The adrenal gland is one of the endocrine glands that is located above the kidneys. It secretes two very important hormones, cortisol and aldosterone.
This gland may be exposed to several diseases that cause it to stop its activity or decrease its production of hormones, and the patient will develop what is known as Addison's disease.
The chances of developing Addison's disease are not many compared to other endocrine disorders, but it is a serious disease that is accompanied by several symptoms that may cause complications that affect the health and life of the patient.
Here we learn about the importance of the adrenal gland, Addison's disease, its symptoms and methods of diagnosis.
The adrenal gland is located in the human body in the form of four small lobes, two of them above each kidney. It produces two hormones, cortisol and aldosterone, which play an important role in regulating many vital functions in the body.
Cortisol controls the body’s metabolic processes, regulates energy production, and directs its use, especially when the body is exposed to various stresses, such as exposure to injuries, infections and surgeries. It also has a role in regulating heart functions, blood pressure, sugar level, and immune system activity.
As for the hormone aldosterone, it is the main controller of the level of important minerals in the blood like sodium and potassium, in addition to its effect on the rate at which the kidneys get rid of excess fluids in the body, and thus aldosterone controls blood pressure and blood volume in general.
addisonian crisis or acute adrenal insufficiency may occur. This situation calls for emergency medical intervention to save the patient's life.
Addison's disease is not dangerous the development of symptoms gradually and after the diagnosis the doctor prescribes medications in specific doses that compensate for the lack of cortisol and aldosterone, depending on the severity of the disease and the accompanying symptoms, and doctors advise some patients to increase the intake of salty foods, especial after sports activities to avoid low blood pressure.
As for the exposure of some people to acute adrenal crisis, this requires going to the emergency immediately to support the vital functions of the body and save the patient's life using special drugs intravenously.
