Question

describe the age related changes that occur in the endocrine system, what are some common problems and conditions?

Answer 1

The endocrine system consists of group of glands and organs which control and regulate various body functions by producing and secreting hormones.

As we age, changes naturally occur in the way body systems are controlled.

Blood levels of some hormones increase, some hormones decrease and some remain unchanged.

AGE RELATED CHANGES THAT OCCUR IN ENDOCRINE SYSTEM :

1. Hypothalamus - It is located in the brain and produce hormones which control other endocrine system in the body. With aging, the amount of hormones remain the same but the the response of endocrine organ change.

2. Pituitary Gland : It is also located in the brain.This organ's size reaches maximum size during middle age and then gradually becomes smaller.

3. Thyroid Gland : located in the neck, produces hormones which help in Metabolism. By aging the thyroid may become nodular. The thyroid hormones may increase and lead to cardiac arrest in elderly people.

4. Parathyroid Gland : Four tiny glands located around the thyroid which maintain calcium and phosphate levels and affect bone strength. With aging , parathyroid hormone level rise and contribute to osteoporosis.

5. Pancreas : It secretes Insulin which controls blood sugar. But cells become less sensitive to the effect of insulin after 50 years of age and leads to diabetes.

6. Adrenal glands : Locates just above the kindnes.

Adrenal Cortex : Surface layer produces hormones such as aldosterone, cortisol and dihydroepiandrosterone. Aldosterone regulate fluid and electrolyte imbalance. Cortisol is a stress response hormone.

Aldosterone relase decreases with age and contribute to lightheadedness and causes orthostatic hypotension.

With age, cortisol and dihydroepiosterone level also drop.

Ovaries and Testes: Produces sex hormones which result secondary sexual characteristics like breast and facial hair.

* With aging men sometimes have decreases testosterone level

* Women have lower levels of estraidol and other estogen hormones after menopause.

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