Pheochromocytoma
Above the kidneys are two yellowish- orange colored glands that are approximately two and half by one inch called the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands play a very important role in secreting hormones and protecting the body from stress. The adrenal glands are composed of two parts, the adrenal cortex and the adrenal medulla.
The adrenal cortex is the outer part of the adrenal gland that produces steroid hormones that regulate many different body functions. Not only that, but a hormone called aldosterone is produced by the adrenal cortex. This hormone regulates the amount of water and salt that is in a person’s body. The adrenal gland also has another part called the adrenal medulla which also has a significant role.
The adrenal medulla’s functions mainly deal with stress and frightening situations. It produces hormones known as catecholamines such as adrenaline and noradrenaline. Catecholamines deal with responding to acute or severe, sudden stress like in situations that are life threatening. Theses catecholamine hormones are responsible for the racing of the heart, known as palpations, sweating, the shakiness of the hands, and the widening of the eyes when a stressful situation occurs or when faced with sudden fear. When these glands begin to grow tumors called Pheochromocytoma.
Phechromocytoma is a rare tumor that is found on the adrenal glands that causes hyper secretion of hormones that control the heart rate, blood pressure, and metabolism called epinephrine and norepinephrine that results in intermittent or sustained hypertension. Pheochromocytoma most often occurs in young to middle- aged adults that are between the ages of 30 and 60. Out of the people who are affected, ten percent of them are children that develop symptoms between the ages of 6 and 14.
Many factors contribute to the cause of phechromocytoma. Environmental and genetic factors both play a role in most cases. Pheochromocytoma can occur either alone, or in combination with other
The adrenal cortex is the outer part of the adrenal gland that produces steroid hormones that regulate many different body functions. Not only that, but a hormone called aldosterone is produced by the adrenal cortex. This hormone regulates the amount of water and salt that is in a person’s body. The adrenal gland also has another part called the adrenal medulla which also has a significant role.
The adrenal medulla’s functions mainly deal with stress and frightening situations. It produces hormones known as catecholamines such as adrenaline and noradrenaline. Catecholamines deal with responding to acute or severe, sudden stress like in situations that are life threatening. Theses catecholamine hormones are responsible for the racing of the heart, known as palpations, sweating, the shakiness of the hands, and the widening of the eyes when a stressful situation occurs or when faced with sudden fear. When these glands begin to grow tumors called Pheochromocytoma.
Phechromocytoma is a rare tumor that is found on the adrenal glands that causes hyper secretion of hormones that control the heart rate, blood pressure, and metabolism called epinephrine and norepinephrine that results in intermittent or sustained hypertension. Pheochromocytoma most often occurs in young to middle- aged adults that are between the ages of 30 and 60. Out of the people who are affected, ten percent of them are children that develop symptoms between the ages of 6 and 14.
Many factors contribute to the cause of phechromocytoma. Environmental and genetic factors both play a role in most cases. Pheochromocytoma can occur either alone, or in combination with other