( 05 SEP 2020 )

Hypothalamic dysfunction is a disorder that is primarily related to the hypothalamus, which is the part of a brain. The hypothalamus is responsible for controlling and regulating the pituitary gland along with several other functions of the body, such as:

• Body clock and the sleep-wake cycle
• Appetite and weight
• Sex drive
• The temperature of the body
• Water and salt balance
• Childbirth
• Breast milk production
• Memory, behaviour, emotions
• Growth

The hypothalamus is also the control centre for a variety of endocrine functions. The endocrine systems that the hypothalamus controls and secrets are:

• Oxytocin
• Growth hormone-releasing hormone
• Gonadotropin-releasing hormone
• Corticotropin-releasing hormone
• Antidiuretic hormone (ADH)

Hypothalamus dysfunction may affect any of the above-mentioned hormones and the relevant endocrine systems. Moreover, several hypothalamic hormones also act on the pituitary gland, which is a small gland located at the brain's base.

Thus, dysfunction of hypothalamic also impacts the affectioning of pituitary and the target organs regulated by this gland, such as thyroid gland, testes, ovaries, and adrenal glands.When this brain part gets dysfunctional, there is a variety of changes that a body goes through, right from some mild ones to more severe ones.

Reasons Behind Hypothalamic Dysfunction:
Hypothalamus dysfunction may occur because of the damage done due to:

• Malnutrition, including anorexia (eating disorder) and bulimia
• Extreme weight loss
• Problems of a blood vessel in the brain, like pituitary apoplexy, subarachnoid haemorrhage, aneurysm
• Genetic disorders, like Kallmann syndrome, familial diabetes insipidus, Prader-Willi syndrome
• Swelling and infection caused by a specific immune system disease
• Head trauma
• Surgery
• Radiation
• Tumour
• Lesion
• Other physical injuries to the hypothalamus

Symptoms of Hypothalamic Dysfunction:
The symptoms that come up in concern with the Hypothalamic Dysfunction are usually because of missing brain signals or hormones. In a way, you may look out for the following symptoms and consult your doctor if you notice any:

• Growth problems (either too much or too little) in children
• Early or late onset of puberty in children
• Headache
• Loss of vision
• Feeling cold
• Constipation
• Fatigue
• Weight gain
• Weakness
• Weight loss
• Poor appetite
• Lack of interest

Possible Hypothalamic Dysfunction Complications:
Generally, the dysfunction of this gland can cause an array of complications; however, they depend upon the level of dysfunctionality and cause. Some major ones include:

• Vision disorders
• Permanent blindness
• Heart problems
• High cholesterol
• Infertility
• Problems with breastfeeding
• Erection issues in men

Final Words:
To detect hypothalamic dysfunction, the health care provider would perform certain physical exams. Urine or blood tests may also be done to determine the levels of some hormones. Other than that, the visual field eye exam to detect tumour or CT and MRI scans of the brain may also be done.

As far as the treatment is concerned, generally, it depends upon the type and cause of dysfunction. However, what is good here is that several causes can easily be treated. Thus, don't forget to get in touch with a doctor as soon as you feel any of the severe symptoms.