The adrenal glands produce a variety of different hormones from two functional regions of the gland, the adrenal cortex and the adrenal medulla. The primary hormones produced by the adrenal cortex include aldosterone, cortisol and androgenic steroids, or male sex hormones. The adrenal medulla produces epinephrine and norepinephrine. Overactive adrenal gland diseases may occur because of abnormalities within the gland or in response to excessive hormonal stimulation.
Primary Aldosteronism
Primary aldosteronism is a condition of increased production of the adrenal hormone aldosterone, reports "The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals." Aldosterone acts on the kidney filtering units, causing retention of the mineral sodium. Increased sodium retention causes secondary water retention.
Overproduction of aldosterone increases the total body water load, causing high blood pressure, or hypertension. Increased sodium retention causes loss of potassium in the urine, which precipitates other symptoms of primary aldosteronism, including episodic muscle weakness, spasms and abnormal skin sensations such as burning, tingling or prickling.
Information published by MayoClinic.com notes that possible causes of primary aldosteronism include overgrowth of the adrenal cortical tissue, a benign aldosterone-producing tumor of the adrenal gland, a cancerous hormone-producing tumor of the adrenal cortex and certain rare genetic disorders.
Pheochromocytoma
Pheochromocytomas are tumors that arise from the hormone-producing cells of the adrenal medulla. The tumors produce and secrete excessive quantities of epinephrine, or adrenalin, and the closely related hormone norepinephrine. Epinephrine, often called the "fight or flight" hormone, has potent effects on the cardiovascular system, as evidenced by the symptoms of a pheochromocytoma.
In the electronic endocrinology reference book published by Endotext.org, Dr. Marybeth Hughes and colleagues report that the most common signs and symptoms of pheochromocytoma include high blood pressure, headache, excessive sweating, rapid heart rate, fever, high blood sugar, chest pain, paleness, nausea, vomiting, nervousness, anxiety and fatigue. Patients commonly have symptom attacks, which may last hours to days. Lesser, residual symptoms may be present between attacks.
Cushing's Disease
Cushing's disease is characterized by excessive secretion of the adrenal hormone cortisol in response to a small pituitary tumor called a pituitary microadenoma. The pituitary gland controls the adrenal glands through a group of stimulating hormones. The stimulating hormone adrenocorticotropic hormone, or ACTH, controls adrenal gland production of cortisol. A pituitary microadenoma produces excessive ACTH, which in turn causes adrenal gland overproduction of cortisol, explains ULCA Health Systems Neurology. Although the adrenal gland is overactive with Cushing's disease, there is no abnormality in the gland per se. The problem arises because of the pituitary tumor.
Excessive cortisol causes signs and symptoms in many body systems, including weight gain, overgrowth of body and facial hair, loss of muscle mass and weakness, fatigue, high blood sugar, high blood pressure, easy bruising, menstrual irregularities and decreased sexual interest.
