Organ System (Part 3)

5. Endocrine System

The endocrine system is made up of glands. The major glands of the endocrine system are the hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, parathyroids, adrenals, pineal body, pancreas and the reproductive organs (ovaries and testes).

Endocrine system function

Glands of endocrine system  produce and secrete hormones. What is hormone? Hormone is chemical substances produced in the body that regulate the activity of cells or organs. These hormones regulate the body's growth, metabolism (the physical and chemical processes of the body), and sexual development and function. The hormones are released into the bloodstream and may affect one or several organs throughout the body [1].

Do you know, our happiness is controlled by four hormones. They are  DOSE [2]:

     Dopamine
     Oxytocin
     Serotonin
     Endorphins

Dopamine “Happy hormone”

Dopamine produced by hypothalamus gland. Dopamine is released when your brain is expecting a reward. When you do pleasure activity,  such as eat certain food, shopping, or just about anything else that you enjoy, dopamine will release and makes you happy[3].

Oxytocin “Love Hormone”

Oxytocin is produced in the hypothalamus. Oxytocin is a hormone and a neurotransmitter that is involved in childbirth and breast-feeding. It is also associated with empathy, trust, sexual activity, and relationship-building. It is sometimes referred to as the “love hormone,” because levels of oxytocin increase during hugging. Females usually have higher levels of  Oxytocin than males [4].

Serotonin “Happy –full hormone”

Serotonin is produced in the intestines and the brain. Serotonin is a chemical that has a wide variety of functions in the human body. It is sometimes called the happy chemical, because it contributes to wellbeing and happiness. 80 percent of serotonin exists in the gut. If your stomach is full, you will be happy and it is caused by Serotonin hormone releasing.

Endorphins “Feel-good hormone”

Endorphins are primarily made in the hypothalamus and pituitary glands. Endorphins are chemicals produced naturally by the nervous system to cope with pain or stress. They are often called “feel-good” chemicals because they can act as a pain reliever and happiness booster.

6. Cardiovascular System

The cardiovascular system also called by transport system of the body. This system has three main organs: the heart, the blood vessel and the blood itself. Responsible for transporting oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and cellular waste products throughout the body, the cardiovascular system is powered by the body’s hardest-working organ — the heart, which is only about the size of a closed fist. Even at rest, the average heart easily pumps over 5 liters of blood throughout the body every minute.

The cardiovascular system functions

Transportation

The cardiovascular system transports blood to almost all of the body’s tissues. The blood delivers essential nutrients and oxygen and removes wastes and carbon dioxide to be processed or removed from the body. Hormones are transported throughout the body via the blood’s liquid plasma.

Protection

 The cardiovascular system protects the body through its white blood cells. White blood cells clean up cellular debris and fight pathogens that have entered the body. Platelets and red blood cells form scabs to seal wounds and prevent pathogens from entering the body and liquids from leaking out.

Regulation

The cardiovascular system is instrumental in the body’s ability to maintain homeostatic control of several internal conditions. Blood vessels help maintain a stable body temperature by controlling the blood flow to the surface of the skin. Blood vessels near the skin’s surface open during times of overheating to allow hot blood to dump its heat into the body’s surroundings [5].

Do you know, there is heart disease called by heart failure. What is that? Heart failure is a condition in which the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. The heart doesn’t stop beating, as happens in a cardiac arrest, but rather weakens so that it is unable to pump out all the blood that enters in chambers, either due to weakness or stiffness of heart muscle.

The study, published on May 2, has found that heart failure patients in India had one of the highest mortality rates after one year of diagnosis at 23%. This was more than mortality rates of patients in Southeast Asia (15%), China (7%), South America (9%) and West Asia (9%). Only patients from countries in Africa had a higher mortality rate at 34%. The study also highlighted that heart failure patients in India, Africa and Southeast Asia were approximately 10 years younger than patients in the U.S. and Europe [6].

What is difference between heart failure and heart (Cardiac) arrest?