Presentation
Clinical description The disease presents a bimodal age distribution with a rare subset presenting in the first years of life, particularly associated to McCune-Albright syndrome (MAS; see this term). [orpha.net]
These different diseases present in different forms and vary widely with no two patients presenting with the same symptoms. [drlam.com]
Adrenal gland diseases can cause hypokalemia because aldosterone--a hormone produced by the adrenal glands--determines how much potassium is present in the body. [livestrong.com]
Depends on the course of the disease: acute stage: the patient presents with fever, back pain, hypotension, weakness chronic stage : progressive lethargy, weakness, cutaneous pigmentation, weight loss Laboratory data chemistry: hyponatremia, hyperkalemia [radiopaedia.org]
Hyperkalemia should be controlled, if present. Paraneoplastic process Approximately 2% of children with neuroblastoma present with opsoclonus-myoclonus. The cause of this manifestation is unclear. [emedicine.medscape.com]
Entire Body System
- Weakness
A person with Addison disease feels weak, tired, and dizzy when standing up after sitting or lying down and may develop dark skin patches. [merckmanuals.com]
Some common symptoms of hypoadrenalism are fatigue, dizziness, muscle weakness, nausea and loss of appetite. [decorlando.com]
Symptoms may include: Muscle weakness Fatigue Dizziness Rapid pulse Dark skin (first noted on hands and face) Black freckles Bluish-black discoloration around the nipples, mouth, rectum, scrotum, or vagina Weight loss Dehydration Loss of appetite Intense [stanfordchildrens.org]
If not treated, Addison's disease may lead to severe abdominal pain, extreme weakness, low blood pressure, kidney failure, and shock—especially when the patient is experiencing physical stress. [jerseyshoreuniversitymedicalcenter.com]
Other symptoms may include weakness, tiredness and lack of energy, and weight loss. You will need to take hormones to replace those that the adrenal glands are not making. [massgeneral.org]
- Fatigue
The Mayo Clinic defines adrenal fatigue as "a term applied to a collection of nonspecific symptoms, such as body aches, fatigue, nervousness, sleep disturbances and digestive problems." [livescience.com]
Symptoms include: Low energy state and fatigue, with low exercise tolerance level and fatigue on exertion. Low cardiac output, leading to congestive heart failure. [drlam.com]
Wilson’s book Adrenal Fatigue: The 21st Century Stress Syndrome. For more information, see our FAQ on adrenal fatigue. * This statement has not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. [adrenalfatigue.org]
The term adrenal fatigue was coined to describe symptoms of fatigue, insomnia, salt and sugar cravings, and more that occur when a person is exposed to chronic stress. [thyroid.about.com]
Adrenal Gland Fatigue: Do you know what is adrenal gland fatigue? The term seems intriguing. In fact, it is a syndrome or a collection of symptoms and signs. The condition results from the abnormal functioning of the suprarenal glands. [organsofthebody.com]
- Pain
Seek emergency medical treatment if you experience the following signs and symptoms: Severe weakness Confusion Pain in your lower back or legs Severe abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea, leading to dehydration Reduced consciousness or delirium In an [mayoclinic.org]
One medical text describes the pain as “devastating”, and that for some patients who suffer frequent attacks, “the pain may be so intolerable as to make life a burden” (Macpherson, p 598). 16 Jane was a very private person, and the pain must have been [doi.org]
SYMPTOMS• Abdominal pain• Chest pain• Irritability• Nervousness• Pallor• Palpitations• Rapid heart rate• Severe headache• Sweating• Weight loss 19. [slideshare.net]
Patients may also experience abdominal pain, flank pain or a feeling of abdominal fullness, especially when the adrenal tumor gets very large. Not all cancers found in adrenal glands originate from the gland itself. [hopkinsmedicine.org]
- Weight Loss
The same goes for things like weight-loss problems, mood disorders, etc. [disability-benefits-help.org]
Other symptoms may include weakness, tiredness and lack of energy, and weight loss. You will need to take hormones to replace those that the adrenal glands are not making. [massgeneral.org]
