Adrenal Gland Disorders
Hilary Chan
(VeryWell Health, 2023)
Image: ©2023 VeryWell Health
https://www.verywellhealth.com/adrenal-metastases-and-lung-cancer-2249265
Therefore, what are Adrenal Gland Disorders:
Adrenal gland disorders are a sign of too much hormone production, or a lack of production, that often leads to a chain of effects causing a person to become ill (Adrenal Disorders: What They Are, Types & Symptoms, 2021).
What are adrenal glands?
The adrenal glands are small triangled-shaped organs on top of both kidneys. The adrenal glands have two parts for this function: the cortex makes and releases steroid hormones such as aldosterone and cortisol, while the adrenal medulla releases stress hormones like adrenaline and nor-adrenaline (American Association of Clinical Endocrinology, n.d.).
They aim to produce hormones such as cortisol, adrenaline, non-adrenaline, and aldosterone that carry out different functions to keep a person healthy and alive (Adrenal Gland Disorders | Addison's Disease, 2024). These hormones carry out the tasks of turning food into energy, managing blood sugar and pressure, balancing salt and water, playing a vital role in a person's fight or flight response, and helping create sex hormones (estrogen and testosterone) that help a child develop sexually and support pregnancy in women (Adrenal Gland Disorders | Addison's Disease, 2024).
What are the roles of each hormone produced by the Adrenal Glands?
Cortisol
Cortisol is a specific hormone that helps the body manage its use of fats, protein, and carbohydrates, suppressing inflammation, regulating blood pressure, increasing blood sugar, and decreasing bone formation (Adrenal Glands, 2021). It is secreted by the Adrenal Cortex, the outer region of the adrenal gland that is broken into three zones: zona glomerulosa, zona fasciculata, and zona reticularis (Adrenal Glands, 2021).
Aldosterone
Aldosterone plays a role in balancing blood pressure and managing sodium and potassium, also known as electrolytes in the body; this hormone is secreted by zona glomerulosa and regulates the blood pH levels of electrolytes in the blood by sending signals to the kidney that result in absorbing sodium into the bloodstream and releasing potassium through the urine (Adrenal Glands, 2021).
Adrenaline ( Epinephrine ) and Noradrenaline
( Norepinephrine)
Adrenaline and Noradrenaline are hormones produced by the Adrenal Medulla, also recognized as the inner part of the adrenal gland that produces hormones that play a role in a person's flight or fight response (Adrenal Glands, 2021).
These hormones are activated during stressful situations, resulting in increased heart rate, heart contraction, squeezing of the blood vessels, and blood flow in both muscles and brain, as well as control over blood pressure in response to different situations(Adrenal Glands, 2021).
Common Types of Adrenal Disorders
Addison Disease
Addison's Disease is a rare disorder that affects both women and men. It is caused by the body's lack of hormones, more specifically, cortisol and aldosterone (Adrenal Disorders: What They Are, Types & Symptoms, 2021). This disease, also known as Primary Adrenal Disorder, is caused by an autoimmune response that leads the immune system to attack its healthy organs and tissues due to a lack of cortisol, which is a steroid hormone that is needed to help keep pressure balanced, heart functions overall essential for life (Addison's Disease: What It Is, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment, 2022).
The symptoms can vary from person to person, but the most common symptoms are fatigue, hyperpigmentation, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, and low blood and sugar pressure (Addison's Disease: What It Is, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment, 2022).
Cushings Disease
Cushing syndrome, also known as Hypercortisolism, is caused by the overproduction of cortisol - it can be caused by a benign tumor in the brain or adrenal gland that causes this overproduction, therefore becoming a Crushing Disease; this can also be caused by taking a large dose of steroid hormones (American Association of Clinical Endocrinology, n.d.).
Cushing Syndrome symptoms are rapid weight gain, red, round face, wounds that heal poorly, hypertension, and diabetes (Cushing Syndrome: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment, 2022).
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia is a genetic condition that directly affects the adrenal gland, preventing the adrenal glands from producing hormones like cortisol and aldosterone or producing too much androgen (Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH): Symptoms, Causes & Treatment, 2022).
