What are Adrenal Gland Disorders?

Adrenal glands are small, triangular organs that are located on the top of each kidney. The adrenal glands produce important hormones such as cortisol, aldosterone, adrenaline and noradrenaline, which help our bodies respond to stress, maintain metabolic processes (such as turning food into energy), sustain pregnancy and help control how our bodies change during puberty. These glands play an important role in our health, and it is necessary to recognize when there might be a problem

What causes adrenal gland disorders and what are the symptoms?

Adrenal gland disorders are caused by the production of either too much or too little of a particular hormone, and there are several different disorders. Each disorder has a different cause and different symptoms associated with it.

Cushing’s Syndrome

Cushing’s syndrome can develop if the body is exposed to high levels of cortisol over a long period of time. The body can be exposed to these high levels of cortisol in a few different ways. The first is when the adrenal glands overproduce cortisol on their own. Another way is when people take additional hormones for inflammatory diseases, such as asthma or rheumatoid arthritis, or to suppress the immune system after receiving an organ transplant.

Symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome include:

Upper body obesity, round face and neck, and thinning arms and legs
Skin problems, such as acne or reddish-blue streaks on the abdomen or underarm area
High blood pressure
Muscle and bone weakness
Moodiness, irritability, or depression
High blood sugars
Slow growth rates in children
Women may have increased growth of hair on their face and body and experience menstrual irregularities
Men may become less fertile and have a reduced or absent sex drive

Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH)

CAH is an inherited adrenal gland disorder. Both parents must carry the gene in order for a child to be born with CAH, and it affects men and women equally.

Symptoms can range in their seriousness and can be diagnosed in children or adults. Symptoms of mild CAH include:

Shorter than average final height
Early signs of puberty (in children)
Acne
Irregular menstrual periods and possible trouble getting pregnant (in women)
Excess facial hair (in women)

Symptoms of serious CAH include:

Dehydration
Low blood pressure
Low blood sugar level
Trouble keeping enough salt in the body
Altered development of the external genitalia in girls, which is noted at birth and may require surgery to correct
Shorter than average final height
Early signs of puberty
Irregular periods and possible trouble getting pregnant (in women)
Excess facial hair (in women)
Benign testicular tumors and infertility (in men)

Addison’s Disease

Addison’s disease is also known as primary adrenal insufficiency. Addison’s disease occurs when the adrenal glands do not produce enough cortisol and, in many cases, the glands do not produce enough aldosterone as well. The most common cause of Addison’s disease in developed countries is autoimmune disorders, but it can also be caused by infections such as tuberculosis.

Symptoms include:

Weight loss
Weakness
Extreme fatigue
Nausea and/or vomiting
Low blood pressure
Patches of darker skin
Craving for salt
Dizziness upon standing
Depression

Hyperaldosteronism

There are two causes of hyperaldosteronism. The first is excessive growth of normal cells in both adrenal glands, and the second is a non-cancerous tumor in one of the glands.

The most common symptom is moderate to high blood pressure, but other symptoms Include:

Low potassium levels
Muscle cramping or spasms
Excessive urination, sometimes at night
Headache
Generalized weakness

Choosing the Right Treatment for Your Pain

Every patient with chronic pain is different. Picking the right treatment regimen involves understanding the specific nature of your pain, the underlying conditions and clinical judgment. Work with your healthcare provider to find ways to manage your chronic pain and improve your quality of life.