Epinephrine

By: Kelly Hilbish

Epinephrine• What is it?What is it? A hormone secreted by the medulla

of the adrenal glands (orange colored)

• Location:Location: on the kidneys

• Also Known as:Also Known as: ADRENALINE

• When is it produced?When is it produced? In times of stress, such as excitement, danger, noise, bright lights, and high ambient temperatures.

How does it affect your body?

Epinephrine stimulates:• your heart• raises blood pressure• Constricts small blood vessels• Releases sugar stored in liver• Relaxes some involuntary muscles, while

contracting others.

How does it make you feel?

• When epinephrine is released, it makes your body:– More alert– Physically stronger– Increase energy

• Why does your body do this?• It prepares for times of danger

Facts

• Epinephrine first hormone to ever be founded.

• Discovered in 1900

• Afterwards, epinephrine was synthetically reproduced for medical purposes.

Adrenaline Junkies• Term referred to

individuals who are addicted to the adrenaline sensation.

• Adrenaline junkies usually tend to put themselves in situations that are stressful and risky so that epinephrine will be released in their bodies.

Adrenaline Addiction

• Symptoms include:– Easily get bored– Trouble sleeping or relaxing– Work long hours but never get much done– Good at starting relationships but trouble

sustaining them– Uncomfortable with closeness and intimacy

Adrenal Disorders

• Cushing’s syndrome • pheochromocytoma• Both of these syndromes are because of

adrenal insufficiency from the adrenal medulla.– If left untreated, symptoms include:

• High blood pressure• Heart disease

Vasopresser• Epinephrine is one of the most powerful

vasopressers.• A vasopresser causes rise in blood

pressure.• Since it is a powerful heart stimulant, it is

used in emergency rooms to restore heart rhythm in cases of shock and in some cases of cardiac arrest (heart attacks)

Bronchodilator

• Epinephrine is a powerful bronchodilator.

• It is most commonly used to relax bronchial muscles.

• It relieves breathing distress for people who have asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema.

Bleed Control

• Epinephrine is also used on skin or mucous membrane.

• Since it constricts blood vessels, it controls bleeding.

• For this reason, it is used during surgery since it makes it easier.