Adrenal Gland Problems

There are two adrenal glands in the body and they are located in the anterior of the kidney. The adrenal glands manage our emotions and help us fight stress.

One of the most important functions of adrenal glands is, that they release adrenaline, a hormone that increases heartrate, dilates blood vessels and prepares the body to deal with stressful situations. This article will discuss some common disorders of the adrenal gland.

In the quest to deal with stress, adrenal glands have to maintain high cortisol content in the body. Excessive cortisol in the body has a negative impact and this leads to adrenal fatigue.

When excessive amount of cortisol is produced by the adrenal glands, the condition is known as Cushing's syndrome. Cushing's syndrome leads to muscle fatigue, muscle weaknesses and sometimes even paralysis.

Addison's disease is very difficult to identify and it is characterized by low levels of cortisone and aldosterone in the body. It generally affects the blood pressure.

Pheochromocytoma is a tumor of the medulla and it occurs due to the excess secretion of the hormones epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine. The excess secretion of these hormones leads to increased blood pressure.

Aldosterone is a hormone, that maintains the levels of sodium and potassium in the blood. The disorder, hyperaldosteronism occurs when an excess secretion of this aldosterone hormone takes place in the body. This leads to problems of blood pressure.

Children just like adults, are prone to the adrenal gland problems which can affect their daily activities. Children suffering from these problems show symptoms of fatigue, weakness, nausea and vomiting. Children who have a weaker immune system may show anxiety and irritability in their daily activities.

The disorders of hypothalamic gland and pituitary gland cause the adrenal disorders in children. Some other causes that are linked to adrenal problems in children are Cushing's syndrome and tumors. In case, a child is suffering from adrenalin problem, he must be immediately taken to a medical expert.

The medical expert will diagnose the problem with the help of blood tests. The treatment procedure consists of providing medications and surgeries in very extreme cases.

Adrenal glands play a vital role in producing androgen, the important biological hormone that helps in regulating the health of bones and muscles, protein balance, sexual desire and overall well-being of women. Along with the endocrine system, the adrenal glands and ovaries help in the restoration of libido in them.

Women, being emotional in nature go through a lot of stress especially in times of changing careers and managing family chores. Very often the prolonged stress leads them to unhealthy habits of excessive drinking and smoking. This affects the adrenalin gland's ability to fight stress.

Also, a malfunctioning in the adrenal gland in women leads to an increased risk of osteoporosis and insomnia. The diagnosis of adrenal problems is done through blood tests. By following a healthy diet and lifestyle, stress can be kept under control.

The treatment procedure for adrenal problems varies for every individual. Immediate intervention of the doctor is necessary to avoid any damage to the body.