Endocrine glands are hormone-producing organs that have no ducts--they release hormones directly into the bloodstream. Adrenal glands make several classes of hormones--adrogens, corticosteroids, catecholamine and mineralocorticoids. An increase or decrease in any of these hormones can lead to adrenal gland problems such as Cushing's syndrome and Addison's disease.
Hormones
The adrenal gland has two parts. It has an inner part called the medulla and an outer one known as the cortex. The adrenal cortex produces corticosteroids such as cortisol and aldosterone, which is a mineralocorticoid. Catecholamines such as dopamine and epinephrine are manufactured in the adrenal medulla. Testosterone is an androgen and the adrenal cortex produces materials that lead to the production of this hormone.
Function
Adrenal hormones have many functions. Cortisol helps the body to cope during periods of stress, such as when a person is sick. It also regulates inflammation, which occurs during an immune response by the immune system. In addition, cortisol plays a part in regulating blood pressure and proper functioning of the heart and blood vessels--the cardiovascular system.
Catecholamines get the body ready for action or physical activity. They control functions such as heart rate and blood pressure. Aldosterone regulates how the body excretes potassium and retains sodium. This in turn determines how high or low blood pressure is. Androgens regulate development of male sex characteristics.
Problems
An increase in blood levels of cortisol causes Cushing's Syndrome, while a low amount leads to Addison's disease. High cortisol levels cause symptoms such as high blood pressure and redistribution of fat in the body. There is increase in fat around the face--leading to a "moon face" or round face. The abdominal area, neck and upper back also experience an increase in fat in Cushing's Syndrome. In Addison's disease, blood pressure is low and sufferers are chronically tired. This tiredness gets worse over time. In certain cases, patches of skin are darkly pigmented.
A decrease in aldosterone also occurs in Addison's disease, and this leads to a drop in blood pressure. An increase in this hormone causes an increase in the blood volume due to water retention and an increase in blood pressure. High amounts of catecholamines, as seen in pheochromocytoma--an adrenal tumor-- cause an increase in blood pressure, as well.
Causes
Problems with the adrenal glands such as Cushing's Syndrome and phechromocytoma can be due to tumors in the adrenal glands. These tumors may be cancerous or non-cancerous. Tumors in the pituitary gland--found in the brain, can also cause Cushing's Syndrome in a form called Cushing's disease. Enlargement of the adrenal glands as well as conditions such as infection in this gland can cause adrenal gland issues, as well. According to the National Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Information Service, autoimmune disease--which occurs when the body's immune system attacks and destroys organs in the body such as the adrenal glands--cause up to 80 percent of Addison's disease cases.
Treatment
When tumors are the cause of adrenal gland problems, they can be surgically removed. Sometimes, according to The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library, both glands may have to be removed if more conservative treatment is not effective or if tumors are absent. In this case, the patient has to go on hormone replacement therapy for corticosteroids. Hormone replacement therapy is also used to treat adrenal gland problems in which adrenal hormones are low. It involves administering synthetic versions of the deficient hormones. In cases of a pituitary tumor, radiation can also be used to kill off the tumor.
