Adrenal hormones and their effect on the female body

The adrenal glands play a critical role in hormonal regulation of the body. If a woman is diagnosed with a severe pathology of the adrenal glands, then it is likely that the patient will be on hormone replacement therapy for the rest of her life, and will even be registered as “disabled due to a general disease.”

Unfortunately, nowadays it is becoming increasingly difficult to get to an endocrinologist. The notorious “optimization of healthcare” has led to the fact that the clinic physician has turned into a “distributor of coupons” to specialized specialists. He fills out a lot of paperwork, does medical examinations, and often simply cannot take the time to collect the necessary symptoms.

Therefore, there is a need for every person to have the minimum necessary knowledge in order to simply figure out which specialist they need to sign up for at a paid medical center, so as not to pay twice. Today we’ll talk about the adrenal glands: how they work, why they exist, and what symptoms of their damage occur in women.

What are prebiotics and probiotics for the gut?

Probiotics are live microorganisms that can be included in food products, for example, yogurt and kefir, medicines or dietary supplements. Their main task is to normalize the intestinal microflora, destroying bad bacteria.

Prebiotics are substances that are needed for the growth and development of good bacteria. If there are a lot of prebiotics in the body, beneficial bacteria feel comfortable and protect you from negative environmental factors.

The list of foods with prebiotics is long. These components are found in large quantities in fruits (bananas), vegetables (onions, corn, garlic, beans, peas), as well as in dairy products, bran and cereals.

Prebiotics include organic compounds:

oligofructose;
inulin;
apple pectin;
calcium pantothenate;
lactulose;
dietary fiber (fiber);
algae extracts;
glutamic acid;
carotenoids.

When choosing probiotic yogurts in the store, pay attention to the number of lactic acid bacteria. In a high-quality drink there will be at least 10 7 CFU per 1 gram of product.

Structure

The adrenal glands are a paired organ that produces hormones to regulate the functioning of the body's main systems.

Shape and size of the adrenal glands: width - up to 3-4 cm, length - 5-6 cm, no more than 1 cm thick, the left adrenal gland is crescent-shaped and slightly larger than the right, which looks like a triangular pyramid. Their average weight is 7-10 g.

How are the adrenal glands arranged? Anatomy of the adrenal glands: lateral and medial legs, body. The main components of the adrenal body are the cortex and medulla. The work of the cortex is coordinated by hormones of the endocrine system produced by the pituitary gland.

The structure of the glands is layered:

Fat capsule	Separate layer	It is not part of the gland, but performs a protective function.
Cortex	Synthesize different hormones and perform different functions	The outer layer is the majority of the gland (80% of the mass).
Brain matter		The inner layer (middle) which is surrounded by the cortex.

Each layer has anatomical, functional and structural differences, as a result of which the cortical cells produce different hormones: mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids and corticosteroids. In the absence of functional failures, the cortex synthesizes about 30-40 mg of hormones per day.

The adrenal cortex consists of three parts (zones, layers): glomerular, fascicular and reticular. This zoning can only be observed under a microscope.

The zona glomerulosa is represented by rectangular cells that are connected into arches (glomeruli). This zone is the main site of synthesis of mineralocorticoids (aldosterone), which regulate blood pressure in the body.

The fascicular zone is the widest zone. This layer is made up of light and long multifaceted (cubic) cells, which are located perpendicular to the surface of the organ and form bundles.

Steroid hormones (glucocorticoids) are synthesized here: cortisol, corticosterone, 11-deoxycorticosterone. Cortisol is the main glucocorticoid that coordinates metabolism. Cortisol also activates other hormones (catecholamine and glucagon).

The reticular zone is the middle part of the cortex, which is represented by endocrinocytes forming the mesh. Androgens are produced here: DHEA sulfate, dehydroepiandrosterone, androstenedione (converted to testosterone).

The medulla is the central part of the gland, consisting of large chromaffin cells. These cells synthesize catecholamines: norepinephrine (80%) and adrenaline (20%).

In case of a threat to the body, catecholamines activate a protective reaction. The activation reaction is triggered after receiving a signal along the nerve endings of the spinal cord. Cortisol, synthesized by the cortex, also takes part in this process.

