Adrenal gland Flashcards
Addison disease vs Cushing syndrome
the following flashcards are going to be talking about the adrenal gland and the two disease often associated with it
Addison and Cushing syndrome
what is the function and purpose of the adrenal gland?
refuels sodium and electrolyte balance, affect carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism, influences the development of sexual characteristics and sustains the fight-or-flight response
what is Addison disease
( adrenal cortex insufficiency )?
refers to hypo secretion of adrenal cortex hormones ;
what is the main cause of Addison disease?
autoimmune destruction
what is Addison disease signs and symptoms related to each category I place here.
overall feeling?
gastrointestinal?
weight?
reproductive system?
blood glucose?
sodium ?
potassium?
calcium?
blood pressure?
skin color?
lethargy
gastrointestinal disturbances
weight loss
menstural changes/impotence
hypoglycemia
hyponatremia
hyperkalemia
hypercalcemia
hypotension
hyperpigmentation of the skin (bronzed)
what is the treatment for Addison disease?
administering glucocorticoid and or mineralocorticoid medications as prescribed, usually this is a life long replacement therapy treatment
remember we dont have enough stress hormones when we are having addision disease, so what do we tell patients about their medication?
you are going to need to increase the dosage during stressful events
additionally we are going to want to give patients high protein and carbohydrates to help get their weight back from the weight loss, but also we should be mindful that they have a lot of calcium, so in order to help consume it, we should prescribe what?
this will also help avoid what condition?
vitamin D
osteoporosis
how do we understand that a patient from Addison disease has too much hormones in them after medication?
the same symptoms as if it was Cushing syndrome
addisonian criss is what?
a life threatening condition caused by acute adrenal insffuicienty
what is the main caused or risk factors to promote addisonian crisis?
stress, infection, trauma, surgery, or abrupt withdrawal of exogenous corticosteroid use
what are symptoms fo addisisonian crisis ?
severe headache, abdominal pain and lower back pain, severe hypotension and shock
shock usually ends up being hypovolemic shock
what are the interventions and treatment for addisonsian crisis?
administer high-dose hydrocortisone replacement iv
iv fluids
monitor electrolytes, ,mainly that high potassium, low sodium and low glucose
just to review that last one, what is the medication we give during a addisonian crisis?
hydrocortisone high dose through IV
what is Cushing syndrome ?
a metabolic disorder resulting from the chronic and excessive production of cortisol by the adrenal cortex
what is it mainly caused by ?
acth tumors
what are the signs and symptoms to Cushing syndrome based on the categories provided below?
overall feeling?
body shape?
weight?
reproduction system?
blood glucose?
sodium?
potassium ?
calcium?
blood pressure?
skin?
msucle wasting and weakness
moon face, buffalo hump
truncal obesity with thin extremities
hirustium ( female-male visa versa )
hyperglycemia
hypernatremia
hypokalemia
hypocalcemia
hypertension
fragile, with reddish purple straie
what is the treatment for Cushing syndrome?
either remove the gland or tumor through surgery ( adrenalectomy ) or through radiation
however if we remove the adrenal gland from Cushing syndrome, what are they going to need for life?
corticosteroid replacement for life
one more thing, what is the diagnostic tool that we use to be able to differienaite between Addison and Cushing syndrome?
dexamethasone suppression test
