Adrenal Insufficiency

The adrenal glands are small but very powerful glands that are located on top of each of the kidneys. Adrenal glands are actually two separate organs that are combined in a single location. The outer portion is called the adrenal cortex and the inner portion is known as the adrenal medulla.

The main function of the adrenal cortex is secretion of hormones along with the regulation of the minerals metabolism, water balance, distribution and utilization of proteins, carbohydrates and fat and lastly immune reactions such as allergies and hypersensitivity. Adrenal insufficiency occurs when approximately 90% of the adrenal cortex has been destroyed.

Adrenal Insufficiency - Causes

The adrenal insufficiency can be caused by a varied set of medical conditions. Some of the most prominent conditions are:

• Addison’s Disease: This condition occurs in about 1 in 100,000 people and causes the gradual destruction of the adrenal cortex by the body’s own immune system. Most of the cases reported are caused by autoimmune disorders wherein the immune system of the body makes antibodies that attack the body’s own tissues and organs and destroys them slowly.
• Tuberculosis: The tuberculosis infection can destroy the adrenal glands. In the developed countries, tuberculosis causes about 20% of the adrenal insufficiency cases.
• Polyendocrine Deficiency Syndrome: This syndrome is classified as Type I and Type II. Type I occurs in children and is often accompanied with slow sexual development, chronic active hepatitis and hair loss. Type II is also known as the Schimdt’s syndrome and is seen in young adults. This syndrome is also accompanied by an under active thyroid gland, slow sexual development and loss of pigmentation on areas of the skin.

Adrenal Insufficiency - Symptoms

The people suffering from adrenal insufficiency usually display the following symptoms:

• The blood pressure of the people suffering from adrenal insufficiency is usually low and drops further to the extend of 105/60 on standing. On reclining, the blood pressure can become as high as 130/80. This variation in blood pressure makes it difficult for the individuals to fall asleep and can also cause other conditions like temporary darkening of the vision, dizziness, faintness and fainting.
• Individuals display lymph gland inflammation of the neck that is there is swelling, pain or tenderness in the lymph glands.
• The skin of individuals with adrenal insufficiency is thin, dry or scaly. There is pigmentation of temples, red palms that are always cold and red fingertips.
• The urination in the people suffering from adrenal insufficiency is either very frequent with very small amount of urine or very infrequent with very large quantity of urine. Further, these people do not do very well during the summer where the temperature is high along with high humidity.
• The body of individuals suffering from adrenal insufficiency is of the thin muscle type. These individuals are tall with an angular appearance and long neck. The index finger of these individuals is longer than the ring finger and the second toe is longer than the big toe.
• There is very scanty perspiration in people suffering from adrenal insufficiency except under the arms, hands and feet. Further, the urine and the sweat will be saltier than normal people and there will be a greater concentration of salt on the skin.
• These people feel pain and tenderness over the adrenal area of mid back when a little pressure is applied. This condition is known as the Rogoff’s sign.

Adrenal Insufficiency - Treatment

The treatment for adrenal insufficiency includes replacing or substituting the hormones that the Adrenal glands make. Usually oral tablets along with a diet plan are prescribed by the doctor. The tablets are prescribed after analyzing as to which hormones have to be replaced. Remember that the prescription of one individual will very vastly from another individual and do not discuss your medication with anyone except your doctor. Intake or salt and sugar water solution may be advised to people who suffer from low blood pressure. Further, there may be the issue that a particular tablet or the dosage of the tablet is not working for you. Do not hesitate to contact your doctor for every little doubt that you have,