The human adrenal glands are responsible for many functions, including maintaining metabolism and pregnancy and controlling sexual maturation in children. When something goes wrong in the adrenal glands themselves or in a part of the body that affects the adrenal gland, then adrenal gland disorders occur. Some examples of these adrenal gland disorders are diseases such as Cushing's syndrome and congenital adrenal hyperplasia.
Function
The adrenal glands can be found on top of both kidneys in a person. They are shaped like a triangle and are about an inch high and three inches long. The inner portion of the adrenal glands known as the adrenal medulla secrete hormones, with adrenaline being one, which have an effect on such bodily functions as heart rate, sweating, and blood pressure. The outer parts of the adrenal glands produce hormones that deal with fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. Male sex hormones and substances that control salt and potassium levels are also secreted from this adrenal cortex.
Effects
Adrenal gland disorders come about sometimes when the part of the human brain called the hypothalamus is not able to produce hormones that are used to control the adrenal glands. The pituitary glands are also responsible for such hormone production and if they are not working properly then adrenal gland disorders can result. Troubles inside the adrenal glands such as infection or disease also contribute to disorders, with the production of hormones in too high or low amounts the main factor.
Significance
One adrenal disorder is Cushing's syndrome, which occurs mostly in adults between 25 and 50. It is usually precipitated by the adrenal glands producing too much cortisol, a hormone that controls stress. Tumors in the pituitary region often cause this overproduction which results in Cushing's syndrome. The illness is marked by such symptoms as obesity, diabetes, excessive hair on the body, fatigue, and hypertension along with potential sexual problems.
Features
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia is an adrenal gland disorder that is genetic in origin. The body cannot produce enough cortisol and makes too much of a hormone called androgen. The symptoms of congenital adrenal hyperplasia include shortness, acne, irregular periods in women, facial hair in women, and in severe instances dehydration, low blood sugar and low blood pressure. There can also be problems with having a high enough level of salt in the body, and benign or harmless tumors in men.
Types
There are other adrenal gland disorders that are much rarer than these. They include cancer of the adrenal glands, which occurs in only 2 out of one million people. Pheochromocytoma is a disease involving the formation of a tumor in the medulla portion of the brain that causes high blood pressure, with 800 cases a year reported in the United States. A condition called hyperaldosteronism is quite rare and affects women in the age group between 30 and 50, with hypertension coming about due to too much of a hormone that controls sodium and potassium levels in the body.
Tags: adrenal glands, adrenal gland, gland disorders, adrenal gland disorders, adrenal hyperplasia, blood pressure