Bio 120 Endocrine System

1. Bio 120 Medical Terminology
Tim Widlic

2. The Endocrine System

3. Hypercalcemia
•Pertaining to an excessive amount of calcium in the blood.
•Causes include: Excessive bone reabsorption and subsequent release of
calcium; this occurs in hyperparathyroidism, metastatic tumors of the bone,
Paget’s disease, osteoporosis, increased intestinal calcium absorption, or
decreased renal calcium excretion.
•Symptoms include: anorexia, abdominal pain, muscle pain, and weakness.
•Signs include: confusion, cachexia, and hypercalciuria. Very high levels of
blood calcium may result in coma, shock, kidney failure, and death.
•Treatment includes administration of prednisone, diuretics, isotonic saline
solution, and other drugs.

4. Hypercalcemia
Pathology associated with hypercalcemia:
•Hyperparathyroidism: A state whereby the parathyroid glands are releasing excessive
amounts of PTH (parathyroid hormone), eventually resulting in an over activity in the
osteoclasts. This process results in calcium being released into the blood, and in more
severe forms, osteoporosis.
•Metastatic tumors of bone: The osteolytic lesions/tumors that are present in metastatic
cancer of the bone, results in hypercalcemia, as the bone matrix is broken down.
• Paget’s disease: Overactive osteoclasts have a lytic effect on the bone, releasing
calcium into the blood. The cells in the bone compensate for this by producing more
bone, as well as an inordinate amount of fibrous connective tissue, in a chaotic manner,
eventually resulting in a thicker, though weakened bone.
•Osteoporosis: An abnormal condition of the bone, marked by excessive breakdown of
the bone, resulting in “porous” bone. Leading to increased levels of blood calcium.

5. Polydipsia
•Pertaining to excessive thirst.
•Can result as a characteristic of several conditions, including : diabetes mellitus,
diabetes insipidus, and nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. Can also occur as a result of
blood loss and as a result of excessive alcohol consumption. Also can have a
psychogenic origination.
Pathology associated with polydipsia:
•Diabetes mellitus: Manifests as a glucose imbalance in the blood, relative to the cells;
this has the effect of osmotically pulling the intra-cellular fluid into the bloodstream and
increasing the excretion of fluid via increased urination, which leads to reduced fluid
volume, which in turn causes polydipsia.
•Diabetes insipidus: A deficiency in the production and/or secretion of ADH
(antidiuretic hormone, released by the anterior pituitary gland), results in excessive
excretion of dilute urine, resulting in reduced fluid volume in the body, which in turn
causes polydipsia. Severe dehydration and hypernatremia can result as a consequence.

6. Polydipsia
Pathology associated with polydipsia, continued…
• Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus: Due to an improper response of the kidney
to normal levels of ADH (antidiuretic hormone), where the kidneys fail to
concentrate the urine by removing free water.
Other causes:
•Hypovolemia: Blood loss, dehydration, emesis, excessive sweating, and severe
burns can all contribute to a state of hypovolemia, an abnormally low
circulating blood volume, thus increasing the likelihood of polydipsia.
•Alcohol consumption: Alcohol has the effect of inhibiting ADH (anti-diuretic
hormone). The inhibition of ADH has a diuretic effect, increasing water
excretion by urination. Polyuria has the effect of causing polydipsia.
•Psychogenic origination: In certain psychopathological conditions, such as
schizophrenia, polydipsia manifests in the form of the obsessive drinking of
water, regardless of thirst. Can result in depletion of electrolytes due to
polyuria.

7. Polydipsia
Treatment options:
Diabetes mellitus: Can be managed with IV treatments of insulin (Type I),
administration of oral medications (Type II), selective dietary intake, and exercise, so as
to regulate blood glucose levels, keeping it within an acceptable homeostatic range.
Diabetes insipidus: Can be managed with the administration of vasopressin (ADH)
and/or thiazide diuretics.
Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus: Can be managed with the administration of
hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride. A low-salt and low-protein diet is considered.
Hypovolemia: In cases of hypovolemia, the administrationo of IV fluids may be
required.

8. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypercalcemia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polydipsia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nephrogenic_diabetes_insipidus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperparathyroidism
http://www.bonetumor.org/metastatic-tumors-bone-introduction
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypovolemia
References:
Fremgen, Bonnie F., Medical Terminology: A Living Language. 4 th. ed. Upper Saddle
River: Pearson, 2009.
Mosby's Medical, Nursing, and Allied Health Dictionary. 6th ed. St. Louis: Mosby,
2002.
Internet sources:

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