There are two types: Classic Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia, a severe form of this disease that can lead to shock or coma if it goes untreated, and Non-classic Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia, which is the mildest form of this disease (Cushing Syndrome: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment, 2022).
The common symptoms for both CAH are ambiguous genitalia, enlarged penis in infants, premature signs of puberty, development of male characteristics in assigned females at birth, infertility, and other sex characteristic abnormalities (Cushing Syndrome: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment, 2022).
Hyperaldosteronism
Hyperaldosteronism is when adrenal glands produce too much aldosterone, causing high blood pressure, Hypertension, and low potassium levels in the blood (Hyperaldosteronism: What It Is, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment, 2022).
There are two main types of Hyperaldosteronism: Primary Hyperaldosteronism, where the issue is directly from the adrenal glands compared to Secondary Hyperaldosteronism, where the problem is somewhere else in the body causing the overproduction of aldosterone (Hyperaldosteronism What It Is, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment, 2022).
The symptoms of Hyperaldosteronism are more likely connected with high blood pressure or low potassium, such as headaches, dizziness, vision changes, muscle weakness, tingling or numbness, fatigue, and frequent urination (Hyperaldosteronism: What It Is, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment, 2022).
Condition of the Adrenal gland that is related to tumors:
Overall, adrenal gland tumors are often non-cancerous but cause hormone imbalances. Adrenocortical Carcinoma is a relatively rare form of cancer that forms in the adrenal cortex (or outer layer) of the adrenal gland. It can cause an overproduction of hormones (Adrenal Disorders: What They Are, Types & Symptoms, 2021).
Another condition due to a tumor located on the adrenal medulla causing symptoms of high blood pressure due to an overproduction of epinephrine or norepinephrine is known as Pheochromocytoma (Adrenal Disorders: What They Are, Types & Symptoms, 2021).
Symptoms
Adrenal disorder symptoms, such as overproduction, vary depending on the hormone involved. Cortisol includes fragile skin, high blood pressure, and upper body obesity. Compared to overproduction, Aldosterone can cause high blood pressure, low levels of potassium, and overall weakness (American Association of Clinical Endocrinology, n.d.).
Treatment
Treatment for Adrenal disorders is determined based on the severity and type of the disorder. Treatment can range from medication to hormone therapy; for most conditions that cause an excess of hormones, surgical treatment typically suggested by medical professionals (American Association of Clinical Endocrinology, n.d.).
Addison Disease
Addison's Disease is caused by a lack of hormones. To treat Addison's disease, most patients take oral medication every day to replace cortisol or aldosterone, which the body lacks (What Are the Treatments for Adrenal Gland Disorders? 2017).
Cushing's Disease
Treatment for Cushing's disease can vary according to cause. Sometimes, a combination of treatments can be recommended, if the body is creating too much cortisol, it is more likely for healthcare professionals to suggest oral medication, radiation, or surgery (What Are the Treatments for Adrenal Gland Disorders? 2017).
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
For Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia, there is no cure due to the genetic component of simply not being able to produce certain hormones (What Are the Treatments for Adrenal Gland Disorders? 2017).
Some treatments suggested by healthcare professionals include oral medication to replace certain hormones; it again differs according to whether people are told to take medication daily or only when it is needed (What Are the Treatments for Adrenal Gland Disorders? 2017).
Hyperaldosteronism
Similar to other adrenal diseases, treatment can vary depending on what is causing the disease. If the disease is caused by the adrenal gland itself producing too much, it is more likely to be suggested to take oral medication. Another treatment for this disease, if caused by a non-cancerous tumor, would be laparoscopic surgery (What Are the Treatments for Adrenal Gland Disorders? 2017).
Hyperaldosteronism research has suggested that 5-10% of people with high blood pressure are found to have primary hyperaldosteronism, and as high as 25% diagnosed with medication restraint high blood pressure are more likely to have Hyperaldosteronism (Hyperaldosteronism: What It Is, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment, 2022).