Diseases

Question 1

Cushing’s Syndrome

Answer 1

A collection of symptoms caused by high cortisol levels in the body. The adrenal glands produce too much cortisol, often caused by a tumor.

Symptoms include:

• weight gain
• thinning skin that bruises easily
• reddish-purple stretch marks on the thighs, stomach, buttocks, arms, legs or breasts
• fat deposits that develop in the face, causing it to become round
• muscle or bone weakness
• decreased interest in sex

Question 2

Addison’s Disease

Answer 2

Addison’s disease (also known as primary adrenal insufficiency or hypoadrenalism) is a rare disorder of the adrenal glands.

Symptoms Include:

• fatigue (lack of energy or motivation)
• muscle weakness
• low mood
• loss of appetite and unintentional weight loss
• increased thirst

Caused when the adrenal glands fail to excrete enough cortisol and aldosterone.

Question 3

Hypothyroidism

Answer 3

The thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough of the hormone thyroxine. This causes tiredness, weight gain and depression. Treatment is via levothyroxine to replace the lack of thyroxine hormone.

Question 4

Glomerulonephritis

Answer 4

Inflammation of the glomeruli (filters) of the kidney.

Symptoms include:
Hematuria, proteinuria, hypertension, edema.

Question 5

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)

Answer 5

When the proteins that control blood clotting become overactive resulting in excessive clotting and when the proteins run out can lead to excessive bleeding even with small injury.

Question 6

Pernicious Anemia

Answer 6

Conditions in which the body does not have enough health red blood cells due to the intestines not being able to absorb enough vitamin B12.

Characterized by a “shift to the right” indicating an increase in the number of mature neutrophils