With the appearance of unpleasant symptoms, indicative of diseases of the endocrine system, patients turn to a therapist who can redirect them to an endocrinologist. Many get acquainted with this doctor for the first time and are asked by the question: "What does the endocrinologist treat?". In his field of activity are pathologies of organs that are responsible for the release of hormones into the body, and not only.
Endocrinologist - who is this and what heals?
The endocrine system of the organism transmits information between tissues and cells and, with the help of hormones, regulates their work. The tasks of a professional in this field are to ensure the effective and uninterrupted functioning of the system and to find effective methods for eliminating the violations that have occurred. The endocrinologist diagnoses and treats endocrine diseases, takes preventive measures for the occurrence of repeated failures.
Endocrinologist - who is this?
This medical worker can be attributed to a wide range of specialists. Although he can only engage in one activity, for example, the endocrinologist-gynecologist treats hormonal diseases of the female genital area, and the endocrinologist performs operations on the thyroid gland . But in a general sense, an endocrinologist is a doctor who relieves and controls a variety of pathologies associated with organs not only of the endocrine, but also of other systems, if the disturbances in one provoked the problems of the other. In addition, the endocrinology subsections include:
- diabetology;
- children's endocrinology.
Diabetes mellitus is one of the most frequent and common problems with which go to a specialist of this profile. In addition, he studies and treats the pathology of organs and glands: thyroid gland, adrenal gland, pituitary gland, hypothalamus, etc. To the diseases and conditions that the endocrinologist treats, include:
- acromegaly (production of a large amount of growth hormone);
- diabetes insipidus ;
- autoimmune diseases;
- pancreatitis ;
- adrenal insufficiency, including Itenko-Cushing's disease ;
- education in the thyroid gland;
- violation of lipid metabolism, etc.
Endocrinologist - what heals for women?
What does the endocrinologist treat in the fairer sex? Female diseases of the endocrine system are often associated with the thyroid gland. These are pathologies such as hypothyroidism and thyrotoxicosis, autoimmune thyroiditis, diffuse-toxic, nodular and endemic goiter, tumors. Problems with lactation, an excess of male hormones - these problems are solved by the doctor. Sometimes a woman exhibits a violation of the sex glands, characterized by a delay in the menstrual cycle, exhaustion and polycystic ovaries.
But on reception to the doctor come and for other reasons, not connected with illnesses. Throughout life, a woman may need advice from a specialist:
- It is recommended to address it at the stage of pregnancy planning .
- Consultations with the doctor are often required during the bearing of the child (scheduled inspection and especially if there are any violations).
- Preventive examination is carried out by women during menopause.
- The choice of hormonal contraceptives can safely be entrusted to the endocrinologist.
Endocrinologist - what heals for men?
With pronounced symptoms indicating the pathology of the hormonal system, male patients are referred to the endocrinologist, sometimes in conjunction with a urologist visit. Excess of female hormones (manifested in the increase of mammary glands), disorder of sexual function, excess weight, etc. - problems that are addressed to the doctor. What kind of illnesses does an endocrinologist treat for men?
- infertility;
- tumors of an apodoma;
- deviations in the development of the sex glands;
- androgen deficiency;
- aprostatitis and prostate adenoma;
- a violation in the body of calcium metabolism.
Endocrinologist - what heals in children?
Pediatric endocrinology is one of the subsections of this field of medicine. The specialist deals with congenital disorders and acquired diseases, monitors the proper functioning of the glands and organs. Hormonal imbalance is possible at a young age. The problem location determines which diseases the endocrinologist treats.
- Hypothyroidism - a deficiency of thyroid hormones - sometimes leads to mental retardation.
- The result of improper operation of the pituitary gland is dwarfism and gigantism.
- If the adrenal glands function poorly, produce little cortisol and other hormones, a rare Addison's disease and diffuse goiter may occur.
- Anomalies in the development of the sexual glands are revealed in the pubertal period.
How does the endocrinologist take a reception?