loss • Abdominal pain and constipation • High blood sugar level • Psychiatric issues Addison’s disease • Weight loss • Weakness and extreme fatigue • Nausea and/or vomiting • Low blood pressure with a feeling of dizziness upon standing • Dark patches [medindia.net]
- Fever
This cyclic pattern of fever, known as the Pel-Ebstein fever, is “a classic clinical sign in Hodgkin’s disease. .. [doi.org]
That can happen for many reasons, such as an illness, fever, surgery, or dehydration. You may also have a crisis if you stop taking your corticosteroids or lower the amount of your medicines suddenly. [massgeneral.org]
Gastrointestinal
- Vomiting
If you become very sick, especially if you are vomiting and you can't take your medication, go to the emergency room. [mayoclinic.org]
Call your healthcare provider if: You have any kind of illness, especially a fever, vomiting, or diarrhea. You become pregnant. You need surgery. Get medical help right away if you have sudden severe symptoms (Addisonian crisis). [massgeneral.org]
Larger doses of hydrocortisone are needed when the body is stressed, especially as a result of an illness, and may need to be given by injection if the person has severe diarrhea or vomiting. [merckmanuals.com]
Immediate medical attention is needed when severe infections or vomiting or diarrhea occur. These conditions can precipitate an addisonian crisis. A patient who is vomiting may require injections of hydrocortisone. [pituitary.org]
- Nausea
Some people experience nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Adrenal insufficiency is treated with hormones that replace the hormones your body is lacking. [hormone.org]
[…] weakness Fatigue Dizziness Rapid pulse Dark skin (first noted on hands and face) Black freckles Bluish-black discoloration around the nipples, mouth, rectum, scrotum, or vagina Weight loss Dehydration Loss of appetite Intense salt craving Muscle aches Nausea [stanfordchildrens.org]
Symptoms may include: Weakness Fatigue Dizziness Dark skin Black freckles Bluish-black discoloration around the nipples, mouth, rectum, scrotum, or vagina Weight loss Dehydration Lack of appetite Muscle aches Nausea Vomiting Diarrhea Intolerance to cold [jerseyshoreuniversitymedicalcenter.com]
Then she suffered from severe headache, nausea and vomiting. She passed lumbar puncture. Cerebrospinal fluid exam was typical for serous lymphocytic meningitis. [endocrine-abstracts.org]
- Abdominal Pain
Seek emergency medical treatment if you experience the following signs and symptoms: Severe weakness Confusion Pain in your lower back or legs Severe abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea, leading to dehydration Reduced consciousness or delirium In an [mayoclinic.org]
Symptoms of chronic adrenal insufficiency include low blood pressure, fatigue, weight loss, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, salt craving and low blood sugar. Skin and mucous membranes may show increased pigmentation. [yourhormones.info]
Patients may also experience abdominal pain, flank pain or a feeling of abdominal fullness, especially when the adrenal tumor gets very large. Not all cancers found in adrenal glands originate from the gland itself. [hopkinsmedicine.org]
pain, extreme weakness, low blood pressure, kidney failure, and shock--especially when the child is experiencing physical stress. [stanfordchildrens.org]
pain, extreme weakness, low blood pressure, kidney failure, and shock—especially when the patient is experiencing physical stress. [jerseyshoreuniversitymedicalcenter.com]
- Diarrhea
Call your healthcare provider if: You have any kind of illness, especially a fever, vomiting, or diarrhea. You become pregnant. You need surgery. Get medical help right away if you have sudden severe symptoms (Addisonian crisis). [massgeneral.org]
Larger doses of hydrocortisone are needed when the body is stressed, especially as a result of an illness, and may need to be given by injection if the person has severe diarrhea or vomiting. [merckmanuals.com]
Some people experience nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Adrenal insufficiency is treated with hormones that replace the hormones your body is lacking. [hormone.org]
- Severe Abdominal Pain
abdominal pain, extreme weakness, low blood pressure, kidney failure, and shock--especially when the child is experiencing physical stress. [stanfordchildrens.org]
abdominal pain, extreme weakness, low blood pressure, kidney failure, and shock—especially when the patient is experiencing physical stress. [jerseyshoreuniversitymedicalcenter.com]
