Cortisol and Aldosterone.
- Adrenal cancer is a rare and deadly disease that affects the outer layer of the adrenal gland.
- An adrenal incidentaloma is a term for tumours or masses detected on the adrenal gland throughout a routine evaluation for another ailment.
- Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is a hereditary condition in which the body does not produce sufficient cortisol. It could potentially lead to other hormonal issues. The mild version of the disease is rather prevalent. CAH affects more than one in every 100 persons.
- Conn’s syndrome (primary hyperaldosteronism) is the oversupply of mineralocorticoids by the adrenal glands (aldosterone).
- Whenever the adrenal glands produce too much cortisol, it is known as Cushing’s disease. A tumour in the pituitary gland situated near the skull base can induce Cushing’s disease in certain situations. The pituitary gland generates hormones that affect how well the body functions. Pituitary tumours are almost always harmless.
Causes of Adrenal Gland Disorders
Medication or even the body alone might create problems with adrenal gland disorders. However, the following are the most prevalent causes of these disorders:
- Pheochromocytomas are a kind of tumour (a rare tumour that causes the adrenal gland to release excessive amounts of hormones);
- Infections;
- Autoimmune reaction;
- Different endocrine (hormone) gland issues; the pituitary gland, which helps control the adrenal gland, is the most prevalent issue;
- In particular, Cushing’s disease medications can be caused by using high-dose steroids; adrenal insufficiency may result from abruptly ceasing glucocorticoids (such as prednisone); as a result, Addison’s disease may develop.
How Do Adrenal Glands Affect Kidneys?
The production of aldosterone, the hormone which tells the kidneys to take extra salt into the circulation and increase the secretion of potassium into the urine, connects the adrenal glands to the urinary system. That is the pH level of your blood in equilibrium.
Signs and Symptoms of Adrenal Gland Dysfunction
Adrenal gland disorder can cause the following symptoms:
- Dizziness
- Extreme exhaustion
- Sweating
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Growth in the demand for salt
- Low blood sugar level
- Hypotension, the medical term for low blood pressure
- Irregular periods
- Dark patches on the skin
- Joint and muscle ache
- Gaining or losing weight
Adrenal gland disorders often have subtle symptoms initially. However, they usually become increasingly worse with time.
Treatment Methods
Adrenal gland disorders are treated in a variety of ways. If you have been diagnosed with an adrenal gland disorder, the doctor will recommend treatment to get your adrenal glands back in working order. If you have reduced adrenal function, such as those caused by Addison’s disease, they will most likely recommend hormone replacement medication. In addition, doctors may prescribe drugs and radiation therapy when your glands release that much of a hormone.
Certain adrenal problems can also be treated with surgery. If you have any of the following symptoms, your doctor may suggest surgery:
- You have cancerous tumours that can be surgically removed.
- You have tumours on your pituitary or adrenal glands
- Hormone suppressants are ineffective.
The doctor will have to monitor your blood hormone level during therapy regularly. In addition, the doctor will probably look for symptoms of disease within your pancreas, sexual organs, thyroid, and pituitary gland because your adrenal glands are linked to certain other body parts in your endocrine system.
Conclusion
The adrenal glands constitute endocrine (hormone) glands spotted near the top of the kidneys, and abnormalities of these glands may affect several vital physiological functions. These glands create hormones to regulate the body’s ‘fight or flight ‘response, which is the body’s physiological response to a situation in which there’s an attack or medical threat. These hormones directly influence how the body responds.
Blood pressure, heart rate, perspiration, and the production of something like the sex hormones testosterone and oestrogen are among the processes that adrenal gland problems can impact. They also play a role in utilising sodium and potassium and how people’s bodies develop physically and stay pregnant.