Causes, Symptoms and Treatment for Enlarged Adrenal Glands

There are two adrenal glands in our body, and both are settled just above the kidneys. Adrenal glands belong to the endocrine system and secrete hormones that regulate the levels of stress. These glands do not function alone and work hand in hand with the hypothalamus and pituitary glands. Enlarged adrenal glands can develop, among other things, due to a hormonal imbalance. There are a number of conditions that may be possible causes for adrenal imbalance. Addison’s disease, or adrenal insufficiency, is, for example, a condition that develops when the adrenal gland is not able to produce the sufficient amounts of cortisol and aldosterone.

Other Adrenal Gland Disorders

Amyloidosis is another possible cause for adrenal gland imbalance. The reason for the development of this condition is the dysfunction of bone marrow cells. They are unable to break, which leads to enlarged adrenal glands. Chronic infections, such as pneumonia and bronchitis, are other possible causes of adrenal disorder manifested in swelling and enlargement. Cushing's syndrome occurs when there is a high level of cortisol in the body. It is generally associated with benign tumors of the adrenal glands. Phaeochromocytoma is a tumor that begins to form in the adrenal gland, resulting in its enlargement.

Symptoms

As one cannot prevent the body from developing an enlarged adrenal gland, the best thing he or she can do is to recognize the symptoms and start the treatment in the early stages so that the outcome will be a full recovery. The tests that can detect enlarged adrenal glands include a MRI scan, CT scan, ultrasound, or MIBG scan. The most frequent symptoms include adrenal adenoma and carcinoma, adrenogenital syndrome, increased adrenalin level, increased noradrenalin level, and high adrenal autoantibodies. It is not an easy task to recognize these medical issues, and a lot of tests are required in order to diagnose them. For this reason, it would be best to visit a doctor whose specialty is in adrenal glands.

Treatment for Enlarged Adrenal Gland

The method of treatment depends upon the severity of the disorder. Consequently, there is not a unique method of treatment. It depends on the doctor’s evaluation and judgment as to the kind of treatment that will be implemented, and it is also necessary to take into consideration the patient`s medical history.