Index
Being in a stressful situation can lead to the heart to beat strongly and generates a great need to escape, this is the body’s natural response to danger or threat.
This response is generated by a hormone called adrenaline.
What is adrenaline?
It is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands, which are located in the upper part of the kidneys.
Adrenaline, also known as epinephrine , can be used for medical purposes. Doctors use this hormone to treat cardiac arrest, anaphylaxis, and superficial bleeding.
The hormone is necessary to maintain a healthy cardiovascular system, because it makes the heart beat harder and diverts blood to tissues during times of stress.
Epinephrine is classified as a catecholamine hormone. Catecholamines are a type of hormone produced by the inner part of the adrenal gland called the medulla.
Emotions like fear, stress, or anger can trigger the release of adrenaline.
Also, when the hormone enters the bloodstream, the following systems will increase:
- Heart rate.
- Cardiac output.
- Blood pressure.
- Sugar metabolism.
The above answers help prepare the body for a fight or flight reaction, so that the body is activated for rapid and strenuous activity.
What is the fight or flight response?
It is a physiological reaction that occurs in response to a detected dangerous event, attack or threat of survival.
Threats are reacted to by a discharge from the sympathetic nervous system, preparing individuals to flee or fight.
This reaction prepares the body for strenuous activity such as running or screaming.
Role of adrenaline as a medication
In medicine, adrenaline is used primarily as:
- A stimulant in cardiac arrest.
- A vasoconstrictor in shock.
- A bronchodilator and antispasmodic in bronchial asthma.
- A treatment for the life-threatening condition called anaphylaxis.
Epinephrine is found in small amounts in the body, and it is essential for maintaining cardiovascular homeostasis due to its ability to divert blood to stressed tissues.
For each of the above conditions, adrenaline is activated in different ways.
Heart attack
During cardiac arrest, the highest priority is to maximize the amount of blood flow through the coronary artery.
Epinephrine, when injected into an intravenous fluid solution, will increase the pressure in the coronary artery, thereby promoting increased coronary blood flow.
Increasing the doses of adrenaline accelerates the response, but some studies have shown that brain and heart damage are some of the side effects of this hormone.
State of shock
Anaphylactic shock occurs whenever the heart cannot pump enough blood throughout the body due to an allergic reaction, weakening of the muscle, or narrowing of the veins.
Injecting adrenaline into the bloodstream will cause increased blood flow throughout the body.
Relief is only temporary due to the short duration of adrenaline; therefore, immediate hospitalization is required to ensure the individual’s safety.
Bronchial asthma
People who are prone to asthma attacks have lung passages that are more susceptible to inflammation and swelling.
The swelling causes constriction of the muscles around the airway tubes and an increase in mucus.
The combination of the three symptoms above leads to shortness of breath, coughing, or wheezing common to asthma sufferers.
When inhaled in small doses, adrenaline causes short-term relief of symptoms by widening the bronchial tubes allowing air to pass through.
Again, adrenaline is not the best cure, but a temporary relief when there is no asthma inhaler.
Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction characterized by a drop in blood pressure and a narrowing or swelling of the airways.
It can be caused by food, medicine, latex, insect bites, and many other triggers, depending on a person’s sensitivity.
Adrenaline is the first treatment for anaphylaxis. By prescription, it comes as a single dose in an autoinjector.
Allergists recommend carrying an adrenaline autoinjector for severe allergies of almost any kind.
Carrying one is especially important if the person:
- You have had a previous anaphylactic reaction.
- You have food allergies and asthma.
- You are allergic to peanuts, tree nuts, fish, or shellfish.
If you’re unsure about the severity of your allergies, your doctor can take a thorough medical history and perform blood and skin tests to find out.
The drug is injected into the thigh muscles during an anaphylactic reaction.
People with severe allergies should know how to inject adrenaline, as should their family members or the people they spend time with regularly.
It is necessary to consult with an allergist or immunologist about the application of adrenaline, it is recommended that the instructions are followed by both the patient and their relatives.
Regarding the injection, it is necessary for the person with an allergy to keep the product close at all times.
The effects of this medicine are quick but not long lasting. After injecting adrenaline, you need to get medical help immediately.
Injecting this medication into your hands, feet, buttocks, or areas of the body other than the thigh should not be avoided.If this occurs, the healthcare professional should be informed immediately.
The solution in this product should be clear. If it has turned pink or brown, it should not be used.
It is important to note that other medications, such as antihistamines, do not reverse the swelling of the airways or increase low blood pressure, so they will not help during anaphylaxis.
Related conditions
The following health conditions are related to adrenaline levels:
Addison’s disease: is a severe or total deficiency of the hormones produced by the adrenal glands, which include adrenaline, cortisol, and aldosterone.
Adrenal tumors: some called pheochromocytomas, can cause excessive production of adrenal hormones.
In the case of pheochromocytoma, the hormones produced are adrenaline and norepinephrine.
This excessive adrenaline secretion can lead to a dangerous and serious rise in blood pressure.
How does it work?
As mentioned, adrenaline is the hormone responsible for the body’s response in situations where survival is crucial.
This reaction causes the air passages to get larger, giving the muscles more oxygen to fight or flee.
It also causes blood vessels to constrict so blood can be transported to the main organs of the body, such as the heart and lungs.
A person’s pain tolerance is also increased thanks to adrenaline, a reason why an individual can run or fight even after being injured.
It also causes a noticeable increase in strength, speed, and performance, as well as increased awareness, especially during stressful times.
Adrenaline is formed in the body from tyrosine through a four-step process:
- Tyrosine is hydroxylated to L-DOPA by tyrosine hydroxylase.
- L-DOPA is decarboxylated to dopamine.
- A second hydroxylation produces norepinephrine.
- Methylation of the amino group of norepinephrine produces adrenaline.
Side effects
Common side effects of adrenaline include:
- Anxiety.
- Restlessness.
- Dizziness.
- Instability.
- Blurry vision.
To help assess the risk of serious side effects, be sure to tell the allergist about all medical conditions the patient has.
Adrenaline is essential for the body to survive. However, there are times when the body will release this hormone when under stress and not when faced with danger.
This can cause the person to experience the aforementioned side effects.
The production of adrenaline can also induce the release of glucose, which the body uses for energy. If there is no real threat and the extra energy is released, the person will become irritable and restless.
Overproduction of adrenaline in the body is rare, but it can happen. If a person has tumors in the adrenal glands, for example, their body can make too much adrenaline.
This can lead to anxiety and weight loss. Other rare but serious side effects of adrenaline include:
- Abnormal heart rhythm
- Heart attack.
- Elevation of blood presure.
- Accumulation of fluid in the lungs.
Too little adrenaline in the body is also rare; in this case, the body’s ability to respond appropriately in dangerous situations would be limited.
The adrenaline hormone rarely causes problems for an individual. However, ongoing stress can cause complications associated with adrenaline.
These issues need to be addressed immediately to prevent new health problems from arising.
A doctor should be consulted if you are unsure of how to deal with excessive adrenaline production and how to reduce stress and its symptoms.
