Abstract The paper outlines the organization of our body and explains the meaning of the term 'homeostasis'. The paper focuses on the adrenal glands and their function, which is to help the body cope with stresses and emergencies. The paper discusses adrenal fatigue, its signs and symptoms and its treatments.
Outline:
The Body Organization
Homeostasis
Adrenal Glands
Adrenal Fatigue
Signs and Symptoms
Treatments
Flu, Allergies and the Adrenals
From the Paper "The human body is an organized system, which consists of cells, tissues, organs and organ systems (Degen 2008). A cell is the basic unit of structure and function in every living thing or organism. It performs the basic functions to keep the organism alive. Most cells are microscopic. Each cell is covered by a cell membrane. Inside it is the nucleus, which controls and directs the cell's activities. It also contains all the information on the cell's characteristics. Cells form a tissue to perform the same function. The four basic types of tissue are muscle, nervous, connective and epithelial. Tissues, in turn, form an organ."
Abstract This paper discusses congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). It begins by defining CAH and describing the developmental and physical conditions that are associated with the disorder. The paper then describes possible surgical interventions to correct any abnormalities and discusses the arguments for and against such procedures from a legal, ethical and social perspective.
Table of Contents:
Physical and Developmental
Medical and Surgical
Legal
Social, Psychological, Counseling
Ethical
From the Paper "Some sectors have severely objected to reshaping the genitals of underage children and the ethics of genital surgery, calling it mutilation rather than mere circumcision, repair or corrective surgery (Glass 2004). They deplored all genital cutting of children, regardless of gender, religion and local custom and urged that the rights of women and intersex people be protected. It was not just the ethics but the effectiveness of the surgical procedure, which has been questioned. Little data could neither support the adequacy of such a procedure, according to Dr. Cathy Minto of the University College London Hospitals (Johnson 2001). Her team studied 44 teen girls who underwent reconstructive genital surgery in childhood and found that 43 required further intervention for function or cosmetic purposes. Since the late 70s, female CAH infants have been subjected to surgery to feminize them by reducing the size of their clitoris in order to normalize the appearance of their genitalia. Dr. Sarah Creighton, a gynecologist consultant at the hospital questioned the need for the surgery before puberty when small girls do not use vaginas. She believed that clitoral surgery should be postponed when the girl is older and can think about the issue herself (Johnson). As things stood, clitoral surgery deprived the patient of the capacity for orgasm."
Abstract This paper looks at the endocrine system and explains what hormones are and what they do. The paper discusses the control systems of hormones, and the glands which control hormone secretion, particularly the hypothalamus and pituitary glands, and the role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in stress. The paper also discusses the posterior pituitary composition and hormones.
From the Paper "Hormones are chemical messengers which are secreted into the bloodstream or the extracellular fluid by specialized cells and have their action on other cells which bear receptors for the chemicals they secrete. . A given hormone usually only affects a limited number of cells and only those which bear its receptor. Hormone receptors may be located on the surface of the target cells or within these cells. When the hormone binds to its receptor on the target cell it triggers a cascade of reactions within the cell which..."
Abstract This paper examines the condition of fetal hypoxia, the lack of oxygen to the fetus which can result in stillbirths or fetal depression and how the fetus has built-in compensatory mechanisms to protect it from transient hypoxia. It looks at how experiments in animals have shown that the compensatory mechanisms at play during fetal hypoxia are redistribution of blood flow favoring vital organs, including the heart, brain, adrenal glands and the placenta; a decrease in total oxygen consumption and the dependence of some vascular beds on anaerobic metabolism. It looks at how these compensatory can allow the fetus to survive for moderately long periods of hypoxia (up to 30 minutes) without any decompensation to the vital organs, especially the heart and brain.
From the Paper "Due to the obvious difficulty of looking at fetal hypoxia in humans, animal models have been employed, but it is believed that they are applicable to the human condition. Experiments in animals have shown that the compensatory mechanisms at play during fetal hypoxia are: redistribution of blood flow favoring vital organs, including the heart, brain, adrenal glands, and the placenta; a decrease in total oxygen consumption; and the dependence of some vascular beds on anaerobic metabolism (Parer, 1997, p. 37). A study by Newman, Peebles, Harding, Springett and Hanson (2000) confirmed that the fetal blood supply redistribution in response to hypoxia functions to protect the vital organs."
