Adrenal failure refers to a malfunction of the adrenal gland that causes a decline in its ability to produce hormones. The adrenal gland is responsible for the production and secretion of aldosterone. That hormone is responsible for regulating...
Caffeine is a bitter substance found naturally in some plants, and it can be synthetically produced and added to foods and beverages. Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, giving you a burst of energy, increased alertness and improving...
Adrenal failure, also called adrenal insufficiency or Addison's disease, is a disorder in which your adrenal glands produce too few hormones. Symptoms may include diarrhea, changes in your blood pressure, paleness or dark patches on your skin,...
The body handles stress by releasing a hormone called cortisol. Cortisol is released from two small glands, one located on top of each kidney, called the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands produce a number of hormones, giving it a variety of...
If you notice certain symptoms like fatigue and insomnia, or if you are catching more illnesses than usual, your doctor may check your adrenal gland function. Long-term exposure to a stressful lifestyle may cause you to eventually experience what...
Pyramid shaped structures that lie on top of the kidneys, the adrenal glands, control the body's response to stress, blood pressure, metabolism and immune system. Hormones produced by the adrenal gland are the steroid hormones cortisol,...
Adrenoleukodystrophy, or ALD disorder, is an inherited disease that affects the nerve pathways. According to The Adrenoleukodystrophy Foundation, 1 in 17,900 boys in the world are affected by the disorder. ALD occurs in adult men but with less...
Excess weight can have a negative impact on health. For many people, staying fit or getting lean is a challenge because of a low metabolism. When reduced metabolism appears to be the problem, many look for a short cut to diet or exercise, or...
The adrenal glands are located on top of the kidneys and play a prime role in the body's endocrine system. The endocrine system uses special chemicals called hormones to help regulate many important processes in the body. Conditions such as...
The term adrenal burnout, or adrenal fatigue, is used to describe a set of symptoms from disorders of the adrenal glands. The Mayo Clinic explains that the medically accepted term for inadequate production of the hormones impacted by the adrenal...
There are several diseases that can affect your adrenal gland, including Cushing's syndrome, in which your body produces too much cortisol, and Addison's disease, in which you do not produce enough cortisol. Tumors also can develop in or near the...
When the adrenal glands are damaged, they can't produce sufficient quantities of the vital hormones cortisol and aldosterone. This condition is known as Addison's disease, or primary adrenal insufficiency. This relatively rare disease saps energy,...
The adrenal glands are only 1 to 2-1/2 inches in length, but they affect many important bodily functions. The adrenal glands work within the endocrine system to produce hormones, which are chemicals produced in one part of the body that affect a...
The adrenal glands are responsible for the production of many hormones that are necessary for vital functions in the body. They also produce the hormones that are needed for the "fight or flight" response for when the body is under stress....
Human adrenal glands exist as a pair of organs situated at the upper pole of the kidneys. Functionally they can be split into two parts: the center, or medulla, secretes adrenaline, while the outer portion, or cortex, makes and releases cortisol...
Intermittent episodes of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are common and can occur for a number of reasons, from overeating to eating greasy or spicy foods. Severe nausea, vomiting and diarrhea that occur often or interfere with daily activities may...
Hyperkalemia is the medical term for high levels of potassium in the blood. While mild hyperkalemia may not cause any symptoms or long-lasting problems, severe hyperkalemia can be life-threatening. Learning about high levels of potassium in the...
The adrenal glands regulate the body's metabolism. Proper nutritional support for the adrenal system can help prevent low energy and other symptoms of adrenal fatigue. Among the nutrients most valuable in supporting healthy adrenal function are...
Low-calcium diets may be used to treat hypercalcemia, which is the presence of too much calcium in the bloodstream. Your doctor may prescribe a low-calcium diet as an adjunct to other medical treatment for hypercalcemia. Because calcium is so...
Medical abortion is a procedure that is available to women during the early weeks of the first trimester of pregnancy. This procedure requires the use of a combination of drugs to terminate the pregnancy. Women have to carry out the procedure...
Low blood pressure, or hypotension, is characterized by a top, or systolic, reading of 90 mm/Hg or less, or a bottom, or diastolic, measurement of 60 mm/Hg or less. There are several causes of hypotension, which is why your doctor will likely ask...
Typically, dietary calcium is safe, but consuming too much has its risks. Soreness in the knees is not a common side effect of too much calcium, but if you develop hypercalcemia, a buildup of calcium in your blood, you may experience muscle or...
Adolescence is a challenging time, both for teens and their parents. In the space of a decade or so, children change dramatically in physical appearance, intellectual capacity and emotional maturity. Although most teens navigate this period in...
The adrenal glands are hormone-producing glands that sit above the kidneys. These glands produce sex hormones and steroids such as cortisol that are necessary to survive. According to MedlinePlus, adrenal gland problems occur when the adrenal...
Eating a healthy diet is very important for treating adrenal burnout. Since the adrenal glands oversee many functions in the body, including metabolism, adaptation to stressful situations and help in regulating blood sugar levels, it is crucial...
Potassium, an essential mineral and positively charged particle, is important for conducting electrical impulses in and outside of your cells. Specifically, potassium helps regulate nerves and muscles involving normal functions of your heart....
Caffeine is the most widely consumed and unregulated stimulant in the world. The majority of Americans knowingly or unknowingly consume caffeine each day, usually from coffee, tea and soda, but also from chocolate, energy drinks and many...
Dehydroepiandrosterone or "DHEA" is an adrenal hormone that affects your body's androgen and estrogen production, according to the Mayo Clinic. If you're 30 years of age or older, or if you have certain medical conditions, you might have low DHEA...
An inflammation of the membranes of the brain and spinal cord, meningitis causes changes to the cerebrospinal fluid, which protects the brain and spinal cord. Bacterial, fungal and viral infections can cause meningitis, although Medline Plus...
