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 adrenal glands, causing an imbalance. Aside from cortisol, the adrenal glands also produce hormones that affect your sex drive and development.
Cushing's Syndrome
Cushing's syndrome can occur naturally, or it can be the result of the overuse of corticosteroids such as prednisone. There are many potential symptoms of the disease. For example, you can gain weight in your upper back area that appears as a hump of fat, or you may gain weight in your midsection or your face. Facial rounding, or moon face, is one of the most obvious signs of the syndrome. The Mayo Clinic reports that other symptoms may include a loss of bone that can cause your bones to fracture more easily, headaches, weakness in the muscles or fatigue, an intolerance to glucose that can increase your risk of diabetes, skin thinning, depression, the inability to control your emotions and a reduction in your libido or sex drive. Other potential symptoms include anxiety, acne, changes in your menstrual cycle, irritability, erectile dysfunction and a reduced ability to heal normally from infections, cuts and insect bites.
Addison's Disease
Addison's disease is caused by the opposite of Cushing's syndrome--your body does not produce enough cortisol for normal function. This also may be accompanied by your adrenal glands not producing enough aldosterone. Probably the most famous sufferer of Addison's disease was President John F. Kennedy. Typical symptoms of Addison's disease include fatigue and muscle weakness, a loss of appetite and weight, depression, hyperpigmentation or skin darkening, fainting, hypotension or low blood pressure, cravings for salt, hypoglycemia or low blood sugar, irritability, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea and pain in the joints of muscles. These generally occur gradually.
Acute Adrenal Failure
Acute adrenal failure or Addisonian crisis is related to Addison's disease, except that it occurs suddenly and has specific symptoms. These symptoms include hyperkalemia or too much potassium in your system, pain that may occur in your legs, abdominal area or the lower back, unconsciousness, hypotension and diarrhea and vomiting that is severe that causes you to become dehydrated.
