In healthy people, the adrenal gland is paired and assumes some important functions. It can be divided into an adrenal cortex and the adrenal medulla. The adrenal medulla is responsible for the production of adrenalin and noradrenalin.
The adrenal cortex produces a number of important messenger substances for the body. There are various diseases of the adrenal gland which are usually accompanied by over- or under-functioning of the organ. Thus, in addition to malignant and benign tumors, inflammation of the adrenal gland can also occur.
Such an inflammation occurs when the autoimmune system attacks the adrenal cortex and destroys it. In medicine, such an inflammation of the adrenal glands is a possible cause of Addison’s disease. The main problem of such an inflammation is an underfunction of the adrenal cortex.
In the presence of the disease, this cortex is no longer able to produce sufficient quantities of messenger substances, which is associated with a loss of important functions of these messenger substances. In acute cases of such an adrenal insufficiency, life-threatening conditions can even occur which should be treated immediately. An adrenal inflammation is usually conspicuous by the symptoms of the affected person.
Treatment is relatively simple, since the hormones produced by the adrenal gland can be easily substituted. With correct treatment of an adrenal inflammation caused by the immune system, a normal life can be led and an average lifespan can be achieved. However, the disease should be diagnosed and treated, as in the absence of therapy the disease is always fatal.
Symptoms
Symptoms of adrenal inflammation only occur when a large part of the cells of the adrenal cortex have already been destroyed and the remaining part can no longer compensate for the production of hormones. Since the inflammation is usually a slow process, it is also accompanied by a slow onset of symptoms. This is why many people affected by the disease and their contact persons do not notice the changes at first or interpret them as natural changes of the body.
A typical change caused by adrenal gland inflammation is the brown color of the skin. Thus it happens that although affected persons are not exposed to UV radiation any more than usual, they have a significantly darker skin color. A lack of the hormone cortisol leads to a reduction in performance and weight loss.
It can also lead to complaints of the gastrointestinal tract such as nausea or vomiting. A lack of the hormone aldosterone leads to low blood pressure and a pronounced appetite for salty food. Electrolytes in the blood such as sodium and potassium can also become unbalanced.
