Adrenal Disorders

In mammals, the adrenal glands (also known as suprarenal glands) are the triangle-shaped endocrine glands that sit on top of the kidneys. They are chiefly responsible for regulating the stress response through the synthesis of corticosteroids and catecholamines, including cortisol and adrenaline.

The adrenal gland is separated into two distinct structures, both of which receive regulatory input from the nervous system:

• Adrenal medull: the adrenal medulla is the central core of the adrenal gland, surrounded by the adrenal cortex. The chromaffin cells of the medulla are the body's main source of the catecholamine hormones adrenaline (epinephrine) and noradrenaline (norepinephrine)
  
• Adrenal cortex: he adrenal cortex is devoted to the synthesis of corticosteroid hormones from cholesterol. Some cells belong to the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and are the source of cortisol synthesis. Other cortical cells produce androgens such as testosterone, while some regulate water and electrolyte concentrations by secreting aldosterone.

The adrenal glands are the part of the body responsible for releasing three different classes of hormones. These hormones control many important functions in the body, such as:

• maintaining metabolic processes, such as managing blood sugar levels and regulating inflammation
• regulating the balance of salt and water
• controlling the "fight or flight" response to stress
• maintaining pregnancy
• initiating and controlling sexual maturation during childhood and puberty

The adrenal glands are also an important source of sex steroids, such as estrogen and testosterone.

Adrenal gland disorders occur when the adrenal glands don’t work properly. Sometimes, the cause is a problem in another gland that helps to regulate the adrenal gland. In other cases, the adrenal gland itself may have the problem.

ADRENAL DISORDERS

Addison's Disease	aka chronic adrenal insufficiency, hypocortisolism or hypocorticism main causes: autoimmune attack of the gland (70%), destruction of the gland by granulomas chiefly of TBC (20-25%) other causes: destructive injuries by cancers and lymphomas, adrenal's bleeding or failure, amyloidosis, infections (fungi, HIV, etc.),congenital adrenal hyperplasia. the lack of cortisol and aldosterone is accounted for the most severe cases of Addison's disease symptoms: fatigue, muscle weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, sweating, changes in mood and personality, joint and muscle pains, craving for salty food, anorexia, hyperpigmentation, dizziness, seizures, hypotension, asthenia
Cushing's Syndrome	aka also called hypercortisolism or hyperadrenocorticism asthenia and fatigue rapid weight gain, chiefly at abdominal and face level hyopertensio amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea hyperglycemia and glucose intolerance psychological disorders (depression, nervousness, psycosis) skin disorders (teleangectasias) bone and joint pain slow wound healing and tendency to infections
Hypoadrenia	the terms adrenal exhaustion or adrenal fatigue are often used (and connected to hypoadrenia) by complementary and alternative therapists, under conditions of long term stress, the adrenal glands can become less responsive to circumstance, or maladapted, and cease to function optimally, leading to a wide (but slightly vague) range of fatigue and stress related conditions Symptoms: excessive fatigue and exhaustion non-refreshing sleep (you get sufficient hours of sleep, but wake fatigued) overwhelmed by or unable to cope with stressors feeling rundown or overwhelmed craving salty and sweet foods you feel most energetic in the evening low stamina, slow to recover from exercise slow to recover from injury, illness or stress difficulty concentrating, brain fog poor digestion low immune function food or environmental allergies premenstrual syndrome or difficulties that develop during menopause consistent low blood pressure extreme sensitivity to cold
Adrenal genetic hyperplasia	genetic disorder the body doesn't produce enough cortisol there amy be other hormone imbalances, such as deficiency of aldosterone or execss of androgens

Besides traditional treatments, there are some things to do that may be helpful to adrenal disorders, such as:

• Diet: low sugar diet and avoiding caffeine, guarana, stimulants.
• Vitamins: B and multivitamins supplementation
• Herbs: chuchuhuasi, tayuya, erva tostão, espinheira santa, maca, catuaba, suma, muira puama, cat's claw, artichoke, passionflower, huanarpo macho

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