Diseases of the Endocrine System

Acromegaly-hypersecretion of growth hormone in adults; characterized by hyperglycemia; thickened, coarse skin; and enlargement of the head, jaw, nose, tongue, ears, hands, feet, and some internal organs.

            Cause: usually an adenoma of the anterior pituitary gland.

            Contraindications/indications: none.

Gigantism-rare hypersecretion of growth hormone during childhood; leads to increased bone thickness and length and increased soft tissue thickness; accompanied by hyperglycemia.

            Cause: usually an adenoma of the anterior pituitary gland.

            Contraindications/indications: none.

Dwarfism-deficiency of growth hormone during childhood; leads to decreased bone growth, short stature, hypoglycemia, muscle weakness, and retarded sexual development.

            Cause: disturbance or trauma to the hypothalamus or posterior pituitary gland.

            Contraindications/indications: none.

Diabetes insipidus-characterized by a deficiency of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) from the posterior pituitary gland.

            Cause: disturbance or trauma to the hypothalamus or posterior pituitary gland; radiation to the hypothalamus.

            Contraindications/indications: refer to doctor; massage is indicated if no infection, inflammation, or tumor is present; avoid anterior portion of the neck.

Graves disease-hypersecretion of the thyroid hormones (hyperthyroidism); affects 8 to 10 times more women than men, usually between 30 and 50 years of age; leads to increased basal metabolic rate, weight loss, nervousness, fatigue, insomnia, diarrhea, heat sensitivity, increased sweating, tachycardia, and exophthalmos (protrusion of the eyeballs).

            Cause: autoimmune disorder producing antibodies that bind to the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor sites and mimic the action of TSH, causing an increase in production of thyroid hormones.

            Contraindications/indications: refer to doctor; massage is indicated if no infection, inflammation, or tumor is present; avoid anterior portion of the neck.

Myxedema-hyposecretion of thyroid hormones in adults (hypothyroidism); characterized by fatigue, slowing of physical and mental activity, swelling around the eyes, cold intolerance, and coarsening of the skin, particularly on the face.

            Causes: damaged thyroid gland; hereditary effect.

            Contraindications/indications: refer to doctor; massage is indicated if no infection, inflammation, or tumor is present; avoid anterior portion of the neck.

Cretinism- hyposecretion of thyroid hormones in children (hypothyroidism); similar characteristics to myxedema, including swelling around the eyes, coarsening of the skin, and, depending of the age of onset, variable amounts of retarded bone and brain development.

            Causes: damaged thyroid gland; hereditary effect.

            Contraindications/indications: refer to doctor; massage is indicated if no infection, inflammation, or tumor is present; avoid anterior portion of the neck.

Goiter-enlargement of the thyroid gland.

            Cause: iodine deficiency.

             Contraindications/indications: refer to doctor.

Diabetes mellitus-a group of disorders involving the pancreas; characterized by defective insulin response and/or utilization.

            Cause: genetic susceptibility along with autoimmunity to b cells.

            Contraindications/indications: obtain advice and approval of client's doctor before performing bodywork.

Noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM)-also called adult onset diabetes or type 2 diabetes; often seen in obese patients older than 40 years of age; accounts for most cases of diabetes; treated with exercise and diet therapy.

            Causes: insulin resistance based on decreased receptor sensitivity on target tissues in the body; reduction in insulin production.

             Contraindications/indications: obtain advice and approval of the client's doctor before performing bodywork.

Cushing disease-characterized by excessive production of cortisol from the adrenal cortex; leads to obesity, weakness, fatigue, menstrual abnormalness, hypertension, and a rounded "moon face."

            Causes: hypersecretion of adrenocorticotropic hormone from the anterior pituitary gland; cortisol-secreting tumor.

            Contraindications/indications: because of possible complications (e.g. osteoporosis), all massage should be light and relaxing; energy techniques may be most effective; obtain approval of client's doctor before performing bodywork in doubt.

Addison disease-destruction of the adrenal glands leading to decreased production of adrenal hormones; results in muscle weakness, fatigue, hypotension, nausea, decreased tolerance for stress, and "bronzing" of the skin owing to increased production of adrenocorticotropic hormone.

            Causes: autoimmunity against the adrenal gland; bacterial or viral infection; cancer.

            Contraindications/indications: refer to doctor.