What Are Adrenal Insufficiency Symptoms?
The adrenal glands are positioned above the kidneys in the human body, and they produce hormones that are necessary for the response to a stressful or emergency situation, namely cortisol and aldosterone. In certain cases, the adrenal glands can stop functioning properly and not produce enough of these hormones, such as in autoimmune disease, tumors, trauma, infection, or for unknown reasons. The lack of these hormones causes a condition known as adrenal insufficiency, and adrenal insufficiency symptoms can involve anything from gastrointestinal problems to psychological issues to life-threateningly low blood pressure. This rare and potentially very serious disorder occurs in less than one-half of a percent of the population. The incidence of this condition is highest in middle-aged females. Adrenal insufficiency can occur in people of all ages, however, including children.
