Gland disorders

What Is Gland disorders?

Gland disorders can be of two types: Endocrine disorders and Exocrine disorders.

Endocrine gland disorders: Endocrine disorders are the disorders of the endocrine system. These disorders result from the hyposecretion or hypersecretion of the hormonal glands. These are divided into 3 parts:

• Hyposecretion of endocrine glands leading to hormone deficiency
• Hypersecretion of endocrine glands leading to an excess of hormones
• Tumors of endocrine glands which can be benign or malignant.

Endocrine gland disorders can lead to following diseases:

• Glucose homeostasis disorders: Diabetes, Hypoglycaemia, Glucagonoma.
• Thyroid disorders: Hyper or hypothyroidism, Goiter,  Thyroid cancer
• Calcium homeostasis disorders
• Metabolic bone disorders
• Sex disorders
• Pituitary gland disorders
• Tumors of the endocrine glands
• Exocrine gland disorders: These disorders are of exocrine system. This type of disorder occurs if glands produce less or more amount of hormones. Salivary, sweat or digestive glands are types of exocrine glands.
• Exocrine gland disorders can lead to following diseases:
• Cystic fibrosis.
• Sjogren’s syndrome (a disorder of immune system resulting in a reduction in lacrimal and salivary gland function).
• Pancreatic disease.

What Are The Symptoms Of Gland disorders?

Symptoms of gland disorders depend upon which type of disorder we have.

• Endocrine gland disorders: Increase in blood pressure, increase in sugar level, weakness of muscles and bones, mood swings, depression, skin disorders, unwanted hair growth, growth retardation, irregular menstrual cycles, headache., low vision, unusual sweating, nausea, vomiting, confusion, dizziness, low sex drive.
• Exocrine gland disorders:  pain while eating, sores in the mouth, dry mouth, dry eyes,  dry cough, joint pain, swelling, swollen salivary glands, fatigue, bad taste in the mouth, headache, muscle aches, fever.

What Are The Causes Of Gland disorders?

Gland disorders occur when there is less or excess production of hormones in the body leading to one or another type of diseases.

The abnormal production of hormones results in endocrine or exocrine disorders such as:

• Increased production of cortisol hormone leads to Cushing’s syndrome.
• Excess secretion of adrenaline or noradrenaline hormone leads to Pheochromocytoma/Paraganglioma (types of tumor)
• Decreased production salivary glands lead to Sjogren’s syndrome.

What Are The Things One Should Do To Manage Gland disorders?

• Have balanced diet: Healthy diet will balance the regulation of hormones.
• Regular exercise: Exercise helps to stay fit and healthy and keeps the hormonal level in balance such as insulin level.
• Manage stress: Stress increases the hormone levels leading to several chronic diseases. Managing of stress can help to avoid the risk of such diseases.
• Restful sleep: A good sleep will balance all the hormones such as insulin, cortisol, growth hormone, leptin etc. Insufficient leads to craving causing several disorders. 

What Are The Things One Should Avoid To Manage Gland disorders?

• Avoid under-eating or overeating: Eating heavily can lead to obesity and under eating can lead to malnutrition. Obesity increases the production of insulin and malnutrition can lead to lack of nutrients resulting into the increased production of cortisol hormones.
• Avoid stress as stress is the main cause of maximum disorders.
• Avoid contact with harmful chemicals as these can disturb the regulation of hormones.
• Avoid intake of hormonal tablets.

What Are The Best Foods For Gland disorders?

• Protein-rich foods: Sprouts, broccoli, beans, seeds, nuts, and quinoa are the rich source of protein. Protein reduces the production of stress hormones.
• Healthy and good fats: Avocado, coconut oil and olive are good fats which produce healthy cholesterol required for balancing the hormones.
• Antioxidants rich fruits and vegetables: Raisins, barley, tomatoes, broccoli, walnuts, kidney beans, and berries are the rich sources of antioxidants which helps to balance the hormonal levels.
• Omega-3 fatty acids: Foods such chia, flaxseed, and walnuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids which control the production of inflammatory hormones.

What Are The Worst Foods For Gland disorders?

• Sugar: Excess intake of sugar and its products increases the production of the hormone insulin. This increases the blood sugar levels leading to diabetes.
• Soy: It increases the estrogen levels leading to various disorders in women such irregular menses, mood swings, insomnia, and infertility.
• Alcohol: Excess consumption of alcohol affects the regulation of hypothalamus and pituitary gland leading to mental disorders.
• Milk: Milk contains IGF-1, a type of growth hormone. Too much intake of milk increases the production of growth hormones leading to an inflammatory disease called as Acromegaly.
•  White bread: This increases the production of adrenal glands leading to inflammatory diseases.
• Avoid sugary products: Sugar increases the production of insulin hormone leading to diabetes.
• Avoid fatty, refined and processed foods: These foods are unhealthy foods leading to increased production of insulin and stress hormones.

What Are The Medicines For Gland disorders?

What Are The Tips To Manage Gland disorders?

Gland disorders occur due to hormonal imbalances. These disorders can be managed by making some dietary changes and modification in living standards.

Here are some tips to manage gland disorders naturally:

• Limit the intake of caffeine.
• Exercise under supervision only.
• Eat organic food.
• Eat yolks to balance hormones.