Disease, Illness and Condition Library


    Adrenal Disorders

    If you were to ask the average person where the adrenal glands
    are located you just might get a blank stare. Others would make
    an educated guess and there would be a small percentage who
    would know human anatomy well enough to give the correct answer.
    For those of us who are searching for the answer to this riveting anatomy
    question, here is the answer.

    The body has two adrenal glands, one near the top of each kidney.
    The inner part (medulla) of the adrenal glands secretes hormones, such
    as adrenaline (epinephrine), that help control blood pressure, heart rate,
    sweating, and other activities regulated by the sympathetic nervous system.
    The outer part (cortex) secretes different hormones, including corticosteroids
    (cortisone like hormones, such as cortisol) and mineralocorticoids (particularly
    aldosterone, which controls blood pressure and the levels of salt and potassium
    in the body). The adrenal glands also play a role in stimulating the production
    of androgens (testosterone and similar hormones).

    The adrenal glands are controlled in part by the brain. The hypothalamus,
    a small gland in the brain involved in hormonal regulation, produces corticotropin
    releasing hormones and vasopressin. These two hormones trigger the pituitary
    gland to secrete corticotrophin (also known as adrenocorticotropic hormone or
    ACTH), which stimulates the adrenal glands to produce corticosteroids.
    The rennin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, regulated mostly by the kidneys,
    causes the adrenal glands to produce more or less aldosterone.

    The body controls the levels of corticosteroids according to need. The levels
    tend to be much higher in the early morning than later in the day. When the
    body is stressed, from illness or otherwise, the levels of corticosteroids
    increase dramatically.

    Symptoms of adrenal disorders vary. In Addison’s Disease, the adrenal
    glands are generally destroyed, resulting in severe weight loss, darkening
    skin, fatigue, low blood sugar, and sometimes low glucose levels.

    Excessive androgen production is the cause of premature sexual
    development in boys and mascullinization – beard growth, deepening
    of the voice, depending on the voice, acne, and perhaps balding
    in women.

    In Conn’s syndrome, increased aldosterone upsets the body’s sodium and
    potassium balance, leading to muscle weakness, high blood pressure, and
    excessive thirst and urine production.

    Cushing’s syndrome, which is often die to the long-term use of steroid drugs is
    marked by excessive cortisone, which causes thinning of the skin and bones,
    easy bruising, mood changes, high blood pressure, and weight gain, especially
    on the trunk and upper back.

    A phenochomocytoma is a tumor that produces excessive adrenaline and  
    other stress hormones. The over production of adrenaline leads to erratic
    high blood pressure levels, palpitations, profuse sweating, and
    extreme anxiety.

    Other Causes of Adrenal Symptoms

    In diagnosing an adrenal disorder, a doctor should rule out tumors of
    the pituitary and other hormone producing glands. He should also
    investigate the use of steroid drugs.

    Diagnosis

    Adrenal disorders are diagnosed by characteristic symptoms and blood and
    urine tests to measure hormone levels. In some cases, all of the patient’s
    urine is collected for a 24 hour period, than analyzed for the presence of
    potassium, sodium, and hormones.

    Conventional Medical Treatments

    The objective is to restore normal hormonal levels and function. In some
    disorders such as Addison’s disease, this requires lifelong replacement of
    hormones.

    When Cushing’s syndrome is the result of taking steroid medications, it can be
    revered by slowly tapering off these drugs. This process must be done under a
    doctor’s supervision, because stopping the medication too abruptly can lead to
    shock.

    Adrenal virilism is treated with medications that suppress over production of
    androgen, or by surgery if a tumor is the source of the excessive hormones.

    Conn’s syndrome and pheochromocytoma usually are treated surgically to
    remove the hormone producing tumors, but drugs may also be used to
    suppress hormone production.

    Self Treatment

    Addison’s disease is a lifelong condition, and it is important to recognize
    symptoms of an impending adrenal crisis – profound weakness, fatigue,
    dizziness or fainting, and severe pain in the abdomen. Infection, and injury,
    or other physical stress can precipitate a crisis unless extra cortisone is taken.
    Patients should be vigilant and wear a Medic Alert bracelet or pendant and
    avoid sports in which they risk a fracture or other injury. Swimming,  walking,
    and use of exercise machines are usually safe.

    Treatment of adrenal virilism reverses some of the masculine changes such as
    new beard growth. However, it does not get rid of existing facial hair; this can be
    removed by electrolysis. Avoid plucking, which irritates the skin and worsens the
    acne and often worsens the acne that often accompanies adrenal virilization.


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