a balanced, healthy diet
- Get regular physical activity
Vaccines
The CDC recommends that all adults keep their vaccinations up to date. Childhood immunizations may wear off after time and need a “booster shot,” and you are at risk for other diseases as an adult.
All adults need:
- Influenza vaccine (every year)
- Tdap vaccine (if they did not receive it as an adolescent to protect against pertussis (whooping cough), and then a Td (tetanus, diphtheria) booster shot every 10 years.
Check with your doctor to see if there are other vaccines recommended for you.