Addison's disease – Adrenal insufficiency

Description adrenal insufficiency

Addison's disease – a rare disorder of the adrenal glands. In the case of Addison's disease gland does not produce sufficient amounts of the hormones cortisol and aldosterone.

Causes Adrenal insufficiency

Addison's disease is the result of gradual damage to the adrenal cortex, of outer layer. This damage can be caused by:

• The immune system attacks the adrenal glands (autoimmune disease) (accounts 85% of cases in developed countries);
• Tuberculosis (the main cause in the Third World);
• Bleeding into the adrenal glands (It involves the use of drugs, anticoagulants);
• Surgical complications;
• Congenital or genetic factors (defects of enzymes, glucocorticoid insufficiency);
• Citomegalovirusy (CMV), AIDS-related;

Fungal infections, including:

• Blastomycosis;
• Histoplasmosis;
• Coccidioidomycosis.

Cancer, including metastasis:

• Breast cancer, light, kidney and colon cancer.
• Lymphoma.
• Kaposi's Sarcoma.

Medication (such as ketoconazole or etomidate)
Radiation therapy.

Chronic diseases, including:

• Sarkoidoz;
• Gemoxromatoz;
• Amiloidoz;
• Adrenoleukodystrophy;
• Adrenomielodistrofiâ.

Risk factors for adrenal insufficiency

Risk factors include:

Having the following autoimmune diseases can put be the cause of Addison's disease:

• Diabetes Type 1;
• Pagubnaya anemia;
• Gipoparatireoz;
• Gipopituitarizm;
• Hyperthyroidism (Toxic goiter) or hypothyroidism (Zob Khasimoto);
• Myasthenia gravis;
• Stress;
• Anticoagulants;
• Abdominal early.

Long-term treatment with steroids, followed by:

• Heavy stress;
• Infections;
• Surgical treatment;
• Injuries;
• Previous operations on adrenal glands.

Symptoms of Addison's disease

Symptoms may include:

• Severe weakness, fatigue;
• Weight loss;
• Nausea or vomiting;
• Chronic diarrhea;
• Weakness in the muscles;
• Darkening of freckles, Nipple, scars, skin folds, right, mouth, nail beds, and vaginal cover;
• Emotional changes, especially depression;
• Craving for salty foods;
• Abdominal pain;
• Anorexia;
• Amenorrhea.

Severe complication of Addison's disease – adrenal crisis. Adrenal crisis – life-threatening violation, its symptoms include:

• The feeling of heaviness in the abdomen, pain in the legs;
• Swoon;
• Very low blood pressure;
• Severe dehydration;
• Severe nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea;
• Low blood sugar;
• General weakness in the muscles.

Diagnosis of Addison's disease

For diagnosis, the following tests:

Blood and urine tests, to determine how low levels of cortisol and aldosterone, high level of ACTH (ACTH is a hormone, which stimulates the adrenal glands), as well as for level measurement:

• Sodium;
• Chlorine;
• Calcium;
• Potassium;
• Carbon dioxide;
• Urea level in blood;
• Antinadpochechnikovyh antibodies (rarely).

X-rays done, to see, whether signs of adrenal calcium deposits;
Produced abdominal computed tomography – to make pictures of structures inside the body, in this case the adrenal.

Treatment of Addison's disease

Symptoms of Addison's disease can be controlled with medication. These drugs replace the missing hormones. Medications will be accepted until the end of life. Their dose can be increased during periods of stress.

Medications for the treatment of Addison's disease:

• Cortisone acetate;
• Hydrocortisone tablets;
• Fludrocortisone acetate (Florinef);

Immediate treatment of adrenal crisis includes:

• Hydrocortisone intravenously;
• Saline solution (salt water) intravenously.

To control the level of hormones cortisol and aldosterone need to undergo regular medical examinations.

Addison's Disease Prevention

To prevent this disease there are no known methods. If you suspect the presence of Addison's disease should consult a doctor.