Diseases of the Adrenal Glands

Hypofunction of the Adrenals (Addison’s Disease/Hypoadrenalism)

Adrenal insuffiency is common in Western culture due to the high amount of psychological stress, environmental toxins, and poor nutrition, all of which deplete adrenal reserves. Other lifestyle factors in adrenal insufficiency development include inadequate amount of sleep, eating infrequently, and lack of exercise.

General symptoms include:

• weakness
• dizziness
• fatigue
• weight loss
• abdominal discomfort
• increased skin pigmentation
• depression
• muscle pain
• joint pain
• dehydration, gastrointestinal disturbances, anxiety, low blood sugar, low blood pressure
• reduced tolerance to stress

Causes of adrenal hypofunction include:

• autoimmune disorders
• tumors
• infection
• abrupt withdrawal of long-term steroids
• surgery
• chronic or extreme acute stress that depletes or exhausts the bodies steroid stores

 

 

 

Hyperfunction of the Adrenals (Cushing’s Disease/Hypercortisolism/Conn’s Disease/Hyperaldosteronism)

Hypercortisolism and Cushing’s Disease can be seen to exist together. Cortisol is normally released in response to stress, such as physical, psychological, infection, or trauma stress. Since corisol levels are usually not reduced until the stressor is removed, many people are suffering from a chronic form of low level Cushing’s that we can call hypercortisolim.

Primary aldosteronism (Conn’s disease) is a term to describe adrenal disorders in which excessive aldosterone is produced by the adrenals.

Secondary hyperaldosteronism is due to increased aldosterone produced due to stimuli acting on the adrenals, such as excess rennin, found in such disorders as renal artery stenosis.

General symptoms include:

• redistribution of fat to face (moon face)
• truncal obesity
• high blood pressure
• osteoporosis
• connective tissue weakness
• insulin resistance
• decreased immunity
• depression
• anxiety
• mania
• poor wound healing
• virilism and menstrual irregularities in women

 

Causes of hyperfunction of the adrenals include:

• long term steroid use
• tumors
  
  

 

Effects of Steroid Use on the Adrenals

• Glucocorticoids, such as prednisone, hydrocortisone, and dexamethasone, are similar to natural hormones produced by the adrenal glands.
• They are used to treat a variety of conditions, including many inflammatory diseases, such as asthma and some forms of arthritis.
• Long-term use plays a role in both hypo- and hyperfunction of the adrenals.
• When patients are treated with glucocorticoids, the production of natural adrenal hormones may decrease because of effects on the pituitary and the adrenal glands themselves.
• If glucocorticoids are stopped or decreased too quickly, the adrenal glands may not begin making their own hormones fast enough to meet the body’s needs, and symptoms of adrenal insufficiency result. This condition usually occurs when these drugs are given systematically (by pills or injection), rather than topically (on the skin) or in inhaled forms.

Overview of Adrenal Diseases and Conventional Treatments

Disease	Type	Conventional
Adrenal Insufficiency Syndrome	Hypofunction of the cortex	No conventional treatments available
Addison’s disease	Hypofunction of the cortex	Hormone replacement therapy
Chronic Hypercortisolism	Hyperfunction of the cortex	?
Cushing’s Disease	Hyperfunction of the cortex	Reduce steroid use, surgery, radiation, medication
Conn Syndrome/Hyperaldosteronism	Hyperfunction of the cortex	Surgery, medications to reduce hypertension
Pheochromocytoma	Hyperfunction of the medulla	Surgery