Adrenal disorders Flashcards
What are glucocorticoids?
What do they do?
Hormones released by adrenal cortex
- Release cortisol
- Retain sodium/secrete potassium
Decreased levels of Glucocorticoids cause:
Increased levels cause:
Decreased: hyposecretions (Addison’s disease)
Increased: hypersecretion (Cushing’s syndrome)
What do the adrenal glands release:
Glucocorticoids
Androgens
Cushing’s disease
vs.
Cushing’s syndrome
Disease: Excessive hormone production
Cushing’s syndrome: all signs/symptoms present
What are common signs of Cushing’s syndrome?
- Purple striae (stretch marks)
- Trunk obesity; thin legs
- Moon face (facial fat)
Why can cushing’s cause hyperglycemia?
Cortisol raises blood sugar
What often causes Addison’s disease:
Autoimmune disorder of adrenal cortex that causes hyposecretion of cortisol (corticosteroids)
What are some signs/symptoms of Addison’s disease?
- Hypoglycemia
- Hypotension
- Weight loss
- Bronze pigmentation of skin
What is treatment for Addison’s disease?
Hormone replacement therapy (lifelong)
What hormone does the adrenal medulla secrete?
Epinephrine/norepinephrine
pheochromocytomas
What is this?
What does it cause?
Tumor that grows on adrenal gland
Causes hypersecretion of Adrenal hormones (epinephrine/norepinephrine)
pheochromocytomas
What are some common symptoms?
- Unresponsive Hypertension (can’t control)
- Headache
- Tachycardia
pheochromocytomas
What foods should patient’s avoid?
Tyrosine containing foods:
Aged cheese
Beer
Caffeine
