Located just above each kidney, these glands produce many hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, necessary for the proper functioning of the organism.
Definition: What are the adrenal glands?
These glands produce many hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, necessary for the proper functioning of the organism. The adrenal glands also called “corticosurrenales” are two in number and each “hailt” a kidney. They are made up of two bunk parts: on the periphery, a yellow zone called “adrenal cortex” or “cortico-surrenal” and, in the center, a red nucleus called “medullo-surrenale”. Each of these two areas is specialized in the production of hormones essential to life.
What is the role of the adrenal glands?
The role of the adrenal glands is to synthesize and release many hormones in the blood circulation essential for the smooth running of the organism.
► The medullo-surrenal secretes norepinephrine and adrenaline, two hormones which accelerate the heart rate and increase blood pressure. They are more particularly produced during stressful periods.
► “The corticosurrenal part produces hormones called” corticosteroids “(cortisol), mineralocorticoids (aldosterone), and androgens (testosterone and dhea sulfate), explains Dr. Pierre Nys, endocrinologist in Paris. Among them, cortisol which contributes to the regulation of blood sugar and has an anti-inflammatory action, testosterone (in partnership with gonads) a male sex hormone which intervenes in sexual development and reproduction, and aldosterone whose role is to control the retention of sodium and the leak of potassium, thus regulating blood pressure “.
Diagram of adrenal glands
What are the diseases of the adrenal glands?
“There are more than 20 diseases related to the dysfunction of the adrenal glands”, specifies Dr. Nys. Among which:
- Addison’s disease, when the production of cortisol is stopped.
- Kidney failure.
- Cushing’s disease, when cortisol is produced in too large quantities.
- Conn disease caused when aldosterone is excess.
- Cancers of the adrenal glands such as corticosurrenalomas which develop at the level of the cortical area of the adrenal gland and clever pheochromocytomas, at the level of the spinal cord zone. The pheochromocytomas are mild in 9 cases out of 10.
Dysfunction of the adrenal glands leads to different symptoms:
- Fatigue
- Digestive disorders
- Loss or weight gain
- Blood pressure disorder (increase or significant drop)
- Decrease in libido
- Joint pain
To detect a dysfunction of the adrenal glands, the doctor first performs a clinical examination via a questioning of the symptoms felt. “Blood and urinary exams can be carried out to analyze the rate of certain hormones in the body. A drug treatment will be prescribed according to the hormone to compensate”, explains Dr. Nys.
Thank you to Dr. Pierre Nys, endocrinologist in Paris.
