Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
Adrenal insufficiency is a condition in which the adrenal glands do not produce adequate amounts of steroid hormones. The adrenal glands—also referred to as the adrenal cortex—normally secrete glucocorticoids (primarily cortisol ), mineralocorticoids (primarily aldosterone ), and androgens .
Addison's disease, also known as primary adrenal insufficiency, [4] is a rare long-term endocrine disorder characterized by inadequate production of the steroid hormones cortisol and aldosterone by the two outer layers of the cells of the adrenal glands (adrenal cortex), causing adrenal insufficiency.
Adrenal crisis is a serious, life-threatening complication of adrenal insufficiency. Hypotension , or hypovolemic shock , is the main symptom of adrenal crisis, other indications and symptoms include weakness , anorexia , nausea , vomiting, fever, fatigue , abnormal electrolytes , confusion , and coma. [ 19 ]
Diseases classified as primary adrenal insufficiency (including Addison's disease and genetic causes) directly affect the adrenal cortex. If a problem that affects the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis arises outside the gland, it is a secondary adrenal insufficiency .
During this recovery time, the patient is vulnerable to adrenal insufficiency during times of stress, such as illness. While suppressive dose and time for adrenal recovery vary widely, clinical guidelines have been devised to estimate potential adrenal suppression and recovery, to reduce risk to the patient. The following is one example:
The best known feature that suggests a possible underlying adrenal insufficiency is low blood pressure despite resuscitation with intravenous fluids, requiring vasopressor drugs. [4] These patients typically display tachycardia and other signs of hyperdynamic shock. [ 6 ]
A class of steroid hormones secreted by the adrenal gland, glucocorticoids, inhibit eosinophil proliferation and survival. In adrenal insufficiency, low levels of these hormones allow increased eosinophil proliferation and survival. This leads to increases in blood eosinophil levels, typically eosinophilia and, less commonly, hypereosinophilia.
When a person with adrenal insufficiency is known to be exhibiting symptoms of an adrenal crisis, treatment begins before diagnostic testing. [14] When adrenal insufficiency is suspected a blood sample can be collected to test serum cortisol and ACTH levels, while treatment begins during the wait for results. Once an acutely ill person has ...