Info | drbasilissa

What is Endocrinology?

Endocrinology is a branch of medicine that deals with hormonal disorders. The human body has a number of important glands that produce hormones that are essential for our well being. These glands can be affected by disorders such as excess or decrease in hormone production or lumps (tumours) of these glands. Examples of some of the endocrine glands in our bodies are, the pituitary, the thyroid, the parathyroid and the adrenal glands.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is also a hormonal disorder which is characterised by the absolute or relative deficiency in a hormone called insulin which lowers blood sugar levels. Diabetes results in the increase in blood sugar levels and this may cause both short term and long term complications. There are two main types of diabetes, Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 Diabetes typically tends to affect younger individuals, has an rapid onset and requires insulin treatment from the outset whereas Type 2 diabetes has a more slow onset, affects older individuals and can often be managed with lifestyle measures (diet and exercise), tablets and other injectable medication.