Adrenal Glands—what do they do and how do they relate to your overall health? 

What happens when the neighborhood alligator decides to take a walk down your sidewalk?  Or how you react about seeing a palmetto bug at night when you get up to use the bathroom?  No matter what stimulus, your body reacts physically to excitement, stress, and fear. From elevated blood pressure to dilated pupils, you can thank your adrenal glands for pumping out the necessary hormones that prep your body for action. 

In addition to preparing the body for stress responses such as fight or flight, the adrenal glands are essential for maintaining overall health. Here, our experts at Palmetto Endocrinology provide an explanation of how adrenal glands function and their significance for overall well-being. 

Know your adrenal glands 

These small, triangular-shaped glands are located on top of each kidney. Despite their modest size, they are central to some of your body’s most crucial functions. Each of the gland’s two main parts — the cortex and the medulla — are responsible for producing different hormones that regulate various aspects of your health. 

The cortex 

The outer part of the adrenal gland, the cortex, produces hormones such as cortisol, aldosterone, and androgens.  

Cortisol helps control your metabolism and your body’s response to stress. Aldosterone regulates blood pressure by maintaining a balance of sodium and potassium. Androgens contribute to the development of male traits and reproductive activity. 

The medulla 

The medulla is the inner part of the adrenal gland, and it produces adrenaline and noradrenaline, which trigger your body’s fight-or-flight response. When you are stressed or in danger, these hormones increase your heart rate, blood pressure, and energy supply. 

How adrenal glands affect your well-being 

Your adrenal glands produce the hormones that help you deal with dangerous situations, process food and turn it into usable energy, and keep your blood pressure from rising out of control. Here is a closer look at your adrenal glands’ life-saving abilities. 

Adrenal glands in life-threatening situations 

You rely on your adrenal glands to manage stress. When you face imminent danger, your adrenal glands release hormones that prepare your body to handle the challenge — known as the fight-or-flight response. While this mechanism is crucial for survival, constant stress can overwork your adrenal glands, leading to fatigue and other health issues. 

Adrenal glands give you energy  

Thank your adrenal glands every time you work out, jog, take the stairs, or run errands. They produce cortisol in the adrenal cortex, which regulates your metabolism. Cortisol helps convert fats, proteins, and carbohydrates into energy so you can function from day to day.  

Adrenal glands keep your blood pressure in check 

Aldosterone, another hormone produced in the adrenal cortex, helps control blood pressure by regulating the balance of sodium and potassium in your blood. An imbalance can lead to high or low blood pressure, affecting your heart health. 

What can go wrong with adrenal glands?  

Like any organ, your adrenal glands are susceptible to several impairments, disorders, and adrenal disease.  

Adrenal cancer is rare. Common symptoms include high blood sugar, weight loss, and abdominal pain. 

Tumors called adrenal incidentalomas usually do not cause any symptoms, but when they do, the most common are headaches, sweating, abdominal pain, and high blood pressure.  

Addison’s disease occurs when the adrenal glands do not produce enough cortisol and aldosterone. Symptoms include fatigue, muscle weakness, weight loss, and low blood pressure. It is a rare condition that requires lifelong treatment and management. 

Cushing's syndrome is characterized by an excess of cortisol in the body, distinguishing it from Addison’s disease. The condition manifests through symptoms such as weight gain, hypertension, and alterations in skin appearance. Treatment typically includes pharmacological interventions or surgical procedures aimed at eliminating the source of excess cortisol. 

Adrenal fatigue is a term used to describe symptoms like body aches, fatigue, nervousness, and sleep disturbances. It suggests that the adrenal glands are strained and may not adequately meet the body's demands. 

Our experienced specialists here will run various tests to check aldosterone, cortisol, DHEA sulfate, and bone density to determine the source and severity of your adrenal gland issues. Depending on what we find, we may recommend treatments that range from medication to radiation to surgery. If you have signs of an adrenal disorder, call us at Palmetto Endocrinology or request an appointment online. 

Author

Joseph Mathews, MD, FACP, FACE, ECNU, CCD Joseph W. Mathews M.D., a board certified Endocrinologist and Medical Director of Palmetto Endocrinology, was born and raised in South Carolina. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology from the College of Charleston, Cum Laude. He then achieved his M.D. at the Medical University of South Carolina where he also completed his residency in Internal Medicine and a Fellowship in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism. Dr. Mathews is also a Fellow of both the American College of Endocrinology and the American College of Physicians, holds an Endocrine Certification in Neck Ultrasound (ECNU) and is a Certified Clinical Densitometrist (CCD). He has extensive experience performing ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration biopsies. His practice includes a range of specializations including prescribing and fitting patients with insulin pumps. Dr. Mathews' practice has drawn patients from out of state to benefit from his expertise in thyroid disorders, diabetes, cortisol problems and their Endocrine disorders.