The role of pro- and prebiotics in the body

The main function of the intestines is to protect the body, which is impossible without good bacteria. This organ protects a person from poisoning, infections and eating disorders. Each organism has an individual intestinal microclimate - a community of bacteria that interact with each other and control everything that gets inside.

If harmful bacteria or other irritants enter the intestines, prebiotics and probiotics eliminate them, improving internal processes.

They supply the body with energy, biologically active substances, vitamins, regulate the digestion process and produce vitamin K, necessary for blood clotting. Due to stress, serious illness or treatment with antibiotics, bad bacteria penetrate the intestines and multiply, fighting the microflora. As a result of this struggle, there are fewer good bacteria, which affects your condition: the stomach begins to growl, flatulence appears, the digestion process is disrupted, which leads to nausea, diarrhea, or, conversely, constipation.

This greatly affects your immunity: it weakens and cannot fully protect against viruses coming from the outside, so you get sick more often.

Diseases

When the production of hormones by the adrenal glands is disrupted, symptoms usually do not appear immediately, but develop gradually. The main signs of hormone imbalance are considered to be:

decreased blood pressure;
muscle weakness;
regular fatigue;
frequent irritability;
nausea and constant urge to vomit;
instability of night rest (sleep);
darkening of the skin in certain areas of the body (near the nipples, on the elbows);
dark color of mucous membranes.

It is these symptoms that may indicate dysfunction of the adrenal glands and the emergence of diseases associated with the activity of this organ.

There are many diseases associated with improper functioning of the adrenal glands, such as:

Addison's disease

This disease occurs due to chronic deficiency of organ hormones. As a result of the development of the disease, organ tissue begins to deteriorate, and a decrease in the production of the hormone cortisol is observed. This disease is popularly called “Bronze Disease”. The occurrence of bronze disease is promoted by:

autoimmune diseases;
adrenal tuberculosis;
poor performance of the endocrine system;
the effect of certain chemicals on the body.

Symptoms of bronze disease manifest themselves in the form of frequent colds, refusal to eat, weakness and general fatigue of the body, tachycardia, hypotension, tremors of the limbs, and dyspeptic disorders. Also, the sick person is constantly tormented by thirst, in women the menstrual cycle is disrupted, and it becomes difficult for the patient to be in the sun. Manifestations of increased pigmentation are observed on the skin; the skin in certain areas of the body becomes dark brown. This is where the name bronze disease comes from.

Itsenko-Cushing's disease

With this disease, the adrenal glands begin to synthesize too much cortisol. The syndrome can often be observed in females; the age of patients ranges from 20 to 45 years. Symptoms of the disease:

regular depressive states;
weakness, fatigue;
the appearance of adipose tissue in the neck, abdomen and face;
moon-like face;
weak muscle tone;
disturbance or complete cessation of menstruation;
male stubble appears on the face, increased hair growth occurs on the arms and legs;
poor circulation, as a result of which the capillaries become fragile, bruises appear on the body and face.

Patients are constantly depressed and often contemplate suicide. In rare cases, diabetes mellitus (steroid diabetes) may develop, in which the pancreas remains unchanged.

Nelson's syndrome

It occurs mainly after surgery to remove the adrenal glands due to Itsenko-Cushing syndrome. Signs of the disease are characterized by frequent headaches, decreased taste buds, decreased vision, and increased pigmentation of the skin.

Hyperplasia of the adrenal cortex

Due to the increased production of androgens (male hormones), women develop male sexual characteristics: growth of stubble, roughness of voice. In teenage girls, menstruation begins late, acne appears on the skin, and hyperpigmentation is observed in the external genital area.

Inflammatory processes of the adrenal glands

The development of inflammation is mainly promoted by tuberculosis of the organ, as a result of damage to the adrenal cortex. The course of the disease is very slow, manifested by incessant headaches and constant fatigue. Vomiting and bad breath may occur.

Cyst

It is a mostly benign tumor of the adrenal glands. The disease occurs rarely and is dangerous only when it degenerates into a malignant tumor. Rupture of an adrenal cyst is also considered dangerous. The cyst is very poorly diagnosed due to its small size. Only when it begins to grow can this disease be diagnosed. Cyst symptoms:

adrenal glands are enlarged;
pain in the back, lower back and sides;
kidney function is impaired;
change in blood pressure as a result of compression of the renal artery.

