The adrenals are triangular-shaped glands that sit on top of each kidney. They contain two types of tissue. The inner medulla secretes hormones like adrenaline or epinephrine that help the body's response to stress by increasing heart rate, blood...
Adrenal function affects almost every system in the body. From blood sugar levels to mood, from immune system balance to athletic performance, the function of these small glands impacts your day-to-day health. Specific vitamins show promise in...
The pituitary gland regulates the functioning of all the other glands, hence its common nickname of "Master Gland". Since the glands all work together and in concert with the organs of the body to maintain health and homeostasis, when one gland is...
Small and triangular in shape, the twin adrenal glands sit atop your kidneys. Each gland has two main components -- the cortex and medulla. The adrenal cortex secretes hormones essential to normal human function, while the adrenal medulla produces...
Also called the suprarenal glands, the adrenal glands are important parts of the endocrine system. They produce a variety of hormones that play key roles in the stress response, metabolism and the balance of salt and water in the body. It is also...
The prostate is a mass of gland-like tissue that also includes muscle and fibrous tissue. It is located under the bladder and in front of the rectum in males. Although the prostate is not part of the urinary tract, it plays a major role in normal...
According to the American Thyroid Association, the thyroid gland receives signals to increase or decrease hormone production based on the levels of hormones circulating in the blood. If there aren't enough thyroid hormones in the blood, your...
Certain dietary supplements may be helpful in supporting your adrenal gland function. According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, your adrenal glands produce and release hormones that help regulate numerous processes...
For every individual who feels too stressed to exercise, there's another who uses exercise to relieve stress. Considering the central role that the adrenal glands play in the stress reaction, analyzing their response to exercise can help you...
The pituitary gland is a tiny gland located at the base of the brain. It is about the size of a pea and is located between the optic nerves. The pituitary gland is sometimes called the "master gland" because it controls hormone functions. Since...
Hormones are an important part of the body because they affect several aspects of the body's function such as growth, development, blood pressure, fluid balance and immunity. Endocrine glands like the thyroid gland, pituitary gland, pancreas and...
In the late 1990's Dr. James L. Wilson coined the term "adrenal fatigue" to refer to a group of symptoms that people experience due to low adrenal function. This lack of optimal adrenal performance often goes along with the effects of stress on...
The two adrenal glands are also called the suprarenal glands, because each sits on top of a kidney. The glands are organized into different sections, each of which is responsible for making substances that affect various functions within the body....
The adrenal glands stand out as one of the body's smallest organs, yet perform a pivotal role in normal day-to-day living. Whether responding to stressful situations, mediating an immune system response or providing signals for digestive...
The thyroid gland and the adrenal glands are part of the body's endocrine system. According to Endocrine Web, the endocrine system is composed of a group of glands that secrete hormones. The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped organ that wraps...
The thyroid gland is located at the front of the neck and just below the Adam's apple. Although it is small, this organ plays a critical role in the body's endocrine system by releasing hormones that regulate metabolism. If the amount of hormones...
The adrenal glands are essential to the maintenance of homeostasis, or balance of the human body at rest and during exercise. By interacting with the heart, blood vessels and capillaries, nervous system, lungs, kidneys, skin and other organs, the...
Cumulative stress can take a heavy toll on your health and well-being, affecting mood, sleep patterns, appetite, digestion and possibly the function of your adrenal glands. Adrenal fatigue is not a medical diagnosis but rather an increasingly...
Adrenal glands are small organs located above your kidneys. As part of your endocrine system, they secrete hormones into your body to help it function. Your adrenal glands produce aldosterone and cortisol, hormones that influence how your immune...
The adrenal glands help regulate water and salt in the body, metabolize carbohydrates and control blood sugar. Adrenal exhaustion is caused by the adrenal glands not functioning properly. Symptoms include chronic fatigue, lack of ability to handle...
People sweat from the day of birth onward. Generally, the amount of perspiration is small, just enough to keep the body cool in a process called "thermoregulation," whereby skin is cooled as perspiration evaporates. When the ambient temperature...
On a hot day or following vigorous physical activity, the body cools itself by excessive sweating. Excessive sweating, including under the arms, not triggered by heat or activity describes focal hyperhidrosis .Statistics from Medline Plus show...
The adrenal glands secrete hormones that help the body handle stress. They also help digest carbohydrates, regulate blood sugar and maintain the balance of salt and water in the body. Many factors affect adrenal gland function and some can lead to...
The adrenal glands are near the top of each kidney and are responsible for producing hormones such as cortisol and the sex hormones that the body needs to sustain life, according to Medline Plus. During adrenal fatigue, the adrenal glands do not...
Like menarche, the beginning of a woman's monthly cycle, menopause is a right of passage. Menopause begins with the woman's final period and is confirmed when she has missed 12 consecutive periods. Women experience many physical and emotional...
The G spot, or Grafenberg spot, was discovered in the 1950s by Ernest Grafenberg, a German-born medical doctor. It is the spongy tissue of the paraurethral gland found on the inside wall of the vagina. For women who have discovered their G spot,...
Adrenal exhaustion occurs when the adrenal glands do not produce an adequate supply of cortisol, which is a steroid hormone produced in the adrenal cortex, to keep the body functioning at an optimal level during periods of high stress. Low...
Adrenal fatigue affects most adults at some point in life. Adrenal fatigue can strike during times of stress or when lack of sleep presents itself for prolonged periods of time. Poor eating habits can be a large contributing factor. Your...
Small and triangular in shape, the adrenal glands sit on top of both kidneys and are approximately half an inch in height and three inches in length, according to UrologyHealth.org. They have an outer region, termed the adrenal cortex, and an...
Amenorrhea is the absence of menstruation and can happen during puberty or later in life. Amenorrhea generally does not result from a serious condition. However, not knowing why menstruation has stopped can be stressful. Learn about the symptoms...
Pituitary tumors, or adenomas, often go undiagnosed and are classified according to the hormones secreted. Learn more about pituitary tumors, including symptoms and treatments, in this health video.
Addison's disease is a disorder that results in your body producing insufficient amounts of certain hormones produced by your adrenal glands. Learn about the different causes, symptoms, and treatments of Addison's in this video.
Pancreatitis is an inflammatory condition that occurs when pancreatic digestive enzymes become active within the gland and attack the pancreas itself. Learn about the different causes of, symptoms of, and treatments for pancreatitis in this...
Underactive thyroid, or hypothyroidism, leads to a large range of symptoms, often resembling other illnesses. Learn more about underactive thyroids in this health video.
