The adrenal glands are a paired organ of the human endocrine system. The most common problems associated with their violation are hypofunction and hyperfunction. In the first case, the paired endocrine glands lose their ability to synthesize a sufficient amount of hormones, and in the second, on the contrary, they produce too much.
What are the adrenal glands?
This endocrine organ is a small pair of glands located just above the top of the kidneys. The right adrenal gland is shaped like a triangle, while the left one is shaped like a crescent.
The hormones produced by this paired organ enter the circulation and are important for the life of the body. Each adrenal gland is made up of two different parts: the inner medulla and outer cortical layers. Certain circumstances can lead to disruption of the work of these glands, both in the direction of decreasing activity and increasing it.
Classification of adrenal hyperfunction
The cortex of these paired glands consists of the medulla, retina, glomerular and fascicular zones. Each cortical part of the adrenal glandsproduces hormones. The following disorders can lead to disruption of their functioning:
- excess mineralocorticoids, which control the amount of electrolytes in the blood;
- adrenal hyperandrogenism;
- excess catecholamines, which are formed from a malignant tumor or during stress;
- an excess of glucocorticoids responsible for maintaining normal blood pressure, immunity and metabolism.
Adrenals: hyperfunction and hypofunction
The paired organ of the endocrine system is abundantly supplied with blood. Without his activity, life is impossible. For example, an animal dies a few days after its adrenal glands are removed.
Hyperfunction and hypofunction is a serious disorder in the body. Reducing the activity of the adrenal glands is primary and secondary. The primary form is formed during destructive irreversible processes in the cortical substance of the glands, and the secondary arises as a result of a violation of the hypothalamic-pituitary system.
The main symptom of adrenal insufficiency is skin pigmentation. It begins to darken, as a rule, on the following parts of the body: neck, arms and face.
Hyperfunction of the adrenal cortex is a violation of the activity of the organ, accompanied by the early occurrence of sex hormones in children. All this can lead to premature puberty. Cases are described when boys of 4-6 years old had a sexual desire, a beard grew, and the genitals reached the size of adults.people.
Hyperfunction of the adrenal glands with increased production of glucocorticoids can appear with tumors, which provokes the development of Itsenko-Cushing's syndrome. This is a pretty serious illness.
Hyperfunction of the adrenal glands, like hypofunction, most often indicates the presence of a serious pathology in the body, so do not ignore the first signs of the disease, but rather consult a specialist.
How does adrenal hyperfunction manifest itself in the weaker sex?
Symptoms in women with excessive production of hormones are as follows:
- acne;
- skin pigmentation;
- depressive state.
If a pregnant woman has been diagnosed with hyperandrogenism, in other words, increased production of male hormones, then she should be constantly monitored by a gynecologist to avoid miscarriage. Most often, for the treatment of such an ailment, the use of artificial analogues of cortisol, which suppress the production of androgens, is prescribed. Also, to normalize the activity of this paired organ, vitamins of groups B and C, as well as trace elements can be prescribed.
In addition, if the activity of the paired glands is disturbed, women may experience problems with conceiving and bearing a child. Hyperfunction of the adrenal glands in women is often manifested by the growth of the clitoris, chest pain, menstrual irregularities and even a decrease in the size of the uterus.
A woman taking birth control will have tostop taking them to normalize the work of paired glands. In general, if a lady has hyperfunction of the adrenal glands, she will have to change her lifestyle, avoid stressful situations and, of course, have a good rest. Be sure to eat properly with such a violation. In addition, it is necessary to find out what other stresses the adrenal glands can experience with such an ailment. Symptoms of the disease, diagnosis and timely treatment of hyperfunction of the paired glands allows you to quickly restore he alth.
Causes of pathology
There is a hyperfunction of the adrenal cortex as a result of excessive activity of glandular cells. This feature appears with functional disorders or due to the development of inflammatory processes. Adrenal hyperfunction is rare in children.
The reasons for its formation may be different, but the most common are:
- Hyperplasia is a change in the size of the paired gland.
- Functional disorders of the body: diabetes, obesity, childbearing, stress.
- Tumors affecting the adrenal glands.
Symptoms of disease
Diagnosis is carried out to detect inflammation and other pathologies of the adrenal glands, but some signs even without it indicate existing disorders in the body. For example, with their hyperfunction, the patient may feel pain in the abdomen, suffer from constipation or diarrhea.
Addison's disease manifests itself as a decrease in the tone of smooth and skeletal muscles, muscleweakness, hyperpigmentation of the mucous membranes and skin. Melanosis at an early stage occurs at the level of grooves and skin folds, then acquiring a diffuse character. This pathology develops due to a decrease in the production of cortisone and aldosterone by the adrenal glands and an increase in the secretion of the pituitary melanoform hormone.
But with Cushing's syndrome, obvious symptoms are a moon-shaped, round face with a reddish tint, thinning of the skin and deposition of fat on the neck. In most cases, an increase in the concentration of glucose in the blood causes diabetes mellitus, since the pancreas does not produce the necessary amount of insulin. With excessive secretion of male sex hormones in children and women, strong hair growth and an increase in blood pressure are noted.
Lack of glucocorticosteroids in the body provokes the appearance of hypoglycemia, weight loss, hypotension, disorders of the cardiovascular system and digestion. Moreover, due to arterial hypotension, a decrease in the size of the heart is possible.
Diagnosis of adrenal hyperfunction
Before making a diagnosis, the doctor first examines the patient and collects an anamnesis. Then he sends him to donate blood and urine to assess the hormonal status and cortisol level. In addition, the patient undergoes ultrasound and MRI.
How to normalize the work of paired endocrine glands?
Treatment for adrenal hyperfunction can vary. For example, ifthe reason for the disorder of their activity in the tumor, then, most likely, surgical removal will be prescribed. Usually, after such an operation, most of the symptoms resolve on their own without additional therapy.
The medical treatment of this disease is based on different combinations of glucocorticoids: "Cortisone acetate", "Hydrocortisone", "Dexamethasone". Moreover, female and male sex hormones such as estrogen and androgen can be prescribed. In addition, it is recommended to reduce s alt intake.
Herbal preparations for excessive hormone production
You should not be upset and give up if you have been diagnosed with "hyperfunction of the adrenal glands." Treatment with folk remedies will help improve the functioning of these paired endocrine organs.
For therapeutic purposes, you can use medicinal lungwort, the leaves and stems of which are allowed to be consumed fresh. It contains many useful minerals and vitamins. A decoction is prepared from this plant to treat hyperfunction of the adrenal glands, which stimulates the production of hormones.
To prepare the tincture, you need to prepare 30 grams of dry grass. It is poured with boiling water and left to cool completely. Then the resulting mixture is well filtered. It is necessary to take a decoction at least 4 times a day, 250 ml each, preferably 30 minutes before meals. The duration of treatment is 2-3 months.
Even withhyperfunction of the adrenal glands, it is useful to use a decoction of black and white mulberries. To create this drink, you will need mulberry leaves. They must first be washed well, then finely chopped. In 1 liter of water, add 4 tablespoons of crushed leaves and cook over low heat for 15 minutes. The cooled mixture will only need to be filtered. It is recommended to drink it like regular tea. To improve the taste, add a spoonful of honey to the drink.
To prevent the development of hyperfunction of the adrenal cortex, you should definitely follow some rules in nutrition. It is worth abandoning the use of peas, chocolate, beans, cocoa, strong tea and walnuts. It is better to give preference to raw chicken yolks, onions, fresh herbs, homemade cottage cheese and baked apples.
