Diseases of the adrenal glands usually cause hormonal imbalances. The adrenal glands produce important hormones. An overactive or underactive adrenal gland can therefore have completely different consequences.
Below you will find further information on the various adrenal gland diseases and specialists for their treatment.
The adrenal glands are located on both sides of the kidneys on the so-called poles. An adrenal gland is about the size of a tablespoon, but has an extremely complex tissue and cell architecture. The adrenal gland produces various hormones.
Noradrenaline and adrenaline are produced in the adrenal medulla.
The adrenal cortex consists of three different cell layers. They are responsible for the production of important hormones such as
responsible.
The adrenal glands sit on top of the actual kidneys. They are divided into adrenal medulla and adrenal cortex © Henrie | AdobeStock
Various diseases can lead to a disruption of hormone production in the adrenal gland. In such a disorder, too few or too many hormones can be produced and released. This is referred to as hypo- or hyperfunction.
An overproduction of cortisol is also known as Cushing's disease. Cushing's disease patients suffer from
Overproduction of aldosterol is referred to as Conn's syndrome or hyperaldosteronism. An important symptom is high blood pressure. Potassium levels also fall, which is characterized by
becomes noticeable.
If the adrenal gland does not produce enough cortisol, adrenal insufficiency develops. A distinction is made here between a primary and a secondary form.
The primary form is also known as Addison's disease. This disease leads to symptoms such as
Secondary adrenal insufficiency is often caused by
In this case, not enough ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) or CRH (corticotropin-releasing hormone) is produced. Those affected
In women, menstruation often stops and the skin, nail bed and fresh scars become darker in color.
Those affected usually do not notice any symptoms in everyday life. Complaints typically only occur during psychological or physical stress, as the body then needs more cortisol. Patients then suffer from
In the case of hyperfunction in the adrenal medulla , increased
are released. As these stress hormones are then permanently elevated, this leads to
Patients are then usually very pale and also suffer from dizziness and headaches. As the metabolism is massively increased, blood sugar levels also rise. As a result, there is a risk that those affected will develop diabetes mellitus.
However, the production of stress hormones can also be reduced, which leads to
leads to.
The causes of primary adrenal insufficiency can be found in the organ itself. Diseases such as
destroy hormone-producing cells.
In the case of secondary insufficiency, the hypothalamus or pituitary gland can be destroyed due to
not release enough ACTH or CRH. As a result, the adrenal cortex does not produce any hormones and therefore remains inactive.
A tumor causes the hypothalamus or the pituitary gland to release too much CRH or ACTH. This is therefore often the cause of an overproduction of cortisol.
In addition, a mostly benign tumor can form in the adrenal cortex, which then autonomously produces cortisol. Without treatment, the overproduction leads to Cushing's disease.
The causes of an overproduction of aldosterone can also be found in the adrenal cortex. In most cases, secreting cells multiply for unknown reasons, or a benign tumor causes autonomous production. Another reason may be an increased release of CRH or ACTH by the hypothalamus or the pituitary gland.
Hyperfunction in the adrenal medulla is usually also due to a benign tumor that is also hormonally active. If the production of stress hormones in the adrenal medulla is reduced, this is usually due to long-term alcohol consumption or diabetes. Both diseases damage the adrenal medulla.
However, the production capacity can also be limited by a tumor that is not hormone-active.
Treatment is always preceded by a detailed medical history and a subsequent laboratory examination. With the help of this examination, the specialist(endocrinologist or nephrologist) can determine
It is also possible to diagnose the causes of the respective disease. In addition to the laboratory examination, further examinations such as
are required.
After diagnosis, the doctors treat the causes of the adrenal gland disease in question. If there is a hormone deficiency, the patient is given medication with the appropriate active ingredients.
If there is an overproduction of certain hormones, treating the causes also plays an important role. In addition, concomitant drug therapy is often necessary.
If hormones are produced by tumors, these must be surgically removed.
How quickly tissue destruction of the adrenal cortex occurs is decisive for the course of an adrenal disease. Without appropriate treatment, the disease will continue to progress and the body will become weaker and weaker as a result.
However, patients can expect a good quality of life if they receive early and adequate treatment.
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