Adrenal glands Diseases

Adrenal gland disorders (or diseases) are conditions that interfere with the normal functioning of the adrenal glands. The body produces too much or too little of one or more hormones when one has an adrenal gland dysfunction. The underlying cause and the degree to which it affects hormone levels determine the severity of symptoms. The adrenal gland produces hormones that affects growth, development and stress, and also helps to regulate kidney function. There are two parts of the adrenal glands, the adrenal cortex and the adrenal medulla. The adrenal cortex produces mineralocorticoids, which regulate salt and water balance within the body, glucocorticoids (including cortisol) which have a wide number of roles within the body, and androgens, hormones with testosterone-like function. The adrenal medulla produces epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (noradrenaline).