endocrinologist of the Federal Scientific and Clinical Center of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency of Russia
“The adrenal glands are paired endocrine glands responsible for the production of adrenaline, norepinephrine, aldosterone, cortisol and other corticosteroids.”
Functions of the adrenal glands.
Adrenal hormones perform several important functions:
regulate water-electrolyte balance, blood pressure; participate in the production of sex hormones; activate the nervous system and brain activity; together with the pancreatic hormone – insulin – ensure normal blood glucose levels; promote rapid adaptation of the body to stressful situations.
At the same time, stressful situations mean not only emotional stress, but also excessive physical activity, surgical interventions, insufficient supply of nutrients and injuries.
In addition, adrenal hormones reduce the severity of inflammatory and allergic reactions, so their synthetic analogues are often used in the treatment of asthma, systemic diseases, anaphylactic shock and other conditions.
Causes and symptoms of adrenal gland disorders.
Changes in the functioning of the adrenal glands may be due to hypofunction of the paired organ. For example, with Addison’s disease, patients have significantly reduced production of cortisol and aldosterone. The pathology is most often diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 40, in 90% of cases the cause of the disease is autoimmune damage to the adrenal glands.
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Other causes include bacterial and viral infections, amyloidosis, hemochromatosis and other hereditary pathologies. Addison’s disease is a primary form of adrenal insufficiency.
The secondary form develops as a result of pituitary tumors, against the background of traumatic brain injuries, sarcoidosis and vascular diseases. Additionally, adrenal hypofunction may be seen in people receiving glucocorticosteroid treatment when the drug is abruptly discontinued.
Symptoms of adrenal gland dysfunction.
irritability; asthenia; hypotension; digestive disorders (nausea, vomiting, pain in the epigastric region, intestinal dysfunction); loss of sexual desire.
Among other symptoms, some patients note the development of hyperpigmentation of the skin and mucous membranes (most often the lines on the palms and gums darken). The degree depends directly on the severity of the adrenal insufficiency. A small number of people with adrenal hypofunction experience increased cravings for salty foods.
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Another reason for poor functioning of the adrenal glands is the uncontrolled use of anabolic steroids. Athletes and bodybuilders often turn to these medications to quickly build muscle mass.
Photo: istockphoto.com/Azovsky
However, the race for ideal shapes can have irreparable consequences for health:
erectile dysfunction and impotence; cardiovascular diseases; pathological mental changes; liver diseases.
One of the most dangerous side effects of taking large doses of synthetic glucocorticoids is the disruption of the production of natural adrenal hormones and the gradual atrophy of the glands. With prolonged use of anabolic steroids, over time, the organs “shut down” and stop functioning without “feeding” from the outside.
Therefore, a person will have to take synthetic hormones throughout his life to maintain the functionality of the paired organ. It should be noted that with prolonged use they cause many other negative side effects, for example:
hyperglycemia; osteoporosis; peptic ulcer; mental disorders; decreased immunity.
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Hyperfunction of the adrenal glands is characteristic of Cushing’s disease, hyperaldosteronism (Conn syndrome), and pheochromocytoma (tumor). The first disease in men is diagnosed very rarely. The second occurs due to increased production of the hormone aldosterone. The cause of this pathology is usually an adrenal tumor.
Pheochromocytoma is a hormonally active tumor, benign or malignant, that can produce norepinephrine, adrenaline and dopamine. Hyperfunction of the adrenal glands is characterized by:
sustained increase in blood pressure; increased sweating; swelling; muscular weakness; cramps; weight gain.
Also, frequent panic attacks (in the absence of mental illness, pathologies of the central nervous system, negative social factors, excessive stress, somatic diseases) in some cases indicate the presence of pheochromocytoma.
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Diagnosis and treatment
If you suspect hypofunction or hyperfunction of the adrenal glands, you should consult an endocrinologist.
The list of basic diagnostic examinations, as a rule, includes an ultrasound, MRI or CT scan, as well as blood and urine tests.
Two or three days before the ultrasound, foods that cause flatulence should be excluded from the diet and it is also important to prepare for blood donation for adrenal hormones. Two days before collecting the material, you should avoid eating foods that cause an increase in the concentration of adrenaline in the blood (citrus fruits, coffee, chocolate). The day before the visit to the laboratory, it is recommended to avoid sports and physical activity, eliminate alcohol, if possible, do not be nervous, do not work too much, sleep well and do not smoke before donating blood, it is advisable to take medication in the morning after the procedure. When stress levels are high, adrenal hormone levels will be elevated. This is a normal reaction of the body to irritants.
If on the eve of the test a person experienced a strong emotional shock or suffered from excessive physical activity, then the visit to the laboratory should be postponed.
Photo: istockphoto.com/stefanamer
The basis for the prevention of adrenal diseases is periodic preventive examinations, as well as compliance with a work and rest schedule, limited consumption of sugar and caffeine, and reduction in the number of stressful situations that have a negative impact on the emotional state. .
It is important to keep in mind that taking steroid hormones and other types of medications on your own to activate the adrenal glands can be dangerous to your health, so self-medication should be avoided. If there are indications for taking these drugs, it is necessary to strictly adhere to the treatment regimen.
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