Some people develop a noncancerous growth (tumor) called an adenoma on an adrenal gland. Experts aren’t sure why these tumors develop.

There are different types of adrenal gland tumors:

• Nonfunctioning adrenal adenomas: Most adrenal adenomas are nonfunctioning or inactive. They don’t affect hormone levels or cause symptoms. You may find out you have this growth while undergoing imaging tests to check for a different issue. Nonfunctioning adrenal adenomas don’t require treatment.
• Functioning adrenal adenomas: These active tumors cause the adrenal glands to produce excess hormones. Functioning adrenal adenomas can cause conditions like Cushing syndrome and primary hyperaldosteronism. Most functioning adrenal adenomas require surgical removal.
• Pheochromocytoma: This rare tumor forms in an adrenal gland’s inner section (medulla), causing an overproduction of adrenaline. You may experience a rapid heart rate, fast breathing, dizziness and high blood pressure that doesn’t respond to medications. Most people need surgery to remove the tumor.

Adrenal insufficiency occurs when the adrenal glands don’t produce enough cortisol (hypocortisolism). Addison’s disease, or primary adrenal insufficiency, is a rare chronic condition that’s often associated with low aldosterone levels. An autoimmune attack on the adrenal glands is the primary cause of Addison’s disease. You are more likely to develop Addison’s disease if you have certain autoimmune disorders, such as Type 1 diabetes.

Secondary adrenal insufficiency is a related disorder that occurs when your pituitary gland (located at the base of your brain) doesn’t release enough adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). This hormone stimulates cortisol production in the adrenal glands.

Addison’s Disease Symptoms

Signs of Addison’s disease occur gradually and may not always be noticeable. Symptoms may include:

• Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
• Chronic fatigue or depression
• Dark skin patches
• Irregular periods or no menstruation
• Joint pain, muscle pain and muscle spasms
• Loss of appetite, cravings for salty foods and unintentional weight loss
• Low blood pressure that may cause dizziness

Addisonian Crisis (Acute Adrenal Failure) Symptoms

A stressful event, such as an injury or severe illness, can cause a life-threatening condition known as Addisonian crisis (acute adrenal failure). An Addisonian crisis is a medical emergency.

Call 911 immediately if you experience these signs of Addisonian crisis:

• Dizziness and confusion
• Extreme weakness
• Loss of consciousness
• Low blood pressure
• Nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain
• Sudden pain in the low back or legs

Cushing syndrome occurs when your body’s cortisol levels are too high for an extended period of time (hypercortisolism). A benign (noncancerous) tumor on your pituitary gland (pituitary adenoma) can cause your body to make too much adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). As a result, the adrenal glands make too much cortisol.

Other causes of Cushing syndrome include:

• Adrenal gland tumor (adrenal adenoma)
• Regular use of glucocorticoid medications to treat inflammatory diseases like asthma, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.

Cushing Syndrome Symptoms

Signs of Cushing syndrome include:

• Excess facial and body hair
• Fatty hump on the back of your neck or between your shoulders
• Muscle weakness
• Round face (sometimes called moon face)
• Thin skin that easily bruises

Hyperaldosteronism occurs when the adrenal glands make too much aldosterone. There are two types:

• Primary hyperaldosteronism (Conn’s syndrome): Caused by overactive adrenal glands or a noncancerous adrenal gland tumor (adrenal adenoma)
• Secondary hyperaldosteronism: Caused by a non-gland issue, such as reduced blood flow to the kidneys

Hyperaldosteronism Symptoms

The most common symptoms of hyperaldosteronism are high blood pressure (hypertension) and low potassium levels. You may also experience:

• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Muscle cramps, weakness or tingling
• Vision changes