Endocrinology

MediFocus MedCenter ©

Graves' Disease

(ND004)

Introduction

Hyperthyroidism, also called thyrotoxicosis, results when the body's tissues are exposed to excessive levels of thyroid hormone. This condition can be caused by several different disorders. Graves' Disease (GD) is the most common form of hyperthyroidism in persons who are not taking thyroid hormones.

Graves' Disease is an autoimmune disorder, meaning that there is a defect in the immune system, causing production of immunoglobulins (antibodies) which stimulate and attack the thyroid gland, causing growth of the gland and overproduction of thyroid hormone. Antibodies also attack tissues in the eye muscles and in the skin on the front of the lower legs (tibial areas).

The choice of treatment modality is based on symptoms, individual preference, and the experience of the health care provider. Many of the treatment modalities for Graves' Disease render the thyroid gland non-functional and lifetime replacement of thyroid hormone by pill is required.

Get the Facts... With your MediFocus Guide

The Medifocus Guide on Graves' Disease provides answers to the following important questions and medical issues:

What are the most common symptoms of Graves' Disease?

Are there any recognized risk factors for developing Graves' Disease?

What kinds of medical tests are used to establish the diagnosis of Graves' Disease?

What is the current standard of care for the treatment of Graves' Disease?

What treatment options are available for the management of Graves' Disease?

Are there any promising new developments or potential breakthroughs in treatment?

Who are the most notable medical authorities who specialize in Graves' Disease?

Where are the leading hospitals and centers of research for Graves' Disease?

What are the most important questions to ask my doctor about Graves' Disease?

What Your Doctor Reads:

This MediFocus Guide contains an extensive listing of citations and abstracts of recent journal articles that have been published about this condition in trustworthy medical journals. This is the same type of information that is available to physicians and other health care professionals. A partial selection of journal articles that are abstracted in this MediFocus Guide includes:

(131)I and thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy.

European Journal of Endocrinology. 2000

Management of hyperthyroidism due to Graves' and nodular diseases.

World Journal of Surgery. 2000

Management of Graves' ophthalmopathy: reality and perspectives.

Endocrine Reviews. 2000

Grey scale thyroid ultrasonography in the evaluation of patients with Graves' disease.

European Journal of Endocrinology. 2000

Special features of Graves' disease in early childhood.

Thyroid. 1999

Medical treatment of thyroid-associated orbitopathy.

Experimental & Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes. 1999

Risk of smoking in thyroid-associated orbitopathy.

Experimental & Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes. 1999

The many 'faces' of Graves' disease. Part 2. Practical diagnostic testing and management options.

Postgraduate Medicine. 1999

The many 'faces' of Graves' disease. Part 1. Eyes, pulse, skin, and neck provide important clues to diagnosis.

Postgraduate Medicine. 1999

Controversies in the management of Graves' disease.

Clinical Endocrinology. 1998

MediFocus Guides... When You Need Trustworthy Medical Information

MediFocus.com understands that consumers who are facing serious medical issues need access to credible, up-to-date medical information to help them make informed health-care decisions. That's why we've developed the MediFocus Guides...the most advanced and trustworthy patient research guides for over 200 chronic and life-threatening conditions. Each MediFocus Guide includes a detailed overview of the condition including information about diagnosis, treatment options, cutting-edge research, and new developments; excerpts of important journal articles from the current medical literature focusing on standard treatments and treatment options; a directory of leading authors and medical institutions who specialize in the treatment of the condition; and a listing of organizations and support groups where you can obtain additional information about the illness.

MediFocus Guides are the perfect solution for consumers who wish to gain an in-depth understanding of their medical issue and avail themselves of the same type of professional level medical information that is used by physicians and other health-care professionals to help then in the clinical decision making process.

Click here for more information.

Back to MediFocus Main Page

MediFocus MedCenter ©

Hypothyroidism

(ND008)

Introduction

Hypothyroidism refers to any state that results in a deficiency of thyroid hormone, including diseases of the hypothalamus or pituitary gland and generalized tissue resistance to thyroid hormone, as well as disorders that affect the thyroid gland directly.

