TV SHOWS |  | | |  | | | VIDEO TESTIMONY | | |
| | | | | TESTIMONIALS | | |
| | | | | PATIENT REPORTS | | |
| | | | | HEALTH PROBLEM | | |
|
|
| | | |  Home  Disease Index Adrenal Disorders
pituitary gland disorders, endocrine system disorders, adrenal disease, adrenal crisis, hormone disorders, adrenal deficiency, adrenal hormone, adrenal medulla, symptom of adrenal disorder Treat pituitary gland disorders, endocrine system disorders not responding to prescription drugs, scientifically - DrRaoMD adrenal hyperplasia, gland disorders, adrenal cyst, neck disorders, children disorders, chromosome disorders, adrenal gland disorder |  |
| 
|  |
 | Overview |
| |
The are two small but very important glands, situated one above each kidney, which produce a range of hormones, or ''. Underactivity of the is called hypoadrenalism.
Many of the symptoms of hypoadrenalism are due to a deficiency of the steroid hormone cortisol, which is a potentially fatal deficiency if left uncorrected. Each adrenal gland consists of two parts:
 an outer ring - the cortex
an inner core - the medulla.
The two parts have separate hormone functions and control mechanisms. The production of cortisol in the cortex is controlled by the hormone adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), which is produced by the at the base of the brain.
|
|
| Causes |
| |
Primary hypoadrenalism, or , results from failure of the adrenal glands themselves. This is usually an 'autoimmune' disease, where the immune system produces antibodies that attack tissues of the body rather than a virus or bacteria. In Addison's disease, antibodies attack the , causing damage and scarring. Antibodies to the can be detected in the blood of some patients.
Secondary hypoadrenalism, or ACTH deficiency hypoadrenalism, is caused by diseases of the pituitary gland, which lead to adrenal failure as a secondary effect.
Tuberculosis of the may also cause hypoadrenalism. This was a common cause of Addison's disease in Britain before the 20th century and remains a major cause in underdeveloped countries. Tuberculosis destroys the whole gland, both the cortex and the medulla. There are usually signs of tuberculosis in other organs, particularly the lungs. Destruction of the by tuberculosis is irreversible once hormonal deficiencies are clinically detectable.
Many rare diseases may affect the . In general, at least 80 per cent of both adrenal glands have to be damaged in order for deficiencies to become clinically evident. Rare conditions associated with primary and secondary hypoadrenalism include:
(a genetic disease in which the myelin sheath, or 'insulation', covering the nerve fibres within the brain is lost, along with degeneration of the adrenal gland).
Amyloidosis (a rare condition in which an abnormal substance called amyloid is laid down in various tissues, impairing their function).
Bilateral adrenalectomy (surgical removal of the ).
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (a common inherited condition in which an enzyme defect causes problems with the production of steroid hormones by the adrenal gland).
Drugs (eg ketoconazole, metyrapone, mitotane).
Familial glucocorticoid deficiency (ACTH receptor mutation).
Haemochromatosis.
Haemorrhage - usually in patients receiving anticoagulant drugs or in whom septicaemia ('blood poisoning') is present.
HIV-related adrenal inflammation.
Metastases (spread of cancer from another part of the body.
Sarcoidosis.
This means adrenal deficiency from causes acting on the pituitary gland rather than directly on the adrenal glands. The pituitary gland regulates adrenal cortisol production by responding to the amount of cortisol in the blood. However, the pituitary cannot distinguish between natural cortisol and synthetic steroid absorbed from medicines or steroid creams.
If someone takes such treatment the pituitary production of will drop and as a result the adrenal become relatively inactive. If the steroid treatment is stopped abruptly then the patient may suddenly become deficient in cortisol as the adrenal gland takes some time - weeks or months - to regain its full manufacturing ability again. This is the reason that patients on medium or long-term steroid treatment are advised not to stop taking their medicine suddenly.
Rarely, patients are affected by conditions that destroy the pituitary. Any cause of pituitary disease may cause
|
|
| Symptoms |
| |
The onset of symptoms in is usually subtle. Patients often feel faint and dizzy, and often experience weakness, fatigue and weight loss. At least 50 per cent of patients complain of vague stomachaches or other gut symptoms
Increased pigmentation of the skin (like a sun tan) is common in . Some patients will have a persistent tan long after a holiday. This is due to raised ACTH levels, which stimulate pigment cells (melanocytes) in the skin.
Patients occasionally suffer mental problems, including depression. Some suffer joint and muscle pain. Very rarely, bleeding into the adrenal glands (see Figure 1 in appendix) causes acute severe back pain. This symptom should be particularly investigated in patients receiving anticoagulants, such as warfarin, which prevent blood clots. In some severe infections, particularly meningococcal septicaemia, bleeding may occur into the . The loss of cortisol results in hypotension (low blood pressure) that fails to respond to catecholamine hormones and medications (eg noradrenaline).
|
|
| Risk Factor |
| |
Primary hypoadrenalism is relatively rare, for example it is found in about 6 in every 100,000 people in the North East Thames region. Much more common is caused by the intake of cortisol-like steroids for conditions such as asthma. Cortisol is required as part of the body's response to physical stress (eg emergency surgery). Failure to diagnose hypoadrenalism in an ill patient may lead to collapse and death.
Click here for Therapy
|
|
adrenal disorder gland hormone, symptom of adrenal gland disorder, adrenal extracts anxiety disorders, canine adrenal disorders |
|  |
| | |
|
|
|
