Adrenaline is otherwise known as epinephrine or more commonly – the fight-or-flight hormone. It is a specialised chemical compound produced mainly in the adrenal glands of the human body, besides specific neurons. Adrenal glands are endocrine glands that are present as a pair of structures situated directly above the kidneys, thereby also being termed suprarenal glands. The adrenal glands secrete other hormones besides adrenaline as well, such as noradrenaline, cortisol and aldosterone.
What Is An Adrenaline Rush?
In normal situations wherein bodily tissues are stimulated, adrenaline is released into the bloodstream as a usual response, to facilitate the cells to take up sugar as a fuel source and supply energy to the organs. However, when certain circumstances take place with high levels of excitement, as an adventure sport, it induces a surge of adrenaline into blood circulation suddenly, which is called an adrenaline rush.
Symptoms Of Adrenaline Rush:
An adrenaline rush gives rise to some characteristic symptoms as a result of a significant increase in the body’s energy levels. These comprise rapid heartbeats and abnormally fast pulse rate, constantly sweating all over the body and dilation of pupils. Heightened sense of smell, taste and touch, lowered response to painful sensations, breathing heavily and in short quick gasps, feeling nervous, having enhanced physical body strength are all also typical indications of an adrenaline rush.
Complications Of Adrenaline Rush:
In most cases, the symptoms accompanying an adrenaline rush fade after about 1 hour following the completion of the enthralling incident that triggered the energetic response. However, in people with chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes or anxiety, frequent episodes of adrenaline rush lead to serious consequences of damage to heart vessels, high blood pressure or hypertension, insomnia, unhealthy weight gain and panic attacks. It is thus important to be aware of the causes of adrenaline rush and report the symptoms at once to a doctor, to ensure accurate diagnosis and timely medical treatment.
Causes Of Adrenaline Rush:
An adrenaline rush can occur due to several reasons, such as:
Exciting Activity
Engaging in adventurous pursuits such as bungee jumping, white water rafting, skydiving, mountain climbing, roller coaster rides in amusement parks are common examples of thrilling events that trigger an adrenaline rush.
Mental Stress
Being overwhelmed by personal conflicts with parents, a spouse, children or any family member leads to an overflow of adrenaline and cortisol – the stress hormone, by the adrenal glands. Quarrelling with friends or having disputes at work with colleagues and obsessing about them also causes an adrenaline rush.
Frightening Incident
Watching a horror movie and getting scared, encountering a threatening scene of being chased by an agitated animal in the woods or an attacker on the street invariably trigger the fight or flight response, causing a terrifying reaction and an adrenaline rush.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Individuals who have experienced a distressing incident such as sexual abuse, physical/mental torture, directly witnessing a person dying like in a car accident or vehicle collision on the road, being struck by a weapon tend to have recurring thoughts about the disturbing event known as Post-Traumatic Stress disorder, which prompts an adrenaline rush.
Tumour Growths
A tumour on the adrenal glands called pheochromocytoma, or certain types of tumours in the segments of the nervous system besides the brain cause surplus adrenaline synthesis and induce an adrenaline rush.