Thyroid hormones are part of the communication system of the human body. Controlled by the central nervous system (the hypothalamus and the anterior pituitary gland), the thyroid gland secretes thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Thyroid hormone production is dependent upon an adequate intake of dietary iodine. The thyroid gland takes up the amount that it needs for hormone production; the rest is excreted by the kidneys.

Hypothyroidism is a common endocrine disorder affecting 1.4% to 2.0% of women and 0.1% to 0.2% of men.

The principle of care for hypothyroidism is to replace the body with thyroid hormone that it is not able to manufacture for itself.

Get the Facts... With your MediFocus Guide

The Medifocus Guide on Hypothyroidism provides answers to the following important questions and medical issues:

What are the most common symptoms of hypothyroidism?

Are there any recognized risk factors for developing hypothyroidism?

What kinds of medical tests are used to establish the diagnosis of hypothyroidism?

What is the current standard of care for the treatment of hypothyroidism?

What treatment options are available for the management of hypothyroidism?

Are there any promising new developments or potential breakthroughs in treatment?

Who are the most notable medical authorities who specialize in hypothyroidism?

Where are the leading hospitals and centers of research for hypothyroidism?

What are the most important questions to ask my doctor about hypothyroidism?

What Your Doctor Reads:

Update on the management of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.

Archives of Family Medicine. 2000

Hyperthyroidism after hypothyroidism.

Southern Medical Journal. 2000

Primary hypothyroidism masquerading as hepatic encephalopathy: case report and review of the literature.

Postgraduate Medical Journal. 2000

Genetic aspects of central hypothyroidism.

Journal of Endocrinological Investigation. 2000

Update on the management of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.

Archives of Internal Medicine. 2000

Diagnosing and treating hypothyroidism.

Nurse Practitioner. 2000

Recent advances in understanding the molecular basis of primary congenital hypothyroidism.

Molecular Medicine Today. 2000

Congenital hypothyroidism: etiologies, diagnosis, and management.

Thyroid. 1999

Hypothyroxinemia in premature infants: is thyroxine treatment necessary?.

Thyroid. 1999

Maternal hypothyroidism: recognition and management.

Thyroid. 1999

MediFocus Guides... When You Need Trustworthy Medical Information

MediFocus.com understands that consumers who are facing serious medical issues need access to credible, up-to-date medical information to help them make informed health-care decisions. That's why we've developed the MediFocus Guides...the most advanced and trustworthy patient research guides for over 200 chronic and life-threatening conditions. Each MediFocus Guide includes a detailed overview of the condition including information about diagnosis, treatment options, cutting-edge research, and new developments; excerpts of important journal articles from the current medical literature focusing on standard treatments and treatment options; a directory of leading authors and medical institutions who specialize in the treatment of the condition; and a listing of organizations and support groups where you can obtain additional information about the illness.

Click here for more information.

Back to MediFocus Main Page

MediFocus MedCenter ©

Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (Type 1 Diabetes)

(ND010)

Introduction

Diabetes is a group of metabolic diseases with characteristic hyperglycemia associated with defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. There are several different types of diabetes.

Type 1 (Insulin-dependent) is due to beta cell destruction, usually leading to absolute insulin deficiency.

Persons with diabetes experience significant illness and even death from a variety of long term effects of elevated blood glucose levels. This is related to the damage of blood vessels in important organs such as the heart, eye, and kidney.

The aim of diabetes care is to maximize quality and length of life by:

providing education and training to manage the disease and its treatment

developing an understanding to facilitate coping with new challenges

controlling the risk of damage to the eye, kidney, foot and arterial circulation

early detection and management of any complications of diabetes

Treatment for anyone with diabetes must include reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, especially control of blood pressure, cessation of smoking, and correction of cholesterol and lipid abnormalities. Diet, exercise, and weight control are the cornerstone of management, especially of type 2 diabetes.