Abstract This paper first provides a definition of the term "stress" and briefly talks about how stress was first studied and identified. The paper then describes the physical process that takes place in response to stress, looks at the positive and negative aspects of stress, describes its symptoms and effects, and talks about what we can do to reduce the stress in our lives.
From the Paper "Most people when hearing the word "stress" only think of negative things, such as sweaty palms, the heart beating too fast, stomach aches and head pains. However, stress can go hand-in-hand with positive and happy occasions as well. According to Burns, ?to your body, stress is synonymous with change. Anything that causes a change in your life causes stress. It doesn't matter if it is a "good" change, or a "bad" change, they are both a type of stress. When you find your dream apartment and get ready to move, that is stress. If you break your leg, that is stress. Good or bad, if it is a change in your life, it is stress as far as your body is concerned.? "
Abstract This paper looks at the effect of hormonal imbalances on human behavior. The paper looks at thyroid, adrenal, gonadal and placental hormones, PMS, PND, and the chemical basis for how hormones cause depression and other behavioral changes.
Abstract This paper discusses hypertension, a major risk factor for heart disease and the major cause of heart attacks and strokes. According to the paper, hypertension affects about 50 million Americans or one in four adults. The paper further discusses how the most frightening aspect of hypertension is the apparent lack of symptoms, even though the disease is forcing the heart to work harder than normal, making it more susceptible to injury.
Contents:
Physical and Psychological Conditions
Introduction
One in Four
The Silent Killer's Costs
One Best Way is Two
Conclusion: Happiness, Like Old Age
From the Paper "Causes for secondary hypertension, on the other hand, can be determined, as it results from different underlying conditions, which can be identified as diseases such as: thyroid disease; abnormal blood vessels; preeclampsia (also protein in urine after 20th week of pregnancy); adrenal disease; sleep apnea; kidney disease. Various medications, including over-the-counter medications, prescriptions and illegal drugs may also contribute to high blood pressure. Primary hypertension usually develops gradually over several years, while secondary hypertension may start suddenly. ("Causes") Blood pressure below 120/80 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) is considered "normal," while Prehypertension pressure ranges from 120 to 139 (systolic) or from 80 to 89 (diastolic). Pressure determined to be Stage 1 Hypertension ranges140 to 159 (systolic) to 90 to 99 (diastolic). The most severe hypertension, Stage 2 Hypertension, includes 160 or greater (systolic) and 100 or greater (diastolic). Treatment seeks to lower blood pressure to less than 140 mm Hg (millimeters of mercury) systolic and less than 90 mm Hg diastolic for most individuals with hypertension. "
Abstract This paper explains that disorders of homeostasis, fluid, and electrolyte balance occur in every setting, with every disorder, and with a variety of changes that affect healthy people. The paper also describes body fluids and electrolytes and the process of regulation of body fluid through osmosis. In addition, the paper discusses issues of homeostasis in the kidneys, skin, lungs, and the gastrointestinal tract.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Body Fluids
Electrolytes
Regulation of Body Fluid Through Osmosis
Diffusion
Diffusion
Filtration
Sodium-Potassium Pump
Electrolyte Balance
Kidneys
Skin
Lungs
Gastrointestinal Tract
Laboratory Tests for Evaluating Fluid Status:
Osmolality
Osmolarity
Homeostatic Mechanisms
Kidney Functions
Heart and Blood Vessel Functions
Lung Functions
Pituitary Functions
Adrenal Functions
Parathyroid Functions
Baroreceptors
Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System
Antidiuretic Hormone and Thirst
Osmoreceptors
From the Paper "The hypothalamus manufactures ADH, which is stored in the posterior pituitary gland and released as needed. ADH is sometimes called the water-conserving hormone because it causes the body to retain water. Functions of ADH include maintaining the osmotic pressure of the cells by controlling the retention or excretion of water by the kidneys and by regulating blood volume.
