How does adrenal gland work

Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Adrenal glands also known as suprarenal glands or "kidney hats" are triangle-shaped endocrine glands located on top of the kidneys.

These glands release hormones that can have an effect on a wide variety of body processes, including regulating metabolism, helping the immune system, and managing stress responses. The word "adrenal" comes from the Latin ad meaning "near" and renes meaning "kidney. The adrenal glands are part of the body's endocrine system , which is composed of a system of glands that release chemical messengers called hormones. These hormones are carried through the bloodstream to specific tissues and organs.

An adrenal gland is made of two main parts:. The adrenal glands release hormones into the bloodstream that regulate metabolism, blood pressure, the stress response, and immune function.

The key hormones produced by the adrenal glands include:. Cortisol is a naturally occurring steroid hormone that plays a role in a variety of body functions. It sends signals to the kidneys to absorb sodium and release potassium through urine, regulating both blood pressure and the number of electrolytes in the body.

DHEA is a naturally occurring steroid hormone that converts into a range of hormones, including androgens and estrogens, the male and female sex hormones. The hormones epinephrine adrenaline and norepinephrine noradrenaline are released during the body's stress response. They help to cause that "adrenaline rush" you have probably felt when you're scared. When the adrenal glands produce too much or too little of a hormone, illness can result. If there's a disorder in the pituitary gland, which signals to the adrenal glands when to make certain hormones like cortisol and aldosterone, the adrenal glands functioning can also be impaired.

Different types of adrenal disorders include:. The symptoms of adrenal gland disorder will depend on the type of disorder you have and can range from mild to severe. For example, you may have tests of your blood, urine pee , or saliva spit. These tests check your hormone levels. Different types of adrenal gland disorders have different treatments.

They include medicines and surgery. Radiation therapy is sometimes a treatment for tumors. There are treatments to cure certain adrenal gland disorders. For other disorders, treatments can manage your symptoms. The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice.

Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health. Adrenal Gland Disorders. See, Play and Learn No links available. Research Clinical Trials Journal Articles. Resources Reference Desk Find an Expert. What are adrenal glands? All of these hormones do many important jobs, including Turning food into energy and managing blood sugar levels Balancing salt and water Keeping blood pressure normal Responding to illness and stress your "fight or flight" response Timing when and how fast a child develops sexually Supporting pregnancy What are adrenal gland disorders?

There are many types of adrenal gland disorders, including Addison's Disease - a condition in which the adrenal glands don't make enough cortisol Cushing's Syndrome - a condition caused by too much cortisol in the body, often from taking steroid medicines for a long time Aldosterone-producing adenoma - a benign tumor not cancer that makes too much aldosterone and may cause serious high blood pressure Hereditary paraganglioma-pheochromocytoma - an inherited condition causing different types of tumors that make adrenaline and other hormones.

These hormones travel in the bloodstream and act on various body tissues to enable them to function correctly. All adrenocortical hormones are steroid compounds made from cholesterol. Adrenocorticotropic hormone ACTH , secreted by the anterior pituitary gland , primarily affects release of glucocorticoids and adrenal androgens by the adrenal gland and, to a much lesser extent, also stimulates aldosterone release. Catecholamines include adrenaline , noradrenaline and small amounts of dopamine — these hormones are responsible for all the physiological characteristics of the stress response, the so called 'fight or flight' response.

This causes high blood pressure, which is resistant to conventional blood pressure control tablets, and salt disturbances. High blood pressure may cause headaches and visual problems. In rare cases, the adrenal glands can become either overactive or underactive. The two main glucocorticoid-related disorders resulting from these are Cushing's syndrome and Addison's disease , respectively. Cushing's syndrome is due to overactive adrenal glands from excessive production of cortisol.

The clinical findings include thinning and bruising of the skin, obesity , diabetes , psychiatric disturbances, high blood pressure, muscle weakness, osteoporosis , excessive facial hair and irregular periods in women.

It can result in growth failure in children. Patients with cortisol excess also have impaired wound healing and an increased susceptibility to infection. Addison's disease or adrenal insufficiency is due to underactive adrenal glands associated with lack of hormones. Adrenal insufficiency may be acute or chronic. Symptoms of chronic adrenal insufficiency include low blood pressure, fatigue, weight loss, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, salt craving and low blood sugar.

Skin and mucous membranes may show increased pigmentation. The loss of secondary sex characteristics is seen only in women with the disease. Acute adrenal insufficiency is a medical emergency and must be identified and promptly treated. The hallmarks of acute adrenal insufficiency are circulatory collapse with abdominal pain and low blood sugar.

Overproduction of androgens is also very rare but may result in excessive hair growth and menstrual period disturbances.