Severe abdominal pain, profound weakness, extremely low blood pressure, kidney failure, and shock may occur. An adrenal crisis often occurs if the body is subjected to stress, such as an accident, injury, surgery, or severe infection. [merckmanuals.com]
Seek emergency medical treatment if you experience the following signs and symptoms: Severe weakness Confusion Pain in your lower back or legs Severe abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea, leading to dehydration Reduced consciousness or delirium In an [mayoclinic.org]
If not treated, adrenal insufficiency may result in severe abdominal pains, vomiting, profound muscle weakness and fatigue, depression, extremely low blood pressure ( hypotension ), weight loss, kidney failure, changes in mood and personality, and shock [en.wikipedia.org]
Cardiovascular
- Hypotension
Depends on the course of the disease: acute stage: the patient presents with fever, back pain, hypotension, weakness chronic stage : progressive lethargy, weakness, cutaneous pigmentation, weight loss Laboratory data chemistry: hyponatremia, hyperkalemia [radiopaedia.org]
Additional signs and symptoms include weakness, tiredness, dizziness, low blood pressure that falls further when standing ( orthostatic hypotension ), cardiovascular collapse, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. [en.wikipedia.org]
[…] imbalance can, however, be a contributing factor in a wide range of medical conditions, many of which may seem unrelated, including the following: Arthritis Chronic fatigue syndrome Depression and anxiety Fibromyalgia IBS or chronic digestive problems Hypotension [marcellepick.com]
Symptoms of adrenal gland disorders may include: dizziness excessive fatigue sweating nausea vomiting increased salt cravings low blood sugar low blood pressure, also known as hypotension irregular periods dark patches on your skin muscle and joint pain [healthline.com]
Musculoskeletal
- Arthritis
For example, Cushing syndrome is caused by an overproduction of cortisol, or more commonly, the use of medications called glucocorticoids—cortisol-like drugs—which are used to treat inflammatory disorders such as asthma and rheumatoid arthritis. [hormone.org]
Synthetic glucocorticoid medications, like prednisone, are helpful for treating diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, severe allergies, and other chronic illnesses. [study.com]
Because of this, it is used to treat dermatitis, insect bites, inflammation from arthritis and ulcerative colitis. One of the most important functions of the adrenal gland is the fight-or-flight response. [livescience.com]
Skin
- Hirsutism
Nonclassic form In the nonclassic (relatively mild) form, patients present late with precocious pubarche or problems related to androgen excess, including hirsutism, menstrual irregularities, and infertility. [emedicine.medscape.com]
Mild overproduction of androgens is common but may lead only to increased hair growth ( hirsutism ). True virilizing disease is rare, affecting only about 1 or 2 of every 100,000 women. [cushings-help.com]
Neurologic
- Dizziness
A person with Addison disease feels weak, tired, and dizzy when standing up after sitting or lying down and may develop dark skin patches. [merckmanuals.com]
Symptoms may include: Muscle weakness Fatigue Dizziness Rapid pulse Dark skin (first noted on hands and face) Black freckles Bluish-black discoloration around the nipples, mouth, rectum, scrotum, or vagina Weight loss Dehydration Loss of appetite Intense [stanfordchildrens.org]
Symptoms may include: Weakness Fatigue Dizziness Dark skin Black freckles Bluish-black discoloration around the nipples, mouth, rectum, scrotum, or vagina Weight loss Dehydration Lack of appetite Muscle aches Nausea Vomiting Diarrhea Intolerance to cold [jerseyshoreuniversitymedicalcenter.com]
Some common symptoms of hypoadrenalism are fatigue, dizziness, muscle weakness, nausea and loss of appetite. [washendo.com]
- Irritability
SYMPTOMS• Abdominal pain• Chest pain• Irritability• Nervousness• Pallor• Palpitations• Rapid heart rate• Severe headache• Sweating• Weight loss 19. [slideshare.net]
[…] face Increased fat around neck or a fatty hump between the shoulders Thinning arms and legs Fragile and thin skin Stretch marks on abdomen, thighs, buttocks, arms, and breasts Bone and muscle weakness Severe fatigue High blood pressure High blood sugar Irritability [hopkinsmedicine.org]
