A pheochromocytoma causes more of these hormones to be released, and it causes them to be released when you're not in a threatening situation. They prepare other body systems that enable you to react quickly. The hormones cause blood pressure to increase and the heart to beat faster. These hormones help control many body functions, such as heart rate, blood pressure and blood sugar.Īdrenaline and noradrenaline trigger the body's fight-or-flight response to a perceived threat. These cells release certain hormones, primarily adrenaline (epinephrine) and noradrenaline (norepinephrine). The tumor develops in specialized cells, called chromaffin cells, located in the center of an adrenal gland. Researchers don't know exactly what causes a pheochromocytoma. The endocrine system includes the pituitary gland, thyroid gland, parathyroid glands, adrenal glands, pancreas, ovaries and testicles. A family history of a related genetic disorder: multiple endocrine neoplasia, type 2 (MEN 2), von Hippel-Lindau disease, hereditary paraganglioma syndromes or neurofibromatosis 1.Spells of worsening high blood pressure.Difficulty controlling high blood pressure with current treatment.Talk to your health care provider if any of these factors apply to you: Stimulants, such as amphetamines or cocaineĪlthough high blood pressure is a primary sign of a pheochromocytoma, most people who have high blood pressure don't have an adrenal tumor.Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), such as phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate) and isocarboxazid (Marplan).These foods include:Ĭertain medications that can make symptoms worse include: Tyramine is common in foods that are fermented, aged, pickled, cured, overripe or spoiled. Surgery and a drug that causes you to be in a sleep-like state during surgery (anesthesia)įoods high in tyramine, a substance that affects blood pressure, also can make symptoms worse.Changes in body position, such as going from sitting or lying down to standing.These spells can happen because of activities or conditions, foods high in a substance that affects blood pressure (tyramine), and medications.Ĭertain activities or conditions can make symptoms worse, such as: The symptoms of pheochromocytoma may be constant, or they may occur, or get stronger, occasionally.
Less common signs or symptoms may include: Signs and symptoms of pheochromocytomas often include: The endocrine system also includes the pituitary gland, thyroid gland, parathyroid glands, pancreas, ovaries (in females) and testicles (in males).
The adrenal glands are part of the body's hormone-producing (endocrine) system. You have two adrenal glands - one located at the top of each kidney. For example, the first burst in blood pressure is seen on day two with a reading of 250/110 millimeters of mercury.Ī pheochromocytoma (fee-o-kroe-moe-sy-TOE-muh) is a rare, usually noncancerous (benign) tumor that develops in an adrenal gland. The higher points show the top number of the reading (systolic pressure).
The lower points represent the bottom number of the reading (diastolic pressure). The graph shows a nine-day period of short, irregular bursts in blood pressure due to a pheochromocytoma. This can make the condition more difficult to detect. Pheochromocytoma and irregular blood pressureĪ pheochromocytoma can cause wild fluctuations in blood pressure with normal blood pressure in between spells.
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