How the treatment/therapy is carried out | Metabolic disorder – What does it mean?

How the treatment/therapy is carried out

Depending on the type of metabolic disorder, different treatment methods are possible. Many metabolic disorders can or should be treated with medication. If a certain substance is insufficiently available or produced during the disorder, it can be given in the form of tablets.

For example, the treatment of hypothyroidism consists of a lifelong administration of the thyroid hormone L-thyroxine. In diabetes mellitus type 2, on the other hand, there are various drugs that improve disturbed metabolism of sugar. For some diseases, such as diabetes mellitus type 2, it is very important to pay attention to a healthy lifestyle.

This includes above all a balanced diet and regular exercise. These measures should always be considered in conjunction with other therapies. Rarely it can also happen that surgery is considered as a treatment method.

This is the case, for example, with tumors that produce hormones themselves. These include, for example, prolactinoma, a tumor of the pituitary gland in the brain. You can read about the treatment options for hypothyroidism in our detailed article: Treatment of hypothyroidism

Duration/Prediction

Most metabolic disorders are chronic illnesses that often accompany those affected throughout their lives. If diagnosed early, however, the progression of the disorder can often be prevented for a very long time. Consistent therapy and regular check-ups are crucial in order to coordinate any necessary changes in treatment. As a result, most metabolic disorders also have a fairly good prognosis. However, there are also metabolic disorders, such as cystic fibrosis, in which life expectancy is significantly reduced.

What is a metabolic disorder in the brain?

A metabolic disorder in the brain can be understood as various diseases. Most metabolic cycles are controlled by certain sections of the brain, the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus. This is where some hormones are produced and released into the bloodstream, which in turn influence other hormones in the body and thus affect different metabolisms.

This is also called the hypothalamus-pituitary axis. A disorder or disease in these parts of the brain can accordingly lead to a metabolic disorder. An example of this is prolactinoma, the most common tumor of the pituitary gland.

Here, excessive production of the hormone prolactin leads to the production of breast milk independent of breastfeeding and to a lack of menstruation. Furthermore, a metabolic disorder in the brain can be caused by changes in brain metabolism. This means, for example, that a lack of sugar or other nutrients in the blood leads to an undersupply of brain tissue. As a result, the brain becomes diseased, which often manifests itself, for example, in disorders of consciousness.