It is the hormone that triggers the fight-or-flight response.
Adrenaline prepares the body to either fight or flee from danger by increasing blood circulation and breathing.
While this response is crucial to survival, over-exposure to adrenaline can be damaging to a person’s health.
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When this occurs, the release of glucose into the bloodstream can accumulate rather than being burned off.
This can cause symptoms like restlessness and irritability.
There may also be dizziness, lightheadedness, vision changes, sweating, and a pounding heart.
Producing too little adrenaline also has health consequences.
These conditions either directly or indirectly affect the adrenal glands.
It is the result of the adrenal glands producing too little (or no) hormones.
There are two types of adrenal insufficiency, referred to asAddison’s diseaseand secondary adrenal insufficiency.
Causes include:
The symptoms of Addison’s disease and secondary adrenal insufficiency are similar.
These are uncommon with secondary adrenal insufficiency.
Adrenal insufficiency can sometimes become severe and lead to a potentially life-threatening condition known as anadrenal crisis.
An adrenal crisis is a medical emergency that can lead to coma and death if not treated immediately.
Treating Adrenal Gland Disorders
The treatment of adrenal hypersecretion and adrenal insufficiency varies by the underlying cause.
The treatment may involve lifestyle changes, medications, and, in some cases, surgery.
Hormonal disorders are commonly treated by anendocrinologist, a physician who specializes in disorders of theendocrine system.
If the cause is a pituitary tumor, your healthcare provider will likely recommendsurgical removal of the pituitary gland.
Adrenal Gland Tumors
It is recommended that most tumors, regardless of size, be surgically removed.
Treatment of obstructive sleep apnea includes weight loss.
Addison’s Disease
Addison’s disease is typically treated with hormone replacement therapy.
Medical Uses for Adrenaline
Epinephrine is often used to treat life-threatening medical conditions.
Over time, adrenaline levels that stay too high or too long can cause serious health problems.
The treatment can vary by the diagnosed cause.
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