The adrenal glands are located above each kidney and are a part of the endocrine system. They produce hormones called cortisol, adrenaline and aldosterone, which play vital roles in your body’s most basic functions, such as metabolism, blood pressure and your immune system. When your adrenal glands produce too little or too much of these hormones, an adrenal gland disorder may be diagnosed.
Types of Adrenal Disorders
There are several types of adrenal disorders:
- Addison’s Disease. A patient may be diagnosed with Addison’s disease if their adrenal glands are underproducing hormones.
- Cushing’s Disease. In this condition, a patient’s adrenal glands produce too much cortisol caused by a pituitary gland tumor. The pituitary gland, located at the base of the brain, releases hormones that signal to the adrenal glands to produce cortisol. When the pituitary gland is over-functioning, this results in an overproduction of cortisol in the adrenals.
- Cancerous and benign adrenal tumors. Adrenal tumors can be either cancerous or benignand result in a hormone imbalance. The over or underproduction of different types of hormones will prompt your doctor to look for the underlying cause.
Symptoms & Diagnosis of an Adrenal Disorder
There are a variety of symptoms reported among adrenal disorders, some of which may include:
- Weight gain and obesity
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Mood swings
- Muscle pain, spasms or weakness
Adrenal Disorder Treatments
Depending on the specific adrenal disorder and its cause, a personalized treatment plan will be developed for your needs.
If a tumor is found, you may be referred to an endocrine surgeon to determine if the tumor is operable. If there is a tumor on your adrenal gland, an adrenalectomy may be recommended to remove one or both glands affected. If the tumor is cancerous, your endocrine surgeon will work with an oncologist to determine if radiation therapy is recommended.
If a tumor is not causing the hormone imbalance, the best treatment plan may be medication to restore normal hormone levels.
Endocrine Surgery
If your physician recommends surgery for your adrenal disorder, NGPG’s endocrine surgery team is here to help. Our experienced endocrine surgeons offer compassionate care and the latest technological advancements to strive for the best possible outcome. To request an appointment with NGPG General Surgery, please call us at 770-219-9200 or use the form on this page.