Adrenal Insufficiency

What is adrenal insufficiency?

Adrenal insufficiency (AI) is the result of the adrenal glands' inability to generate adequate cortisol and aldosterone. Your body cannot maintain necessary bodily activities if these hormones are not present in the required amounts.Adrenal insufficiency can be either transitory or permanent. For the remainder of the patient's life, daily medication is required if AI is permanent.

What are the causes of AI?

    Permanent

  • Addison Disease
  • Congenital adrenal hyperplasia
  • Surgical excision of adrenals
  • Diseases, tumours or radiotherapy of pituitary gland

Physical stress, infection, surgery, or not taking suitable medicine might result in temporary adrenal insufficiency. Causes of temporary AI:

  • Pituitary tumour surgery
  • Adrenal gland tumour removal
  • Cortisol-lowering medications
  • Extended steroid use

What are the signs and symptoms of AI?

You won't feel well when your vital bodily activities are not being maintained. Symptoms include

  • Unexpected weakness
  • Light-headedness when you stand up
  • Loss of appetite
  • Stomach ache, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea.
  • Over a period of time, you have salt cravings, obesity, and pigmented skin

What are the signs and symptoms of AI?

You won't feel well when your vital bodily activities are not being maintained. Symptoms include

  • Unexpected weakness
  • Light-headedness when you stand up
  • Loss of appetite
  • Stomach ache, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea.
  • Over a period of time, you have salt cravings, obesity, and pigmented skin

How is AI treated?

You must take daily medicine to restore depleted hormones if you want to keep your AI under control. You must take the medication as per your doctor's instructions.

How can you take care of your AI?

AI can be controlled by actively participating in your healthcare

  • Take prescribed medications regularly
  • Getting regular health check-ups
  • Informing other doctors that you have AI before any surgery to see if "stress dosing" is necessary