The adrenal glands are a pair of triangle shaped organs
that rest on top of the kidneys. The glands are made up
of two parts, the cortex or outer section, which produces
cortisone, and the medulla or center section, which secretes
adrenaline.
In addition
to producing cortisone, the adrenal cortex also helps to
maintain the salt and water balance in the body, and is
involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates and the regulation
of blood sugar.
The adrenal
medulla produces adrenaline, also known as the hormone epinephrine,
when the body is under stress. This hormone speeds up the
metabolism and produces other changes within the body that
assist in coping with danger.
Reduced
adrenal function may appear with the following symptoms:
allergies, blood sugar disorders, dizziness, food cravings,
headaches, memory problems and weakness.
Some of
the causes of improper functioning of the adrenal glands
are: extensive use of cortisone therapy for nonendocrine
diseases such as asthma and arthritis, poor nutritional
habits, smoking, alcohol and drug use, pituitary disease
and tuberculosis.
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