Admission of the endocrinologist is recommended once a year, especially for men and women after 45-50 years. But regardless of age, you need to monitor your health and do not ignore any changes that affect the endocrine system. A person should be alerted to such symptoms as increased sweating, persistent nausea, chronic fatigue, tremor, joint pain, etc. All patients who were referred to the doctor for the first time are asked: how does the endocrinologist take a doctor's appointment? The scheme is as follows:
- Like all doctors, a specialist in this field starts receiving a patient, collecting anamnesis, receiving complaints and studying the patient's medical record. Of great importance is the presence of chronic diseases.
- The doctor is conducting an examination.
- The patient passes the tests and comes back for a second time after the results are ready.
How passes or takes place survey of the endocrinologist?
Initial examination of the endocrinologist does not require preparation and is approximately the same. The doctor measures blood pressure, pulse, examines the skin for dryness, listens to the heart, probes the thyroid (checks for the presence of formations, estimates the size and uniformity of the structure) and lymph nodes. Palpation is the main method that the doctor uses during the examination. But sometimes a patient is weighed and asked about weight fluctuations to determine if there is a tendency to obesity, measure his height. Also in the doctor's office there is a glucometer.
Consultation of the endocrinologist
Knowing what the endocrinologist diagnoses and treats, you can refer to it when the first signs of a malaise appear, indicating hormonal problems, diabetes and other diseases. The patient should be ready to answer questions about chronic ailments, state of health at the moment, the first signs of deterioration. Sometimes the advice of an endocrinologist is required as prevention. This is especially important for women planning pregnancy, but having problems with the endocrine system.
What analyzes are appointed or nominated by the endocrinologist?
Based on the results of the examination and questioning of the patient, the doctor prescribes conducting laboratory tests that will establish an accurate picture of the disease. Analyzes of the endocrinologist may include:
- blood biochemistry;
- Ultrasound of internal organs, thyroid;
- general tests of urine and blood;
- delivery of blood to the hormonal profile;
- research on sugar, etc.
When to contact an endocrinologist?
Thanks to glands of internal secretion, hormones help the body to work in the right mode. Excess or deficiency of hormones (one or several) makes you aware of unpleasant symptoms, but not always. Ignoring the signs of diseases is mistakenly confused with a cold, poisoning and such a slight malaise, even independently prescribe themselves a cure. It only worsens the state of health. But there are cases when it is necessary to contact the endocrinologist immediately. Symptoms that can not be ignored:
- Regular pains and choking in the throat, changes in the timbre of the voice. Perhaps, the fault in the thyroid gland is to blame.
- Mood swings, tearfulness, irritability. So the nervous system reacts to hormonal disorders.
- Speed dialing or weight reduction. A sharp change in body weight indicates the presence of endocrine problems.
- Active hair growth or hair loss. Here, hormone correction is required.
- Signs of hypothyroidism - reduced concentration of attention, drowsiness, fatigue.
Endocrinologist advice
Directly or indirectly, the endocrinologist is related to other medical disciplines. It can be sent to him after examination of the therapist, pediatrician, gynecologist. Recently, the combined occupation of an endocrinologist-nutritionist is gaining popularity, which helps to normalize the diet, gain weight or reduce it. Its main task is to reveal the disturbance of metabolic processes that provoked obesity. Tips endocrinologist how to lose weight include prescribing diet and exercise. Given the patient's anamnesis, the approach to each is strictly individual.
The main tips, which come to the specialist, concern the work of the thyroid gland, its strengthening and disease prevention.
Recommendations that the doctor gives are as follows:
- General support of the body - a healthy sleep, exercise, proper nutrition.
- Refusal from alcohol and smoking.
- Avoidance of extreme temperatures (cold, heat).
- Iodine supply of the body is the consumption of foods rich in iodine.
- Reducing stress shocks.
- Annual visit to the endocrine.
Any disease is easier to prevent than to get rid of it later. Understanding what the endocrinologist treats, you can write to this specialist if you have dangerous symptoms and suspect the pathology of the endocrine system. Coordinate the patient will help the doctor on duty or the therapist in the clinic, he will write a referral to the endocrinologist.