Question

Prepare a list of the hormonal abnormalities and describe how hormones can affect the growth of bones, both in children and in adults.

Answer 1

There are many disease and abnormalities which are caused due to the hormone imbalance in our body. This is collectively also called as the endocrine system disorder because this system consists of glands and the hormones released by them. They are responsible for performing wide range of regulatory and metabolic functions within the body. The endocrine disorders are caused due to insufficient or increase in the release of a certain hormone. At times, the glands fail to release the hormone or overexpress the same and hence it leads to the disorders. There are many disorders which are caused by hormonal abnormality. Some of them are

· Cushing disease – This is a disease which is caused due to the overproduction of the hormones by the pituitary gland. It leads to the excessive of the adrenocorticotropic hormone and hence it stimulates the adrenal cortex that leads to very level of cortisol production.

· Thyroidism – This can be either hyper or hypothyroidism where in the former case the thyroid glands are overexpressed and leads to increase in the production of the thyroid hormones. In the later case, it is insufficient production of the thyroid hormones.

· Gigantism – This is a problem which is caused due to the overexpression of the hormones by the pituitary glands. This tends to lead to abnormal growth of the bones and parts of the body. This is caused due to abnormally high production of growth hormone.

· Dwarfism – This is a condition which is caused due to insufficient secretion of the growth hormone and it leads to short stature of the person.

The hormone can impact the bone development in both adult and child as it depends on the growth hormone. It is important that for healthy bones, growth hormone must be released in an appropriate measure. The growth hormone is responsible for growth and development of the body and bones. It is produced by the pituitary gland. It helps in the linear growth and development of the bone right from birth through adolescence.