Many people describe the feeling of adrenal insufficiency as being “wired but tired” — so you feel your heart beating, body producing sweat and mind racing, yet you’re also fatigued, stressed and irritable at the same time. [draxe.com]
- Seizure
But if an Addisonian crisis is not treated, it can lead to: Shock Seizures Coma Living with adrenal insufficiency Take your medicines exactly as prescribed. You should also carry a medical alert card or tag at all times. [massgeneral.org]
Liver disease and congestion, with symptoms such as brain fog, and an inability to tolerate medications or supplements Loss of motor control, coordination Neurological problems Seizures Susceptibility to infection Swallowing difficulties Poor thyroid [drlam.com]
It has similar symptoms, but the consequences are more serious, including life-threatening shock, seizures, and coma. These may develop if the condition is left untreated. [hopkinsmedicine.org]
Urogenital
- Kidney Failure
Uncontrolled high blood pressure can put you at risk for stroke, heart attack, heart failure, or kidney failure. Adrenal insufficiency Adrenal insufficiency occurs when the adrenal glands don’t make enough cortisol, and sometimes, aldosterone. [hormone.org]
failure, and shock--especially when the child is experiencing physical stress. [stanfordchildrens.org]
failure, and shock—especially when the patient is experiencing physical stress. [jerseyshoreuniversitymedicalcenter.com]
failure Shock These symptoms may look like other health problems. [massgeneral.org]
Workup
The first step in the workup of a patient with suspected hyperaldosteronism is to confirm the diagnosis (see the image below). Diagnostic workup of hyperaldosteronism. [emedicine.medscape.com]
Anytime anyone presents with fatigue and low energy state, a complete cardiac, hormonal, hematological, oncological and metabolic workup is needed. When the result is normal and out of the box a different diagnosis needs to be considered. [drlam.com]
Those with these symptoms deserve compassion, a thorough workup looking for recognized (but often overlooked) medical causes, and a thoughtful treatment plan. [thyroid.about.com]
^ Addison Disease~workup at eMedicine Further reading [ edit ] Bornstein, SR; Allolio, B; Arlt, W; Barthel, A; Don-Wauchope, A; Hammer, GD; Husebye, ES; Merke, DP; Murad, MH; Stratakis, CA; Torpy, DJ (February 2016). [en.wikipedia.org]
Serum
- Hypoglycemia
Corticosteroid deficiency leads to an extreme sensitivity to insulin so that the level of sugar in the blood may fall dangerously low ( hypoglycemia ). [merckmanuals.com]
[…] disease: acute stage: the patient presents with fever, back pain, hypotension, weakness chronic stage : progressive lethargy, weakness, cutaneous pigmentation, weight loss Laboratory data chemistry: hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, azotemia, hypercalcemia, hypoglycemia [radiopaedia.org]
Insulin-Induced Hypoglycemia Test A reliable test to determine how the hypothalamus and pituitary and adrenal glands respond to stress is the insulin-induced hypoglycemia test. [pituitary.org]
Symptoms may include darkening of the skin, weight loss, muscle fatigue, loss of appetite, low blood pressure, depression, nausea, diarrhea, and low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). [disability-benefits-help.org]
- Hyponatremia
At the same time mild hyperkalemia (6.0 mmol/L) and hyponatremia (132 mmol/L) were diagnosed and treated symptomatically. In the next two months she felt worse, lose about 30 kg. The laboratory exams confirmed the failure of the adrenals. [endocrine-abstracts.org]
Consequently, most common symptoms can be traced back to a root adrenal hormone; for example, hyponatremia and hyperkalemia are produced due to the lack of aldosterone to encourage reabsorption of sodium and excretion of potassium. [washendo.com]
Depends on the course of the disease: acute stage: the patient presents with fever, back pain, hypotension, weakness chronic stage : progressive lethargy, weakness, cutaneous pigmentation, weight loss Laboratory data chemistry: hyponatremia, hyperkalemia [radiopaedia.org]
This removes the tonic vagal and glossopharyngeal inhibition on the central release of ADH : high levels of ADH will ensue, which will subsequently lead to increase in water retention and hyponatremia. [en.wikipedia.org]