Get the Facts... With your MediFocus Guide

The Medifocus Guide on Diabetes provides answers to the following important questions and medical issues:

What are the most common symptoms of Diabetes?

Are there any recognized risk factors for developing Diabetes?

What kinds of medical tests are used to establish the diagnosis of Diabetes?

What is the current standard of care for the treatment of Diabetes?

What treatment options are available for the management of Diabetes?

Are there any promising new developments or potential breakthroughs in treatment?

Who are the most notable medical authorities who specialize in Diabetes?

Where are the leading hospitals and centers of research for Diabetes?

What are the most important questions to ask my doctor about Diabetes?

What Your Doctor Reads:

The predicaments of "dangerous safety": living with juvenile diabetes in 20th century America.

Western Journal of Medicine. 2000

Retinopathy in patients with type 1 diabetes 4 years after intensive therapy.

Archives of Ophthalmology. 2000

Chronic sorrow in parents of children with newly diagnosed diabetes: a review of the literature and discussion of the implications for nursing practice.

Journal of Advanced Nursing. 2000

Consequences of the diabetic status on the oxidant/antioxidant balance.

Diabetes & Metabolism. 2000

Pancreas and islet transplantation for patients with diabetes.

Diabetes Care. 2000

Hypertension and diabetes: new therapeutic options.

Archives of Internal Medicine. 2000

The diabetic patient with renal failure.

Nefrologia. 2000

New developments in type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes.

Clinical Pediatrics. 2000

Detection and management of diabetic glomerulopathy in children and adolescents with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: need for improved knowledge and better care.

Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology & Metabolism. 2000

Radicals and oxidative stress in diabetes.

Diabetic Medicine. 2000

MediFocus Guides... When You Need Trustworthy Medical Information

MediFocus.com understands that consumers who are facing serious medical issues need access to credible, up-to-date medical information to help them make informed health-care decisions. That's why we've developed the MediFocus Guides...the most advanced and trustworthy patient research guides for over 200 chronic and life-threatening conditions. Each MediFocus Guide includes a detailed overview of the condition including information about diagnosis, treatment options, cutting-edge research, and new developments; excerpts of important journal articles from the current medical literature focusing on standard treatments and treatment options; a directory of leading authors and medical institutions who specialize in the treatment of the condition; and a listing of organizations and support groups where you can obtain additional information about the illness.

Click here for more information.

Back to MediFocus Main Page

MediFocus MedCenter ©

Male Infertility

(ND011)

Introduction

The most commonly used definition of infertility is the lack of pregnancy after 1 year of unprotected regular intercourse. Infertility affects 10-15% of all couples who are attempting to become pregnant.

More than 90% of male infertility is due to low sperm counts, poor sperm quality, or both. Examination of semen and sperm is commonly performed in the evaluation of infertility.

There are several factors that can affect fertility in a man that must be considered.

The goals of care are the determination of any reversible causes of infertility and the initiation of appropriate treatments to maximize reproductive potential. The decision to undergo fertility treatment should be reached only after thorough consideration of the available treatments, potential outcomes (multiple births, failure to conceive), and expense, as well as the emotional and religious factors that may impact on this process.

Get the Facts... With your MediFocus Guide

The Medifocus Guide on Male Infertility provides answers to the following important questions and medical issues:

Are there any recognized risk factors for developing male infertility?

What kinds of medical tests are used to establish the diagnosis of male infertility?

What is the current standard of care for the treatment of male infertility?

What treatment options are available for the management of male infertility?

Are there any promising new developments or potential breakthroughs in treatment?

Who are the most notable medical authorities who specialize in male infertility?

Where are the leading hospitals and centers of research for male infertility?

What are the most important questions to ask my doctor about male infertility?

What Your Doctor Reads:

The environmental impact on male fertility.

Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand. 2000

Varicocele is associated with abnormal retention of cytoplasmic droplets by human spermatozoa.

Fertility & Sterility. 2000

Genetics and male infertility.

Current Opinion in Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2000

Endocrine disruptors and human health--is there a problem? An update.

