Adrenal gland disorders - Addisons disease

Question 1

What is addisons disease?

Answer 1

• Addison’s Disease is a form of adrenal insufficiency usually caused by autoimmune destruction of the adrenal cortex
• It can also result from tuberculosis

Question 1

What part of the adrenal secrets aldosterone for water balance ?

Answer 1

Zona glomerulosa

Question 2

What hormones does the adrenal Cortex produce ?

Answer 2

Question 3

What is cortisol important for ?

Answer 3

Cortisol is a glucocorticoid hormone produced by the zona fasciculata that plays several important roles in the body.
It helps control the body’s use of fats, proteins and carbohydrates;
suppresses inflammation;
regulates blood pressure;
increases blood sugar; and
can also decrease bone formation.
This hormone also controls the sleep/wake cycle. It is released during times of stress to help your body get an energy boost and better handle an emergency situation.

Question 4

What does the medulla of the adrenal gland produce ?

Answer 4

Adrenalin and noradrenalin in response to the sympathetic neural activity.

Question 5

What is addisons disease ?

Answer 5

Question 6

What is not produced enough of in addisons disease ?

Answer 6

Coritisol and aldosterone

Question 7

What is role of cortisol

Answer 7

anti-inflammatory

Question 8

What is role of aldosterone

Answer 8

water and sodium balance

Question 9

What are the symptoms of Addison disease ?

Answer 9

• salt craving !!

Question 10

What is an addisorian crisis ?

Answer 10

Addisonian crisis
Hypotensive collapse (volume depletion and shock)
High urine Na+
Hyponatremia (can cause nausea and dizziness)
Hypoglycaemia
Hyperkalaemia

Question 11

Most poeple usually only find out they have addisons disease when they do what ?

Answer 11

Have an Addisonian crisis

Question 12

Explain hyperpigmentation in addison disease

Answer 12

• Lack of secretion of adrenal hormones results in failure of the feedback cycle for Adrenocorticotropin (ACTH)
• High plasma ACTH level results in hyperpigmentation of the skin especially under nails, buccal mucosa and palm creases
• Why?
  Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone is a by-product of ACTH production

Question 13

How to diagnose addisons ?

Answer 13

Question 14

Explain primary, secondry and tertiary, hypo adrenal diagnosis

Answer 14

primary - Problem within the adrenal gland

Secondry - problem within the piturary gland

Tertiary - problem within the hypothalamus

Question 15

What is the treatment for Addisons disease?

Answer 15

Volume replacement (saline) if in crisis . And glucose

Hydrocortisone (crisis) and synthetic mineralocorticoid fludrocortisone (replacement therapy)

Needs regular review – will need to be continued throughout life

Hydrocortisone for emergencies