Metabolic disorders result from a malfunction of metabolism. Metabolism is usually working properly.
However, in certain situations metabolic disorders occur as a result of not adequate chemical reactions.
The enzymes and hormones are the components responsible for the chemical reactions of metabolism. Metabolic disorders are mainly due to the scarcity or abundance of enzymes or too much hormones or their malfunction.
In these cases, there is a failure of metabolism or poor metabolism of chemicals.
This can lead to a lack of substances that are necessary for the proper functioning of the body or the appearance of toxins as a result of poor metabolism. In both cases, organic disorders can appear.
Main metabolic disorders
The main metabolic disorders are:
- Obesity: Although obesity can respond to many causes, some of them are caused by metabolic problems. Certain endocrine diseases such as thyroid disorders, for example, can trigger or contribute to obesity.
Some people tend to get fat because of genetics, especially those that have a low basal metabolism. (More information about this topic in the listing above)
- Hyperthyroidism: Hyperthyroidism is a metabolic disorder characterized in that the thyroid produces too much thyroid hormone. The thyroid is a gland very important for the metabolism that is located on the bottom front of the larynx.
This was responsible for the production of thyroid hormones (thyroxine and triiodothyronine) that play an important role in vital functions such as metabolism of fats, production of heat or emotional states. Excessive production of these hormones triggers a whole series of metabolic disorders that can produce more or less serious damage to health.
- Hypothyroidism: a metabolic disorder characterized in that the thyroid produces too little thyroid hormone. Hypothyroidism is the most important cause of the occurrence of goitre.
Goitre occurs when the thyroid increases in size and this change is perceived by the appearance of a prominent bulge in the front of the neck. While a normal thyroid gland weighs 20 to 30 grams. An enlarged thyroid can weigh up to one kilogram, which, in addition to being aesthetically unpleasant, can be responsible for to many difficulties in breathing and swallowing of the person who suffers it.
Untreated hypothyroidism can cause cretinism, a physical condition characterized by a lack of both physical and mental development as well as other characteristic physical symptoms (skin waxy, speech problems, belly, etc.).
The most serious result of having very low levels of thyroid hormones is myxedema coma that is preceded by characteristic symptoms such as hypersensitivity to cold, extremely dry skin, hypotension, slow breathing, temperature lower than would be normal and altered mentality.
- Diabetes: Diabetes is a metabolic disorder consisting of excess sugar in the blood or urine. There are two types: Diabetes insipidus (caused by lack of hormone vasopressin) and diabetes mellitus, caused by alterations in sugar metabolism. Within the latter we have two varieties:
- Diabetes mellitus, insulin-dependent diabetes (type I) is a disease that affects youth and children which appears rapidly. It is characterized by insulin deficiency in the blood, caused by an alteration in the pancreas that produces too little insulin.
- Diabetes mellitus, non-insulin dependent diabetes (type II) which is almost always present from 40 onwards. It is characterized by an inability of cells to absorb insulin from the blood, although insulin production by the pancreas may be normal. Its evolution is much slower than juvenile diabetes.
- Dyslipidemia: It is an alteration of the metabolism of fats. Some of them have a genetic origin and imply a very high production of triglycerides and cholesterol LDL ("bad cholesterol") and low production of HDL ("good cholesterol") Other times it is caused by secondary causes such as sedentary lifestyle, diabetes , hypothyroidism, kidney disease, excessive intake of saturated fat ingestion, rich cholesterol foods or excessive ingestion of drugs such as alcohol or certain medicines.
Dyslipidemia contributes to the development of atherosclerosis and is one of the main causes of circulatory diseases , especially heart attacks.
- Hipolipidemia: Another change in the metabolism of fats consisting of the presence of low levels of fats in the blood. In more rare cases, it is related to genetic causes, but as a result of other secondary causes which include poor absorption of lipids, hyperthyroidism, chronic infections or inflammatory conditions, malnutrition, cancer or alcohol abuse
- Galactosemia: It is a congenital metabolic disorder characterized by the inability to properly digest milk. It results from the lack of the enzyme galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase which prevents to digest galactose or milk sugar, causing its excessive accumulation in the body.
It affects babies in a few days from birth. At first there are no problems, but then begin to show symptoms of this metabolic disorder: jaundice, vomiting, poor weight gain, enlarged liver, etc.
- Phenylketonuria: A congenital metabolic disease characterized by the inability of the amino acid metabolism phenylalanine. It results from the lack of the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase or tyrosine hydroxylase enzyme.
It involves an abnormal growth that can manifest as dwarfism, delayed dentition, changes in texture and color of the skin and hair (clear and fragile hair and skin ), and in more severe cases, spina bifida, absence of genital growth, etc.