What is the Hypothalamus... and how does this affect me?
One of the major functions of the hypothalamus is to maintain homeostasis, i.e. to keep the human body in a stable, balanced and constant condition.
The hypothalamus responds to a variety of signals from our internal and external environment including body temperature, hunger, thirst, feelings of being full up after eating, blood pressure and levels of hormones in the circulation. It also responds to stress and controls our daily bodily rhythms (circadian rhythm) such as the night-time secretion of melatonin from the pineal gland (helps regulate sleep patterns) and the changes in cortisol (the stress hormone) and body temperature over a 24-hour period. Basically our hypothalamus keeps us in a state of harmony in the body!
Simply put it our GRANDMASTER CONTROL CENTRE
A Shocking discovery by a 2019 study highlights that women taking The Pill or Oral Contraceptives, had a significantly smaller hypothalamus volume, compared to women not taking the pill. The study was discussed at the annual meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) last year. Is it Time to consider what you put in body and how it effects our whole system?? Be kind to your brain! Remember Its the only one we got!
What might Hypothalamus dysfunction plays a role in? How might a smaller thalamus gland affect us..?
Hypothalamic-pituitary disorders: Because of the close interactions between your hypothalamus and pituitary gland, conditions that affect either are called hypothalamic-pituitary disorders. Certain hormone tests can help determine the exact hormone involved to make a more specific diagnosis.
Hypopituitarism: This condition can be caused by damage to your pituitary gland or to your hypothalamus, which directly affects the pituitary gland.
Diabetes insipidus: This condition happens when your hypothalamus doesn’t produce and release enough vasopressin. This causes your kidneys to lose too much water and results in excessive peeing and thirst.
Prader-Willi syndrome: This inherited disorder causes your hypothalamus not to recognize the sensation that you’re full when you’re eating. Without this sensation, you have a constant urge to eat and are at risk for obesity.
Kallmann syndrome: This syndrome has a genetic link to hypothalamic disease, causing such hypothalamic problems in children as delayed or no puberty.
Acromegaly and pituitary gigantism: These are rare disorders of growth due to excessive release of growth hormone from your pituitary gland.
Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone: This occurs when the antidiuretic hormone level is too high. Causes include stroke, hemorrhage, infection, trauma, cancer and certain medications.
Central hypothyroidism: Central hypothyroidism is a rare disorder that occurs due to both hypothalamic and pituitary disorders. The most common cause is a pituitary tumor such as a pituitary adenoma.
Functional hypothalamic amenorrhea: This condition is the absence of a period for more than three months in people assigned female at birth (AFAB) who previously had regular periods or more than six months in people AFAB who have irregular menstruation. The most common cause of this condition is hypothalamic dysfunction.
Hyperprolactinemia: A decrease in dopamine levels cause an increase in prolactin levels. Causes include a tumor, damage to nerve cells in the hypothalamus and other causes.
What are the symptoms of hypothalamus dysfunction?
Symptoms of hypothalamus dysfunction correspond to the types of hormone involved and if the hormone level is too low or too high. Some symptoms of a hypothalamus problem may include:
High blood pressure or low blood pressure.
Water retention or dehydration.
Weight loss or weight gain with or without changes in appetite.
Infertility.
Poor bone health.
Delayed puberty.
Muscle loss and weakness.
Body temperature fluctuations.
Trouble sleeping (insomnia).
Frequent need to pee.
For more information on how homeopathy can support you returning to a state of balance and repair. Do get in touch via my website or email kirstin.bruges@hotmail.com
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