I have just been diagnosed with adrenal insufficiency by a doctor, what should I pay attention to when treating at home? (Anh Hong, 51 years old, Lam Dong)
Reply:
Adrenal insufficiency occurs when the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis is destroyed, disrupting the production of steroid hormones in the adrenal cortex. The disease has two forms, primary due to autoimmune diseases, infections, tuberculosis, HIV, cancer, adrenalectomy... At this time, the adrenal glands are attacked and destroyed, leading to the inability to produce the hormones cortisol and aldosterone.
Secondary adrenal insufficiency occurs when the pituitary gland does not secrete enough adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) hormone, which causes the adrenal glands to not produce enough cortisol. This condition is common in people who use corticosteroids for a long time and then stop abruptly. Secondary adrenal insufficiency can also occur due to pituitary tumors that press on normal pituitary cells or surgery or radiation therapy to the pituitary gland.
Adrenal insufficiency is a chronic condition that requires lifelong treatment. You should take medication at home as prescribed by your doctor to avoid complications.
The doctor instructs the patient and relatives on how to inject corticosteroids and recognize emergency cases such as acute adrenal failure to take the patient to a medical facility for timely treatment.
Adrenal insufficiency is common in people aged 30-50. Illustration: Freepik
Diet plays an important role in improving health. You should increase foods rich in calcium and vitamin D in your diet, because taking corticosteroids increases the risk of osteoporosis. If you have low aldosterone levels, consult your doctor about adding more sodium through diet or medication.
Typical symptoms of acute adrenal insufficiency include hypotension, severe fluid loss, confusion, and coma. The disease is often accompanied by acute stress conditions such as surgery, infection, trauma, etc. In this case, the patient needs to be hospitalized for timely intervention to avoid life-threatening situations.
Common symptoms of chronic adrenal insufficiency include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, fatigue, muscle pain, and increased skin pigmentation. If you notice any abnormalities in your health, you should see a doctor for timely examination and treatment.
MD.CKI Do Tien Vu
Department of Endocrinology - Diabetes, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City
| Readers ask questions about endocrine diseases here for doctors to answer |
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