HORMONAL DISORDERS: THE ADRENAL GLANDS

Each adenal actually contains two glands, the medulla and the cortex. The medulla is inside the cortex, and they derive from completely different embryonic tissue. The medulla derives from nervous tissue, and it secretes adrenaline and noradrenaline. It rarely malfunctions, except in the very rare case of a benign tumour, which will lead to excess secretions, causing sweating, palpitations, headache, hypertension, and panic.

The cortex more commonly malfunctions, producing either a surplus or deficit of cortisone. Cushing’s Syndrome is the name given to an excess of cortisone in the body. It is most commonly iatrogenic in origin following long-term cortisol treatment – although it may also arise from a tumour or indeed from further back the endocrine system with a pituitary issue. Classic symptoms include the following: a moon-shaped face with reddening and acne; swelling and stretching of the trunk; increased fat over the shoulders together with thinned and brittle bones, particularly the spine, leading to the characteristic buffalo hump; rise in blood pressure; and glycosuria as cortisone mobilies glucose from the liver.

Addison’s Disease is the name given to under-production of cortisone by the adrenal cortex. Symptoms include low blood pressure, hyperpigmentation of the skin, muscle weakness, aches and pains, weight loss, fatigue, and anxiety.