Environmental Health Perspectives. 2000

Deteriorating trends in male reproduction: idiopathic or environmental?.

Animal Reproduction Science. 2000

Transurethral resection of the ejaculatory duct.

International Journal of Urology. 2000

The role of Y chromosome deletions in male infertility.

European Journal of Endocrinology. 2000

Kinin-enhancing drugs for unexplained subfertility in men.

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews [computer file]. 2000

Cost-effective infertility care.

Human Reproduction Update. 2000

Male infertility and environmental exposure to lead and cadmium.

Human Reproduction Update. 2000

MediFocus Guides... When You Need Trustworthy Medical Information

MediFocus.com understands that consumers who are facing serious medical issues need access to credible, up-to-date medical information to help them make informed health-care decisions. That's why we've developed the MediFocus Guides...the most advanced and trustworthy patient research guides for over 200 chronic and life-threatening conditions. Each MediFocus Guide includes a detailed overview of the condition including information about diagnosis, treatment options, cutting-edge research, and new developments; excerpts of important journal articles from the current medical literature focusing on standard treatments and treatment options; a directory of leading authors and medical institutions who specialize in the treatment of the condition; and a listing of organizations and support groups where you can obtain additional information about the illness.

Click here for more information.

Back to MediFocus Main Page

MediFocus MedCenter ©

Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (Type II Diabetes)

(ND012)

Introduction

Diabetes is a group of metabolic diseases with characteristic hyperglycemia associated with defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. There are several different types of diabetes.

Type 2 (Non-Insulin dependent) diabetes may range from predominantly insulin resistance with relative insulin deficiency to a predominantly secretory defect with insulin resistance.

Type 2 diabetes affects more than 15 million adult Americans and the prevalence is increasing.

The aim of diabetes care is to maximize quality and length of life by:

providing education and training to manage the disease and its treatment

developing an understanding to facilitate coping with new challenges

controlling the risk of damage to the eye, kidney, foot and arterial circulation

early detection and management of any complications of diabetes

Get the Facts... With your MediFocus Guide

The Medifocus Guide on Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM) provides answers to the following important questions and medical issues:

What are the most common symptoms of NIDDM?

Are there any recognized risk factors for developing NIDDM?

What kinds of medical tests are used to establish the diagnosis of NIDDM?

What is the current standard of care for the treatment of NIDDM?

What treatment options are available for the management of NIDDM?

Are there any promising new developments or potential breakthroughs in treatment?

Who are the most notable medical authorities who specialize in NIDDM?

Where are the leading hospitals and centers of research for NIDDM?

What are the most important questions to ask my doctor about NIDDM?

What Your Doctor Reads:

Early detection of undiagnosed diabetes mellitus: a US perspective.

Diabetes/Metabolism Research Reviews. 2000

Islet amyloid and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

New England Journal of Medicine. 2000

The glitazones: proceed with caution.

Western Journal of Medicine. 2000

Can dietary intervention produce long-term reduction in insulin resistance?.

British Journal of Nutrition. 2000

Dietary fibre, lente carbohydrates and the insulin-resistant diseases.

British Journal of Nutrition. 2000

Low glycaemic-index foods.

British Journal of Nutrition. 2000

Arterial stiffness, hypertension and diabetes mellitus.

Journal of Human Hypertension. 2000

Consequences of the diabetic status on the oxidant/antioxidant balance.

Diabetes & Metabolism. 2000

Poor glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes: a conspiracy of disease, suboptimal therapy and attitude.

QJM. 2000

Potential new treatments for type 2 diabetes.

Trends in Pharmacological Sciences. 2000

MediFocus Guides... When You Need Trustworthy Medical Information

MediFocus.com understands that consumers who are facing serious medical issues need access to credible, up-to-date medical information to help them make informed health-care decisions. That's why we've developed the MediFocus Guides...the most advanced and trustworthy patient research guides for over 200 chronic and life-threatening conditions. Each MediFocus Guide includes a detailed overview of the condition including information about diagnosis, treatment options, cutting-edge research, and new developments; excerpts of important journal articles from the current medical literature focusing on standard treatments and treatment options; a directory of leading authors and medical institutions who specialize in the treatment of the condition; and a listing of organizations and support groups where you can obtain additional information about the illness.

