ABSTRACT
In previous chapters, we began the detailed discussion of the three limbs of homeostatic physiology for amplification of the dynamics of the homeostatic response. It was noted that once local homeostatic control is exceeded, this response might be disrupted or imbalanced by noxious stimuli in the patients with chemical sensitivity and/or chronic degenerative disease. Our first focus was the sensory spinal nerves, autonomic and central nervous system limb discussed in Chapter 2. The next limb of amplification of the homeostatic response, the immune system, we discussed in Chapter 3.1 The final limb of anatomic physiology of the amplification systems that is altered in chemical sensitivity and/or chronic degenerative disease is the endocrine system, which is the subject of this chapter. The dynamic function of these three limbs creates all of the homeostatic amplification systems, which are the major subunits of the central homeostatic mechanism. The dynamics of the amplification systems can be activated after a localized homeostatic subunit response in the connective tissue matrix is not contained, triggering the secondary amplification system of the homeostatic response in the patient with chemical sensitivity and/or chronic degenerative disease. The triad of the neurological, immune, and endocrine systems, as an integral part of the ground regulation system (GRS), culminates at their proximal end in the hypothalamus, the limbic, the reticular activating system, the area postrema of the fourth ventricle, pituitary gland, and pineal gland of the brain. Distal connections to the end organs such as the thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal glands, pancreas, ovaries, testicles, and thymus gland occur. In addition, these circuits find distal connections to the end organs, neuroendocrine cells, and receptors via the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and the connective tissue matrix. When the functions of any of these organs or systems are out of balance, the dynamics of homeostasis are also out of balance, placing a strain on its energy efficiency that occurs in the patient with chemical sensitivity and/or chronic degenerative disease resulting in weakness and frequently pain. Certainly, a demand will be placed on the nutrient pool resulting in the potential for more altered dynamics of homeostasis, which is seen in the patient with chemical sensitivity and/or chronic degenerative disease.
