Pheochromocytoma: Usually benign, pheochromocytoma refers to a rare tumor of the medulla that secretes excessive amounts of the hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine, resulting in high blood pressure.

Muscle weakness (especially in the legs).

It leads to potassium loss and increased sodium reabsorption by the kidneys.

The condition results from a benign tumor of the adrenal gland and occurs more frequently in women than men.

Exceedingly rare, most cases occur in women, ages 30 to 50. The overproduction of aldosterone leads to hypertension. Hyperaldosteronism: The disorder, hyperaldosteronism, is defined by the body's overproduction of aldosterone, a hormone that controls sodium and potassium levels in the blood. Some kinds of tumors produce a hormone that can cause your body to make too much cortisol. Sometimes, taking synthetic hormone medicine to treat an inflammatory disease leads to Cushing's. The cause is long-term exposure to too much cortisol, a hormone that your adrenal gland makes. Some symptoms areĬushing's Syndrome: Cushing's syndrome is a hormonal disorder. When they occur, however, these tumors may secrete excess amounts of cortisol or other adrenal products.

Stomach pains and occasionally nausea and vomitingĬancer of the adrenal gland: Also characterized by overproduction of hormones, adrenal gland cancers are very rare afflicting only one or two per one million people.

When aldosterone levels drop too low, your kidneys cannot keep your salt and water levels in balance. Aldosterone helps your kidneys regulate the amount of salt and water in your body - the main way you regulate blood volume and keep your blood pressure under control. It also helps regulate your body's use of protein, carbohydrates, and fat helps maintain blood pressure and cardiovascular function and controls inflammation. Cortisol's most important function is to help the body respond to stress. That's why doctors sometimes call the illness ''chronic adrenal insufficiency,'' or hypocortisolism. The cortex also secretes male sex hormones as well as mineralocorticoids that control blood pressure and the levels of salt and potassium in the body.Īddison's Disease: The adrenal glands don't make enough of a hormone called cortisol, or less often, a related hormone called aldosterone. The outer part (adrenal cortex) secretes many different hormones that control the use of fats, proteins and carbohydrates in the body.

The inner part (adrenal medulla) of the adrenal glands secretes hormones such as adrenaline that affect blood pressure, heart rate and sweating. Located on top of both kidneys, the adrenal glands are triangular-shaped and measure approximately half an inch in height and three inches in length. When functioning correctly, they produce various hormones that trigger chemical activity in every system. The adrenal glands are responsible for many processes in the body.

Secretes cortisol and aldosterone