Endocrine Pharmacology – Effects on the Musculoskeletal System and Common Pathologies Treated

Endocrine Pharmacology – Effects on the Musculoskeletal System and Common Pathologies Treated

Endocrine pharmacology pertains to the interference and use of hormone-interacting drugs intended to address diverse endocrine system disorders, including diabetes, thyroid, and adrenal disorders. These drugs are utilized to directly modulate hormone and physiological activities such as metabolism, growth, and reproduction. Endocrine pharmacology also recognizes the mode of action, health benefits, and risks tied to them, all to optimize applications utilized when treating endocrine disorders.

Effects and Uses on the Musculoskeletal System

Endocrine drugs like glucocorticoids are used to treat inflammatory conditions but can cause muscle wasting and osteoporosis, increasing fracture risk. Further, diabetes is managed by insulin and oral hypoglycemics, but musculoskeletal problems, including joint stiffness and an increased risk of infection, may make it more difficult to treat. Thyroid hormones are essential for bone health and treating hypothyroidism, while imbalances can lead to muscle weakness and altered bone density (Brusa et al., 2020). Sex hormones, used in hormone replacement therapy, aid in maintaining the strength of bones and muscles as well, which, if not correctly maintained, lead to conditions like osteoporosis. The knowledge of the musculoskeletal effects that could be induced by endocrine medication and interaction among different specialists will help improve the quality of treatment by reducing any negative impacts on bones and muscles.

Common Pathologies Treated with Endocrine Drugs

One of the pathologies that require endocrine medications is diabetes mellitus, whereby insulin and oral hypoglycemic medications are used to balance the levels of blood sugar. Osteoporosis is managed with bisphosphonates or hormone replacement therapy and focuses on the management of bone density loss. A few endocrine disorders, such as hypothyroidism, demand thyroid hormones, and supplements to enhance metabolism and prevent side effects on skeletal systems. It is worth noting that there are some conditions like rheumatoid arthritis in which glucocorticoids help manage inflammation.

Side Effects and Implications in Physical Therapy

When attending to clients in a physical therapy setting under endocrine medications, the therapist should not only look at the musculoskeletal ramifications of the treatment but other side effects as well. For example, glucocorticoids can suppress the immune system and decrease the rate of wound healing; hence, they may warrant changes in the loads applied during exercise and some signs of infection detected. A treatment that uses medications like insulin and oral hypoglycemics comes with side effects, such as hypoglycemia, which should be sought both before as well as during the therapy exercises (Janež et al., 2020). Some interfering factors, like thyroid medications, must be considered as they impact cardiovascular performance, which is why any sign of cardiovascular stress during the exercises must be carefully observed. Furthermore, the administration of sex hormone replacement therapy has implications on cardiovascular health and coagulation and, hence, requires close monitoring and exercise prescription modification where necessary.

Precautions for PTAs

When caring for clients with endocrine medications, PTAs need to help the clients understand the prospective effects of the medication and the side effects of the medication and stress, hence the necessity of strict medication adherence and follow-up. It is important to maintain regular interaction with the healthcare team to monitor any interventions related to medications or alterations in the patient’s status (Radcliffe et al., 2023). PTAs need to adjust the exercise program to any musculoskeletal conditions resulting from the disease or take the administered medication, such as weight-bearing exercise, for clients under glucocorticoid treatment since they risk developing fractures. Constant checks of the pulse, blood glucose, and other signs of effects are paramount. They can be done concurrently during the sessions to prevent intervention from interfering with the next set of activities. Moreover, PTAs should be ready to adjust the intensity or duration of physical exercise depending on the reaction to the medication or disease’s change so that therapy is safe and effective.

References

Brusa, J., Maggio, M. C., Giustino, V., Thomas, E., Zangla, D., Iovane, A., Palma, A., Corsello, G., Messina, G., & Bellafiore, M. (2020). Upper and Lower Limb Strength and Body Posture in Children with Congenital Hypothyroidism: An Observational Case-Control Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(13), 4830. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17134830

Janež, A., Guja, C., Mitrakou, A., Lalic, N., Tankova, T., Czupryniak, L., Tabák, A. G., Prazny, M., Martinka, E., & Smircic-Duvnjak, L. (2020). Insulin Therapy in Adults with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: a Narrative Review. Diabetes Therapy, 11(2), 387–409. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13300-019-00743-7

Radcliffe, E., Servin, R., Cox, N., Lim, S., Qian Yue Tan, Howard, C., Sheikh, C. J., Rutter, P., Latter, S., Lown, M., Brad, L., Fraser, S., Bradbury, K., Roberts, H., Recio‐Saucedo, A., & Ibrahim, K. (2023). What makes a multidisciplinary medication review and deprescribing intervention for older people work well in primary care? A realist review and synthesis. BMC Geriatrics, 23(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-023-04256-8

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PHT 3506 Assignment 1
Instructions:
, write a 2 paper, double-spaced in APA format. Times New Roman, 12pt font. Include three references (must be within 5 years) & correctly format what “Endocrine pharmacology” entails, including the different effects/uses of these drugs on the musculoskeletal system and the pathologies we most commonly treat that a client would have these medications administered.

Endocrine Pharmacology – Effects on the Musculoskeletal System and Common Pathologies Treated

Be sure to review what other implications as side effects of these medications can cause with treating a client in physical therapy. Please discuss and share your opinion on the precautions a PTA should take when\ working with these clients with specific diseases or medications within the Endocrine sector