Check your adrenal level

We have all heard and used the term, “when adrenal flows high”. It signifies extreme state of excitement. But what happens when the adrenal producing glands are damaged or produce insufficient level of hormones. Well, the body and its system go for a toss. This condition is known as Addison’s disease.

The adrenal glands are situated just above the kidneys and produce instruction giving hormones.  Learn more with WTN.

Functions of adrenal glands

Also known as Addison’s disease, Adrenal insufficiency is a hormonal disorder when the primary or the secondary glands fail to produce certain hormones.  While the primary gland is responsible for cortisol and aldosterone, the pea-sized secondary gland produces a hormone that stimulates the adrenal gland to produce cortisol.

In other terms, cortisol and aldosterone are responsible for regulating metabolism, blood pressure, respond to stress and make androgens and estrogens – the sex hormones.  This occurs due to impairment of pituitary glands.

Causes

Primary adrenaline is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immunity system mechanism regards it as a foreign object. The body’s system attacks and destroys its own body tissues.

• Tuberculosis

• Arthritis

• Genetic diseases

• Bleeding into the glands

• Tumors or infected glands

• Surgical removal of glands or radiation etc

• Consumption of corticosteroids for treatment of chronic conditions

• Lack of Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) or adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH )

 Symptoms

The symptoms may take several months to surface. Some of its conditions include,

• Dehydration

• Salt craving

• Lack of sexual appetite

• Irregular or no menstrual cycle

• Weight loss and decreased appetite

• Low blood pressure, fainting

• Hypoglycemia, low blood pressure

• Nausea, diarrhea or vomiting

• Abdominal pain

• Muscle or joint pains

• Irritability & depression

• Pain in lower back, abdomen or legs

• High potassium (hyperkalemia)

• Darkening of skin on skin folds pressure points etc

Treatment

• Ensure proper hormone levels day-to-day

• Replacing or substituting hormones that the glands are unable to produce through intravenous fluids or oral medication

• Balancing sodium, potassium and increase water retention

Caution

If untreated, adrenal insufficiency can be fatal.

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