Click here for more information.

Back to MediFocus Main Page

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

(ND014)

Introduction

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) also known as Stein-Leventhal syndrome or functional ovarian hyperandrogenism, is a complex endocrine disorder associated with a long-term lack of ovulation (anovulation) and an excess of androgens (male sex hormones, e.g., testosterone) circulating in the blood. The disorder is characterized by the formation of cysts in the ovaries, a process related to the failure of the ovary to release an egg (ovum). In the majority of cases, the ovaries become enlarged.

PCOS afflicts up to 22% of women during their childbearing years, although only 10% of these women develop symptoms. It is one of the most frequent causes of infertility in women.

Many women with PCOS have the onset of symptoms during adolescence, and polycystic ovaries may be found by ultrasound even before the onset of puberty. Ovaries classified as polycystic have eight or more follicular cysts, 10 mm or less in size.

Decisions regarding treatment of PCOS depend on the extent of medical problems (morbidity) caused by the condition and the woman's preferences regarding fertility.

First line management includes diet modification, weight loss and stress reduction since obesity and stress alone can contribute to androgen excess. Other management is directed at the specific symptoms and complications as follows:

Get the Facts... With your MediFocus Guide

The Medifocus Guide on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (POS) provides answers to the following important questions and medical issues:

What are the most common symptoms of POS?

Are there any recognized risk factors for developing POS?

What kinds of medical tests are used to establish the diagnosis of POS?

What is the current standard of care for the treatment of POS?

What treatment options are available for the management of POS?

Are there any promising new developments or potential breakthroughs in treatment?

Who are the most notable medical authorities who specialize in POS?

Where are the leading hospitals and centers of research for POS?

What are the most important questions to ask my doctor about POS?

What Your Doctor Reads:

Correction of hyperinsulinemia in oligoovulatory women with clomiphene-resistant polycystic ovary syndrome: a review of therapeutic rationale and reproductive outcomes.

2000

The importance of diagnosing the polycystic ovary syndrome.

Annals of Internal Medicine. 2000

The genetics of obesity. Lessons for polycystic ovary syndrome.

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 2000

Hyperinsulinism and its interaction with hyperandrogenism in polycystic ovary syndrome.

Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey. 2000

Laparoscopic "drilling" by diathermy or laser for ovulation induction in anovulatory polycystic ovary syndrome.

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews [computer file]. 2000

Pulsatile luteinising hormone releasing hormone for ovulation induction in subfertility associated with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews [computer file]. 2000

Ovulation induction with urinary follicle stimulating hormone versus human menopausal gonadotropin for clomiphene-resistant polycystic ovary syndrome.

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews [computer file]. 2000

Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogue as an adjunct to gonadotropin therapy for clomiphene-resistant polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews [computer file]. 2000

Polycystic ovary syndrome: a risk factor for cardiovascular disease?.

BJOG: an International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology. 2000

Genetic abnormalities in polycystic ovary syndrome.

Annales d Endocrinologie. 1999

MediFocus Guides... When You Need Trustworthy Medical Information

MediFocus.com understands that consumers who are facing serious medical issues need access to credible, up-to-date medical information to help them make informed health-care decisions. That's why we've developed the MediFocus Guides...the most advanced and trustworthy patient research guides for over 200 chronic and life-threatening conditions. Each MediFocus Guide includes a detailed overview of the condition including information about diagnosis, treatment options, cutting-edge research, and new developments; excerpts of important journal articles from the current medical literature focusing on standard treatments and treatment options; a directory of leading authors and medical institutions who specialize in the treatment of the condition; and a listing of organizations and support groups where you can obtain additional information about the illness.

Click here for more information.

Back to MediFocus Main Page