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When your hormone levels or their effects abnormally rise or fall, it results in hormonal imbalance. It is a broad term encompassing all types of hormones released by different endocrine glands. Any irregularity in hormone production by any endocrine gland or its action contributes to hormonal imbalance. An insulin imbalance leads to conditions like diabetes, Obesity, and dyslipidemia also contribute to their imbalance.
In this blog, you’ll learn about the basics of hormonal imbalance, how it affects your health, what factors trigger the hormonal imbalance, and above all, what you can do to regain that balance.
What Are Hormones? How Do They Work?
Hormones are chemicals produced by organs called endocrine glands. These chemicals are directly released into the bloodstream, controlling or influencing processes in the entire human body. They are essential for the optimal functioning of the body and mind. Once released into the bloodstream, they are carried to the target organ through the circulating blood via binding proteins that act as vehicles. The cells in the target organs contain receptors for a specific hormone. Only those hormones that fit onto the receptor will be accepted by the cell. These receptors ensure that the cells receive only those hormones meant for them.
Role of endocrine glands in the body's normal functions are listed by the best endocrinologist in Mysore are given below:
Some of the endocrine glands are the hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, parathyroids, adrenals, gonads, and endocrine portion of the pancreas. The pituitary gland controls the functioning of many other endocrine organs and is itself controlled by the hypothalamus. Endocrine hormones regulate the body's normal functions, including growth and development, metabolism, electrolyte balances, and reproduction.
Physical growth is influenced by hormones like growth hormone, while mental development is influenced by hormones like the thyroxine Hormones like insulin regulate our body's metabolism. Similarly, the testes and ovaries release hormones that regulate our reproductive cycles.
Hormonal Disruption
The entire endocrine system is delicately balanced by a regulatory mechanism that ensures the smooth functioning of the body and mind. Very rarely, the balance is disrupted by a host of external or internal factors that result in loss of function or excessive function of one or more hormones. Common examples of these disruptions are diabetes mellitus which results from insufficient action of insulin and hypothyroidism which results from inadequate action of thyroxine. Hormone imbalance also leads to hair loss, fatigue, infertility, anxiety, diabetes, weight loss or gain, and more. However, with proper medical management, most endocrine disorders can be controlled and many can be cured.
Factors Leading to Hormonal Imbalance
Hormone imbalance occurs when the production, secretion, or regulation of hormones in the body is abnormal. When hormone levels are too high or low, it can cause health problems, such as weight gain or loss, fatigue, mood swings, irregular periods, and infertility.
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Stress
Modern society's competitiveness triggers stress that changes the serum level of hormones, including CRH, cortisol, catecholamines, and thyroid hormone. These are the hormones that regulate the fight-or-flight response of an individual. This long-term exposure to stress may lead to endocrine disorders like Graves' disease, gonadal dysfunction, psychosexual dwarfism, and obesity.
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Iodine Deficiency
When your iodine requirements are unmet, there is insufficient thyroid hormone production. Low thyroid hormones in the blood are the principal factor responsible for the series of functional and developmental abnormalities, collectively referred to as IDD (Iodine Deficiency Disorder), which includes mental developmental problems in children, including implications on reproductive functions and lowering of IQ levels in school-aged children.
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Food
Direct action of food is seen in the production and secretion of certain hormones by nervous reflexes. GIP and insulin are the principal hormones whose production and secretion are diet-dependent, which are responsible for the pathogenesis of obesity and non-insulin-dependent (type II) diabetes.
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Lifestyle
In a current world where technology has completely changed our way of living, sedentary living with minimal physical activity and overeating leads to obesity, and several conditions arise because of obesity. Several endocrine diseases like hypothyroidism, Cushing's disease, hypogonadism, and growth hormone deficiency are caused primarily due to overeating and less physical activity. The most commonly associated condition with obesity is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) in women, with hyperinsulinemia being the primary etiological factor, which is a major reason for infertility.
These fundamental factors have been shown to contribute to the significant hormonal imbalance in the body. However, some hormones may have other factors responsible as well. But these primary factors cited above contribute to the major hormonal imbalances in the body.
Is Hormonal Imbalance Treatable?
Yes, the casestudies of the best endocrinology hospital in Mysore shows that hormonal imbalance is treatable. Lifestyle changes, diet intake, and an active lifestyle have significantly improved hormonal balance.
Some natural ways of keeping your hormonal balance under check include:
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Regular physical activity
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Good diet
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Adding cruciferous vegetables to the diet.
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Skipping refined sugars and carbohydrates.
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Manage stress and stay calm.
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Oral medications or injections to lower the levels of hormones or block their effects.
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Hormone replacement therapy.
For hyperfunctioning disorders, the treatment may include medication, surgery, and radiation therapy or all combined, depending upon the underlying cause and risk factors. Hypofunction may require hormone replacement therapy.
FAQs
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What are the symptoms of hormonal imbalances?
Depending upon the type of hormone imbalance, the symptoms can range from weight gain, weight loss, fatigue, mood swings, hair loss, acne, infertility, and irregular menstrual cycles.
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How can I prevent hormonal imbalances?
Maintaining a hormonal balance isn't that difficult, as all it takes is eating healthy, staying active, and being happy. It means having a healthy lifestyle, eating a balanced diet, staying physically active, keeping your mind calm, using stress reduction techniques, and checking your body's minerals and vitamin levels. All these help prevent hormonal imbalances.
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Is hormone replacement therapy safe?
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is safe and effective for managing hormonal imbalances and is sometimes crucial to be taken up to avoid the worst. However, there are some risk factors involved, which depend upon the hormone you are taking.