Confusion Pain in your lower back or legs Severe abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea, leading to dehydration Reduced consciousness or delirium In an addisonian crisis you will also have: Low blood pressure High potassium (hyperkalemia) and low sodium (hyponatremia [mayoclinic.org]
- Cortisol Increased
This is sensed by the pituitary, which therefore will increase the release of ACTH, which in turn stimulates the adrenal cortex to produce more cortisol. [netdoctor.co.uk]
- Cortisol Increased
This is sensed by the pituitary, which therefore will increase the release of ACTH, which in turn stimulates the adrenal cortex to produce more cortisol. [netdoctor.co.uk]
Treatment
[…] for Cushing's syndrome: Treatment for Cushing's syndrome depends on its cause. [shifrinmd.com]
Treatment may also include taking a medication that helps restore the body's level of sodium and potassium. [stanfordchildrens.org]
Treatment may also include taking fludrocortisone, a drug that helps restore the body's level of sodium and potassium. [jerseyshoreuniversitymedicalcenter.com]
Treatment for Conn's syndrome varies depending on its severity. [washendo.com]
Treatment of hyperadrenalism will vary depending on which hormone is creating the problem, its underlying cause, and the severity of the symptoms. [decorlando.com]
Prognosis
Prognosis Prognosis after treatment is good but quality of life may be affected due to the long-term effects of hypercortisolemia. Without treatment the disease is life-threatening as in the case of manifest hypercortisolism. [orpha.net]
[…] adrenalitis): enlargement of both adrenal glands, with necrotic centers and peripheral enhancing rims chronic : both adrenal glands appear small and atrophic, associated with calcifications ( adrenal calcification ) in granulomatous adrenalitis Treatment and prognosis [radiopaedia.org]
What is the prognosis with a pheochromocytoma? Pheochromocytoma is benign in most cases, and if blood pressure-related surgical complications can be avoided, the likelihood of cure is excellent. [medicinenet.com]
Etiology
Etiology The exact etiology is unknown but the adrenal overgrowth seen in AIMAH may be due to the expression of aberrant membrane receptors found in the adrenal cortex that regulate cortisol secretion and which are stimulated by gastric inhibitory polypeptide [orpha.net]
At 1855, when Addison described it tuberculosis (TB) was the main etiology. May be we are coming to that time. TB is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. [endocrine-abstracts.org]
ETIOLOGY AND RISK FACTORS• Tuberculosis (TB) :TB is an infection which usually affects the lungs. [slideshare.net]
Secondary adrenal insufficiency due to lack of stimulation of the gland is a more common etiology overall. [radiopaedia.org]
Epidemiology
Summary Epidemiology Prevalence of endogenous CS is estimated at 1/26,000 and AIMAH represents less than 1% of the cases. [orpha.net]
Pathophysiology
Yen and Jaffe’s reproductive endocrinology: physiology, pathophysiology, and clinical management. 7th ed. Philadelphia: Elservier Saunders; 2014. p. 551–64. CrossRef Google Scholar 3. Auchus RJ. [link.springer.com]
[…] the body, especially lung ), hemorrhage (e.g. in Waterhouse–Friderichsen syndrome or antiphospholipid syndrome ), particular infections ( tuberculosis, histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis ), or the deposition of abnormal protein in amyloidosis. [22] Pathophysiology [en.wikipedia.org]
Prevention
By HealthLink on Air • Jan 30, 2016 Prevention is the best way to control Lyme disease, by dressing properly for the outdoors, checking skin afterward and quickly and carefully removing any ticks. On this week's show, Dr. Caitlin Sgarlet and Dr. [wrvo.org]
This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. [adrenalfatigue.org]
Can adrenal disease be prevented? Newer research has shown that annual insertion of deslorelin (Suprelorin-F) implants in November or December may delay or prevent the onset of adrenal disease as the ferret matures. [petcarevb.com]
Until a few years ago, the only treatment available for this ultimately fatal condition was surgery to remove the cancerous gland(s) – a procedure that carries a great deal of risk and that doesn’t prevent the development of the disease in the remaining [avianexoticsvet.com]
Prevention Addison's disease can't be prevented, but there are steps you can take to avoid an addisonian crisis: Talk to your doctor if you always feel tired, weak, or are losing weight. Ask about having an adrenal shortage. [mayoclinic.org]