Adrenal glands (Click to select text)

Adrenal Gland Bircan Dogan 9D Task 1 My assignment is about the adrenal gland. The adrenal gland is a compound organ situated on the top of each kidney. It consists of an outer cortex and an inner medulla. 25mm wide, 50mm long, 5mm thick Diagram of the adrenal glands The adrenal gland releases the hormones adrenaline (epinephrine), noradrenaline (norepinephrine), steroid hormones and others, which are released into the bloodstream and act like hormones. The Chromaffin tissue secretes adrenalin and noradrenaline. The steroid hormones come from the adrenal cortex, with stores 2 hormones that are of particular importance. The Mineralocorticoid (aldosterone) and Glucocorticoid (cortisol) hormones. Adrenaline affects many different types of tissues throughout the body. The release of adrenaline prevents hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), by binding adrenergic receptors in the hormone releasing cells of the pancreas. Epinephrine is called the “fight” or “flight” hormone. The actions of epinephrine and norepinephrine are generally similar, although they differ from each other in their effects. Norepinephrine constricts almost all blood vessels. Norepinephrine is formed by intravenous infusion to combat the fall in blood pressure associated with types of shock. Norepinephrine is formed in the body from the amino acid tyrosine, and epinephrine is formed from norepinephrine. Mineralocorticoids steroids control the overall body fluid. Mineralocorticoids are critical to regulate concentrations of minerals in extracellular fluids. The major target of aldosterone is the distal tubule of the kidneys. There it stimulates the exchange of sodium and potassium. It reaches the target goal by the distal tubule of the kidneys. Glucocorticoids are used as anti-inflammatory agents. Glucocorticiods are used widely as drugs. Excessive Glucocorticiods levels result from drugs or hyperadrenocorticism have side effects on many systems. There seems to be no cells that lack glucocorticoid receptors, but as the consequence has a huge impact on the physiologic system. Glucocorticiods travel through the bloodstream to reach their target. Yes there is a negative Feedback system operating. Task 2 Dear John, After your previous visit to the Health Institute, the test you under took was life threatening. Your Adrenal glands located just above your kidneys have an insufficiency called Addison’s disease. Adrenal disorders are very rare are those who have them are very unfortunate. Addison’s disease, if undiagnosed, leads to death. This disease still puzzles us greatly, but I assure you one thing. The gradual destruction of the adrenal cortex, the outer layer of the adrenal glands cause most cases of Addison’s disease, by the body’s own immune system. About 70 percent of reported cases of Addison\\\'s disease are due to autoimmune disorders, in which the immune system makes antibodies that attack the body\\\'s own tissues or organs and slowly destroy them. Adrenal insufficiency occurs when at least 90 percent of the adrenal cortex has been destroyed. As a result, often both glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid hormones are lacking. The symptoms of adrenal insufficiency usually begin gradually. Chronic, worsening fatigue and muscle weakness, loss of appetite, and weight loss are characteristic of the disease. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea occur in about 50 percent of cases. Blood pressure is low and falls further when standing, causing dizziness or fainting. Skin changes also are common in Addison\\\'s disease, with areas of hyperpigmentation, or dark tanning, covering exposed and non-exposed parts of the body. This darkening of the skin is most visible on scars; skin folds; pressure points such as the elbows, knees, knuckles, and toes; lips; and mucous membranes. Addison\\\'s disease can cause irritability and depression. Because of salt loss, craving of salty foods also is common. Hypoglycaemia, or low blood sugar, is more severe in children than in adults. In women, menstrual periods may become irregular or stop. Because the symptoms progress slowly, they are usually ignored until a stressful event like an illness or an accident causes them to become worse. This is called an addisonian crisis, or acute adrenal insufficiency. In most patients, symptoms are severe enough to seek medical treatment before a crisis occurs. However, in about 25 percent of patients, symptoms first appear during an addisonian crisis. Symptoms of an addisonian crisis include sudden penetrating pain in the lower back, abdomen (or legs), severe vomiting and diarrhoea, followed by dehydration. Low blood pressure and loss of consciousness left untreated, an addisonian crisis can be fatal. In its early stages, adrenal insufficiency can be difficult to diagnose. A review of a patient\\\'s medical history based on the symptoms, especially the dark tanning of the skin, will lead a doctor to suspect Addison\\\'s disease. Treatment of Addison\\\'s disease involves replacing, or substituting, the hormones that the adrenal glands are not making. Cortisol is replaced orally with hydrocortisone tablets, a synthetic glucocorticoid, taken once or twice a day. If aldosterone is also deficient, it is replaced with oral doses of a mineralocorticoid, called fludrocortisone acetate (Florinef)), which is taken once a day. Patients receiving aldosterone replacement therapy are usually advised by a doctor to increase their salt intake. Because patients with secondary adrenal insufficiency normally maintain aldosterone production, they do not require aldosterone replacement therapy. The doses of each of these medications are adjusted to meet the needs of individual patients. During an addisonian crisis, low blood pressure, low blood sugar, and high levels of potassium can be life threatening. Therapy involves intravenous injections of hydrocortisone, saline (salt water), and dextrose (sugar). This treatment brings great improvement. When the patient can take fluids and medications by mouth, the amount of hydrocortisone is decreased until a maintenance dose is achieved. If aldosterone is deficient, maintenance therapy also includes doses of fludrocortisone acetate. Long-term prognosis is best achieved by giving lots cortisol every day. In addition, Florinef should be given in a small dosage daily. It is important to notice that mineralocorticoid treatment will be effective only if salt is taken in rapidly. In growing children, it is important that the dose of steroid be measured carefully. Growth retardation is a very sensitive part of glucocorticoid excess and can occur in the appearance in virtual obesity, glucose intolerance, or other signs of Cushing\\\'s syndrome. In the event of unusual stress, hormone dosages must be doubled until recovery. Doctor ..... .........