Adrenal Gland Disorders
- Where Are the Adrenal Glands Located in the Human Body, and What Is Their Function?
- What Are Adrenal Gland Disorders?
- What Is Adrenal Insufficiency (Addison's Disease) and What Are Its Symptoms?
- Symptoms of Adrenal Insufficiency (Addison's Disease)
- How Is Adrenal Insufficiency (Addison's Disease) Treated?
- What Is Cushing's Syndrome and What Are Its Symptoms?
- Symptoms of Cushing's Syndrome
- How Is Cushing's Syndrome Treated?
- What Is a Pheochromocytoma and What Are Its Symptoms?
- How Is Pheochromocytoma Treated?
- Incidentally Detected Adrenal Gland Masses (Incidentalomas)
- What Are the Possible Surgical Techniques?
Where Are the Adrenal Glands Located in the Human Body, and What Is Their Function?
There are two adrenal glands in the human body, each located on one side of the body, just above the kidneys. They are triangular in shape and have a diameter of approximately 2.5 to 3.5 cm. Each consists of two parts: the cortex (outer layer) and the medulla (inner layer). In fact, these are two separate organs with very distinct functions. The inner part secretes chemicals known as adrenaline and norepinephrine. These chemicals are hormones carried in the bloodstream.
What Are Adrenal Gland Disorders?
- Adrenal Insufficiency (Addison's Disease)
- Cushing's Syndrome
- Pheochromocytoma
- Masses detected incidentally (incidentalomas)
What Is Adrenal Insufficiency (Addison's Disease) and What Are Its Symptoms?
Addison's disease is caused by damage to the adrenal glands for some reason; this results in the body not producing enough cortisol and, in some cases, not having enough aldosterone.
Addison's disease is a condition characterized by symptoms resulting from these hormonal changes.
Symptoms of Adrenal Insufficiency (Addison's Disease)
- Weight loss, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
- Headache, excessive sweating
- Changes in blood pressure and heart rate
- Memory impairment, impaired consciousness
- Extreme fatigue, exhaustion, muscle weakness
- Skin darkening, spots
- Slow, sluggish movements; Sleep disorder
- Involuntary eye movements
How Is Adrenal Insufficiency (Addison's Disease) Treated?
In Addison’s disease, lifelong corticosteroid replacement therapy controls the symptoms. The medication dose should be increased during periods of heightened stress.
Many patients have learned to administer emergency hydrocortisone injections on their own during times of stress. It is very important for patients to carry an identification card listing the medications and dosages to be taken in case of an emergency.
Patients must never miss a dose of their medication. Any medication-related side effects, such as vomiting or weight gain, must be reported to the doctor immediately.
What Is Cushing's Syndrome and What Are Its Symptoms?
Cushing's syndrome is a condition characterized by symptoms that arise when excessive amounts of glucocorticoid hormones secreted by the adrenal cortex enter the bloodstream.
This excess can result from overproduction of hormones by the adrenal glands or from long-term use of steroid medications (cortisone) to treat another condition.
Symptoms of Cushing's Syndrome
· After a period ranging from a few months to several years, the face becomes rounder and takes on a redder appearance.
· Fat deposits resembling a hump between and above the shoulders
· Stretch marks on the skin of the lower body
· Fluid retention (edema)
· Hypertension (high blood pressure)
· Excessive hair growth
· Emotional distress
· Impotence or amenorrhea
· Osteoporosis (bone loss), particularly in the spine and pelvic bones
· Onset of diabetes
How Is Cushing's Syndrome Treated?
If the symptoms are caused by medication, treatment involves stopping the medication or reducing the dosage. If Cushing’s syndrome is caused by a tumor in the adrenal glands, the pituitary gland, or the liver that leads to excessive hormone secretion, the best treatment may be to remove the tumor or, if it is in one of the adrenal glands, to remove that gland.
What Is a Pheochromocytoma and What Are Its Symptoms?
A pheochromocytoma is a tumor—usually noncancerous (benign)—that causes the adrenal glands to produce and release excessive amounts of epinephrine and norepinephrine.
How Is Pheochromocytoma Treated?
The disease is treated with surgical methods. Preoperative preparation—particularly controlling hypertension—is very important for these patients.
Incidentally Detected Adrenal Gland Masses (Incidentalomas)
Not all masses detected in the adrenal gland are active, hormone-secreting masses.
Non-hormone-secreting masses, known as incidentalomas (masses detected incidentally), may also be identified.
These masses are often detected incidentally during imaging procedures—such as computed tomography (CT), ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)—performed for other reasons.
What Are the Possible Surgical Techniques?
The condition can be treated using open surgery and minimally invasive (laparoscopic) surgical methods. Thanks to technological advancements over the past 20 years and the experience gained in surgery, the laparoscopic method is now used more frequently. As a result, patients can be discharged one day after surgery and return to their normal lives more quickly.
How Are These Masses (Incidentalomas) Treated?
These masses generally do not cause any symptoms. 2% of those smaller than 4 cm and 25% of those larger than 6 cm are malignant.
Masses larger than 3–4 cm in diameter are surgically removed due to the possibility that they may be malignant.
Tumors smaller than 3–4 cm in diameter are monitored with CT scans if they are not hormonally active; if they are hormonally active, surgery is planned in consultation with an endocrinologist.
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