Adrenal tuberculosis

A very rare disease characterized by the accumulation of calcification in the adrenal glands. It occurs mainly in teenagers and young children. It develops due to the entry of pathogenic bacteria from the lungs, mainly through the bloodstream. Symptoms of the disease:

dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract;
hypotension;
hypoglycemia;
weakness of the body;
nausea with bouts of vomiting;
diarrhea;
dystrophy of the heart muscle.

Pros and cons of probiotics and prebiotics

In recent years, the topic of restoring microflora with probiotics and prebiotics has become very popular, so many nutritionists and adherents of a healthy lifestyle are confident in their benefits. Many people take drugs in capsules, powders, and “live” yoghurts to eliminate dysbiosis, strengthen the immune system and cleanse the liver.

However, there are those who are skeptical about probiotics and prebiotics. They are confident that the diagnosis of “dysbacteriosis” is a myth, and tests to determine it are a simple marketing ploy, since the ratio of bacteria “out” is not related to what lives inside a person. Skeptics do not consider it necessary to help the intestines, since they can easily recover naturally, and the effectiveness of good bacteria has not been proven.

The third camp understands the benefits of pro- and prebiotics, but is not sure that they reach the intestines. People argue that most of these bacteria are killed by hydrochloric acid, so there is no point in spending money on products containing them.

Which doctor treats adrenal glands?

Which doctor should I contact?

Since the adrenal glands are an endocrine organ, even if a hormonally inactive tumor has arisen, this must be proven.

Therefore, a doctor is needed - an endocrinologist who will conduct relevant studies, tests, determine the level of hormones in the blood and the symptoms caused by them. In some cases (for example, with hormonally inactive tumors that are not growing), no treatment is needed, but simple observation by an endocrinologist.

If the need for surgical intervention is confirmed, the patient is transferred to the department of pure surgery (from the department of endocrinology), and in the presence of a malignant tumor, an endocrinologist and a surgeon-oncologist or a radiation therapy specialist are jointly treated.

When you need beneficial bacteria

Probiotics help normalize intestinal function, and prebiotics (fiber) speed up the passage of food and its digestion in the intestines.

Probiotics are prescribed for irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory diseases, diverticular disease, and for the prevention of antibiotic-associated colitis they can be used together with antibiotics on the recommendation of a doctor.

Be careful: self-medication not only will not solve the problem, but can also harm the body. Prebiotics are contraindicated in cases of intestinal stenosis, such as Crohn's disease, and an allergic reaction may occur to probiotics.

Many people try to stop diarrhea with probiotics. It is important to establish the cause of the disorder, otherwise you may miss the onset of a serious illness. In addition, each bacteria has its own “specialization”. For example, lactobacilli suppress putrefactive processes in the intestines and stimulate the immune system. However, without a doctor’s recommendation, it is not worth treating diseases with them: the effectiveness of certain microorganisms has been proven, and some bacteria are only being studied by specialists.

Also, microorganisms that inhabit the intestines secrete gamma-aminobutyric acid, which affects your mood. When the microbalance is normal, your mood improves and stress goes away.

Evidence-based effectiveness

Abroad, the manufacturer is required to prove the effectiveness of its products. For example, if beneficial bacteria have been added to a new yogurt, this does not mean that the product is healthy. In Russia, the law does not oblige manufacturers to conduct serious research, but there must be an evidence base.

For example, a well-known food manufacturer conducted double-blind, placebo-controlled studies involving 600 people. One part of the experiment participants drank a “pacifier”, and the second part drank a lactic acid product with a probiotic. When the study ended, an independent organization compared the participants' medical histories and found that people who consumed the probiotic product had less illness. So probiotics do strengthen the immune system and can speed up the healing process, but their effectiveness and safety in a specific product must be proven.

Treatment

The effectiveness of treatment depends on the diagnosis, which determines the dysfunction of the adrenal glands. It is important to find out what caused the disease and how much the functionality of the organ is reduced.

During medication therapy, it is important to normalize hormonal imbalances; for this purpose, synthetic hormones are used. Also, along with hormones, vitamin complexes, antiviral and antibacterial drugs are prescribed.

