The hypothalamus, an important small part of the brain

The brain is a vital organ of the body which is the center for controlling all functions of your body. That means, if you want to do something, the brain will rule and organize it. Now, in carrying out these functions, one part of the brain, namely the hypothalamus, has a role in this process. Come on, learn more about this part of the brain in the following review.

What is the hypothalamus?

The word "hypothalamus or hypothalamus" comes from Greek, namely "hypo" and "thalamus" which means under the thalamus. The thalamus itself is a part of the brain that functions to convey sensory information and acts as a center for pain perception.

By definition, the hypothalamus is a small but important area the size of an almond nut in the center of the brain. Its function, plays an important role in hormone production and helps stimulate many important processes in the body and is located in the brain, between the pituitary gland and the thalamus.

Know the anatomy and function of the hypothalamus

The hypothalamus has three main regions, each of which has a distinct nucleus. More clearly, let's discuss one by one the main areas in this part of the brain and their functions.

Anterior region

This region of the brain is also known as the supraoptic region, whose main nucleus is the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei, as well as other small nuclei.

Most of these areas of the hypothalamus have functions in producing various hormones. Some of the hormones produced interact with the pituitary gland and produce additional hormones.

Some of the most important hormones produced by the hypothalamus include:

• Corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH). CRH is involved in the body's response to physical and emotional stress. This signals the pituitary gland to produce a hormone called adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). ACTH triggers the production of the hormone cortisol, which is the stress hormone.
• Thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH). The production of TRH stimulates the pituitary gland to produce thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). TSH plays an important role in the function of many parts of the body, such as the heart, digestive tract, and muscles.
• Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). GnRH production stimulates the pituitary gland to produce important reproductive hormones, such as follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH).
• Oxytocin. This hormone controls many important behaviors and emotions, one of which is sexual arousal. In addition, this hormone is also involved in several functions of the reproductive system, namely in childbirth and breastfeeding.
• Vasopressin. This hormone is also known as antidiuretic hormone (ADH), which is a hormone that regulates water levels in the body. When vasopressin is released, it signals the kidneys to absorb water.
• Somatostatin. The function of the hormones produced by the hypothalamus is to stop the pituitary gland from releasing certain hormones, including growth hormone and thyroid stimulating hormone.

Apart from producing hormones, the anterior region also has many other functions, namely regulating normal body temperature through sweat, maintaining a normal circadian rhythm or body's biological clock, so that you can wake up during the day and sleep at night.

Central region

This region of the brain is also referred to as the tubera area, the main nucleus of which is the ventromedial and arcuate nucleus. The ventromedial nucleus helps the body regulate appetite, while the arcuate nucleus is involved in the release of the hormone GHRH, which is the growth hormone.

Posterior region

This region of the brain is also called the mammillary area, whose main nucleus is the posterior hypothalamus and mammillary nucleus.

The function of the posterior hypothalamus nucleus is to help regulate body temperature and stimulate the body to elicit a shivering response. The core function of mammilarity is not known with certainty, but researchers think it has something to do with memory.

Health problems affecting the hypothalamus

The hypothalamus has a very important function. If this part of the brain is not working properly, it is known as hypothalamic dysfunction. This condition can occur when you have a head injury, birth defects, brain tumor, or certain genetic disorders.

In addition, there are several other health problems that also affect the function of the hypothalamus, including:

Diabetes insipidus

A person's body can automatically balance the fluids in the body. Thirst usually controls a person's rate of fluid intake, while urinating and sweating removes most of the fluid in the body.

The hormone vasopressin, also called antidiuretic hormone, controls the rate at which fluids are excreted through urination. The hypothalamus produces vasopressin and the nearby pituitary gland stores vasopressin and releases it into the bloodstream when the body has low fluid levels.

Vasopressin signals the kidneys to absorb less fluid from the bloodstream, resulting in less urine. When the body has extra fluid, the pituitary gland releases small amounts of vasopressin, so the kidneys remove more fluid from the bloodstream and produce more urine.

If this part of the brain doesn't produce and release enough vasopressin, the kidneys will excrete too much water in the body. This condition can cause a person to continue to urinate, thirst, and even dehydration. This condition is called diabetes insipidus. Although it is called diabetes insipidus, this condition is different from diabetes mellitus because blood sugar levels in the body remain stable.

Prader-Willi Syndrome

Prader-Willi syndrome is a rare inherited disorder. This syndrome causes the hypothalamus to not work properly in regulating appetite. This causes people with this condition not full after eating, so the risk of obesity is very high, followed by symptoms of slower metabolism and decreased muscle mass.

Hypopituitarism

Hypopituitarism is a condition when the pituitary gland doesn't produce enough hormones. Although it is usually caused by damage to the pituitary gland, hypothalamic dysfunction can also be the cause.

People with this condition will usually experience symptoms of headaches, blurred vision, increased sensitivity to light, and stiffness in the neck.

Acromegaly and Pituitary Gigantism

Pituitary acromegaly and gigantism are rare growth disorders that occur due to the continuous secretion of growth hormone from the pituitary gland.

Pituitary gigantism occurs in adolescents and children who have excess growth hormone, whereas acromegaly occurs in adults who have excess growth hormone produced by the hypothalamus.

Overgrowth hormone causes over-secretion of growth factors, which in turn stimulates growth-promoting effects on skeletal muscle, cartilage, bone, liver, kidneys, nerves, skin and lung cells and regulates cellular DNA synthesis.

Adolescents and children with pituitary gigantism most often experience a rapid increase in abnormally tall height along with rapid weight gain. Other less common features include large hands and feet, macrocephaly, rough facial features, and excessive sweating.

Meanwhile, adults with acromegaly have symptoms such as soft tissue overgrowth and thickening of the skin, enlarged hands and feet, knee hypertrophy, visceral enlargement of the thyroid and heart, insulin resistance, and diabetes.

Central hypothyroidism

Most cases of hypothyroidism are caused by thyroid disease. However, in rare cases, hypothyroidism can occur due to hypothalamic and pituitary disorders due to traumatic brain injury, metastatic brain cancer, stroke, or infection.

A disturbance in this part of the brain ultimately results in the release of insufficient thyrotropin-releasing hormone or thyroid stimulating hormone, and can lead to central hypothyroidism.

Symptoms of hypothyroidism include lethargy, slow growth in children, extreme sensitivity to cold, hair loss, dry skin, constipation, and sexual dysfunction.

Tips for maintaining the health of the hypothalamus

In order not to cause health problems, the hypothalamus, which is an important part of the brain, needs to be taken care of. Reporting from the Mayo Clinic Health System, here are various tips that can help you keep your brain healthy.

Exercise routine

Your brain needs blood that is rich in oxygen and nutrients to work properly. Well, exercise is one way to increase blood flow to the brain. That is why, exercise can nourish the brain.

Try to exercise regularly for at least 30 minutes every day. You can choose to walk, swim or cycle.

Get enough sleep

Sleep plays an important role in brain health, including the hypothalamus. There are several theories that sleep helps clear abnormal proteins in the brain and strengthen memory.

Eat brain-healthy foods

The brain gets its nutrients from food. Therefore, to maintain brain health you must pay attention to food choices. Increase your consumption of fish, seeds and nuts.

Omega 3 fatty acids are known to provide many benefits to the brain, you can get these nutrients from milkfish, tuna, or salmon.