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DESCRIPTION:
Polyglandular syndromes are conditions in which several endocrine glands become underactive and produce lower than normal amounts of hormones. The endocrine system includes the following glands: pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, pancreas, thymus, ovaries or testes, and adrenals. Polyglandular deficiency syndromes fall into three categories (type 1, type 2 and type 3), depending on whether symptoms develop in childhood or adulthood and which endocrine glands are involved.
How do polyglandular syndromes develop?
Polyglandular syndromes are suspected to have an autoimmune component. In the case of these diseases, the immune system malfunctions and produces antibodies that attack healthy endocrine glands, which results in inflammation that destroys part or all of the gland. A genetic predisposition may be associated with this disease. Doctors also believe that the endocrine gland can be suppressed by an infection, an inadequate blood supply to the gland or a tumor. Frequently, after one gland is damaged, others also become damaged, causing many glands to slow or stop functioning.
What are the symptoms of polyglandular syndromes?
The symptoms of polyglandular syndromes depend on the type of disorder the patient has. Type 1 usually develops in childhood and affects the parathyroid gland and adrenal glands and leads to chronic yeast infections. Patients of Type 1 often have hepatitis, gallstones, difficulty absorbing food and premature balding. Type 2 generally develops in adults, usually around age 30. The adrenal glands are underactive and the thyroid gland is affected. There is underactive pancreatic function, which leads to insufficient amounts of insulin and, thus, diabetes. Type 3 develops in adults and is thought to be a preliminary stage of the type 2 syndrome. People have at least two of the following symptoms: an underactive thyroid gland, diabetes and/or pernicious hair loss. No adrenal gland problems develop in type 3 syndrome. If adrenal gland failure develops, the syndrome becomes identified as type 2.
Conventional medical treatments may help relieve the symptoms of polyglandular syndromes but they do not address the root of the problem. Generally, by undergoing comprehensive natural medicine testing, the reasons the body is producing antibodies against itself can be found. Some of these reasons include sensitivities or allergies to foods, inhalants and chemicals and various infections.
Discover why we believe that natural medicine treatments are the best way to treat polyglandular syndromes.
Learn about the treatments for
Polyglandular Syndromes
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