If taking medications does not produce the desired result in treatment, the patient may be offered to undergo surgery to remove the adrenal glands (one or both at once). The operation is carried out in 2 ways:

Abdominal surgery is a standard surgical procedure, after which the patient undergoes a long rehabilitation.
Endoscopic is a modern method in which several small incisions are made. This operation is carried out using special equipment and is much easier and faster for the patient. The rehabilitation period is much shorter than that of abdominal surgery. The disadvantages of this operation include such nuances as the high cost of the procedure and the intervention being performed only by an experienced and qualified surgeon.

Requirements for probiotic products

One of the main requirements for probiotic products is the survival of the probiotic strain in the gastrointestinal tract, as well as in the finished product throughout the entire shelf life.

For such control, modern production facilities operate research centers and laboratories. Their main task is to select probiotic bacteria and study their properties. Some large production facilities have microbiological laboratories in which about 4,000 different strains have been collected. They determine which prebiotics and probiotics are better and more effective.

Blood analysis

The functionality of the entire body depends on the full functioning of these small glands. A blood test for adrenal hormones can be prescribed by different doctors:

oncologist;
gynecologist;
therapist;
endocrinologist;
urologist;
cardiologist.

Depending on the clinical picture, the doctor prescribes a laboratory test to determine the concentration of a specific hormone. To obtain reliable analysis results, preliminary preparation is required. A few examples:

To test for aldosterone, you need to reduce your carbohydrate intake within two weeks;
Before donating blood for cortisol, hormonal medications are canceled, physical activity is excluded, and smoking is prohibited;
To determine catecholamines, coffee, strong tea, cheese, and bananas are excluded from the diet before blood sampling.

The use of folk remedies

Treating the adrenal glands with herbs is possible only under the strict supervision of the attending physician. Grandmother's therapy is a good complement to drug treatment.

Table 7. The most effective herbs.

Means	How does it help?	How to cook?	How to use?	How many times to apply (24 hours)?
Snowdrops.	The product is recommended for use for symptoms of Addison's disease.	4 tablespoons of flowers are combined with 500 ml of honey.alcohol. The product is used after 40 days of infusion.	Inside, 22 drops. Can be mixed with honey.	3
Black currant.	Normalization of adrenal functions.	To prepare the product you need fresh leaves of the plant. 1.5 tablespoons of the product are mixed with 400 ml of boiled liquid. After steeping for 240 minutes, the broth is well filtered.	2/2 cup.	4
Field horsetail.	Addison's disease.	10 grams of herb is mixed with 160 ml of very cool boiling water, infused for 12 minutes, filtered.	1 glass.	2-3
Burdock.	Adrenal cyst.	Fresh leaves of the plant are used. They need to be thoroughly chopped using a meat grinder or blender and squeezed out the juice.	20-25 ml.	2-4
Geranium.	The infusion helps stimulate hormonal synthesis.	10 grams of product is mixed with 150-160 ml of boiled liquid and left for 30-35 minutes. Then the infusion is well filtered and cooled.	½ cup.	2
Lungwort.	The decoction helps reduce the production of hormones by the adrenal glands.	3 tablespoons are combined with 1000 ml of well-boiled liquid. After 4-12 minutes, the product is thoroughly filtered and cooled.	1 glass.	4

Addison's disease

This pathology is quite rare compared to other diseases of the adrenal glands. The disease and its symptoms develop for a number of reasons:

hereditary factors;
damage to the adrenal cortex by toxic substances;
infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis.

Symptoms of the disease

This disease is characterized by a number of characteristic symptoms:

increased fatigue, decreased performance;
heart rhythm disturbances;
lowering blood pressure;
female sex hormones decrease;
lack of sexual desire.

Treatment is prescribed by an endocrinologist, and hormonal levels are corrected.

Prevention methods

It is possible to prevent diseases of the adrenal gland, despite the fact that there are no specifically developed measures to prevent dysfunction of the organs. Main:

promptly treat identified foci of infection;
avoid stressful situations, worries and psycho-emotional stress;
adhere to the basics of healthy eating;
rest regularly;
undergo medical examination periodically.

It is worth noting that only contacting professional doctors at the first signs of illness can give a high chance of recovery and guarantee a good prognosis for recovery.