What Is Your Endocrine System?
You’ve heard about hormones before.
They’re chemical messengers, telling your body how to behave at any given time.
Most of today’s health gurus talk about them, and for good reason.
They can have a major impact on your health.
My name is Dr. Kimberly Dawdy, a naturopathic doctor serving the Ottawa area, and today we’re going to take a look at your endocrine system.
What is your endocrine system?
How does it work?
How can a naturopathic doctor help with endocrine disorders?
For all that, and more, stick around.
Let’s get started.
What Is Your Endocrine System?
Your endocrine system is a network of glands and organs located throughout your body.
It helps regulate a variety of your bodily functions.
It does this through the release of hormones.
Each of your endocrine glands produces hormones.
These hormones are released into your bloodstream.
From there, they travel to your organs, telling them what to do and how to properly function.
Some of the bodily functions that your endocrine systems help to regulate include:
- Metabolism
- Growth and development
- Sexual function
- Reproductive health
- Heart rate
- Blood pressure
- Appetite
- Sleeping and waking cycles
- Mood
- Body temperature
- And much more
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What Organs Are Part Of Your Endocrine System?
Several of your body’s organs are affected by your endocrine system.
These organs are often referred to as glands.
Glands create and release the hormones your body needs to function.
Organs that are part of your endocrine system include your:
- Hypothalamus, which helps regulate sleeping and waking cycles, body temperature, and appetite
- Pituitary gland, which helps support growth and reproduction
- Pineal gland, which helps control sleeping and waking cycles
- Thyroid gland, which helps control your metabolism
- Parathyroid gland, which helps to maintain control of calcium levels in your bones and blood
- Thymus gland, an organ that is only active until puberty, and produces hormones which help develop your white blood cells
- Adrenal glands, which help regulate functions such as blood pressure, heart rate, and stress response
- Pancreas, which helps control blood sugar levels
Your kidneys also have endocrine functions, but they’re not strictly considered to be endocrine glands.
Why Is Endocrine Health Important?
A healthy endocrine system is important for numerous aspects of your health.
Several health complications may result from hormone levels that are either too high or too low.
The signs and symptoms of endocrine problems highly depends on the specific type of hormone that is unbalanced.
Common Illnesses Of The Endocrine System
Let’s take a closer look at some common health conditions frequently associated with poor endocrine health.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition that occurs when your body is incapable of regulating its blood sugar levels.
Diabetes may present in one of two main types.
Type 1 diabetes is thought to result from an autoimmune reaction which affects your body’s ability to create insulin.
In contrast, type 2 diabetes occurs when your body’s cells stop responding to insulin and you develop insulin resistance.
Subsequently, your pancreas attempts to create more and more insulin until your blood sugar begins to rise, resulting in diabetes.
Symptoms of diabetes may include:
• Chronic fatigue
• Increased hunger or thirst
• Increased urge to urinate
• Irritability
• Frequently infections
If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, I’m a naturopathic doctor, and I can help.
Through diet, lifestyle counseling, and other factors, I can help you manage your symptoms.
Book your appointment with me, Dr. Kimberly Dawdy, ND, today.
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Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
PCOS is a condition where your body produces an abnormal amount of testosterone.
This can disrupt your menstruation, leading to irregular periods and infertility.
For instance, some people with PCOS have ovaries that don’t release an egg every month.
Others have eggs that don’t develop typically once released.
Symptoms of PCOS may include:
- Irregular menstrual cycles
- Fertility issues, such as inability to conceive or frequent miscarriages
- Ovarian cysts
- Acne
- Excess facial hair growth (hirsutism)
- Thinning hair
- Weight gain
- Skin tags
PCOS can be frustrating and painful, but naturopathic medicine can help.
Solutions for PCOS can include diet and lifestyle changes, acupuncture, supplementing with vitamin D and omega 3 fatty acids, botanical medicine, and more.
Book your appointment with me, Dr. Kimberly Dawdy, ND, today.
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Hyperthyroidism
If you have hyperthyroidism, your thyroid produces more hormones than it ought to.
It’s most commonly caused by Graves’ disease, but can have other causes as well.
Common symptoms of hyperthyroidism include:
- Chronic fatigue
- Nervousness
- Weight loss
- Diarrhea
- Heat intolerance
- Fast heart rate
- Excess sweating
- Insomnia
Naturopathic medicine can help manage hyperthyroidism, keeping your thyroid in check and maintaining optimal health.
Book your appointment with me, Dr. Kimberly Dawdy, ND, today.
Hypothyroidism
In contrast to hyperthyroidism, which results from excess hormones, hypothyroidism occurs due to lack of thyroid hormone.
Think of it this way – if a kid is hyperactive, he’s active above than he ought to be, and a hypodermic needle is a needle that goes below your skin.
Hypothyroidism may also occur due a variety of factors, including autoimmune conditions and radiation therapy.
Many of the symptoms of hypothyroidism are the opposite of its hyper counterpart.
They include:
- Chronic fatigue
- Infertility
- Weight gain
- Constipation
- Cold intolerance
- Slow heart rate
- Irregular periods
- Dry hair and skin
Just like with the other thyroid conditions mentioned, a naturopathic doctor can help.
Book your appointment with me, Dr. Kimberly Dawdy, ND, today.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosisis a condition which results in abnormal bone loss and changes in bone tissue.
It has a number of different causes, but it’s usually linked with low estrogen levels or low testosterone levels.
It may also develop with age or other diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis or metabolism issues.
Osteoporosis doesn’t always cause obvious symptoms, which is why it’s important to see your naturopathic doctor to screen for this condition.
Treatment for osteoporosis focuses on slowing down or stopping your bone loss.
A naturopathic doctor can help teach you about proper nutrition and exercises to support bone health.
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Book Your Appointment With Dr. Kimberly Dawdy, ND, Today
For support with your endocrine system, naturopathic medicine can help.
Book an appointment with Dawdy Naturopathic Clinic today to get started on a natural recovery.
Yours in Health,
Dr. Kimberly Dawdy, ND
Dawdy Naturopathic Clinic
6899 Sunset Blvd,
Greely, ON K4P 1C5
-https://g.page/dawdynaturopathicclinic
Dawdy Naturopathic Clinic offers a variety of naturopathic health solutions for individuals and families in Ottawa and the surrounding area.
