Unit 5: Addisons Cushings

Question 1

What is Addison’s disease?

Answer 1

is characterised by an insufficiency of adrenal cortex hormones. adrenal cortex hormones act in a -ve feedback loop.

The primary cause of addisons disease is an autoimmune response targeting the
cells of the adrenal cortex. This causes a decrease in hormoneproduction. (70% of addison’s disease is through this cause).

Question 2

What are some symptoms of addisons disease?

Answer 2

low Bp (secondary tachicardia)
Low Na+ high K+ (build up in muscle can cause pain)
Low BGL (which causes fatigue)
Decrease in sex hormones can reduce libido
weight loss
Since there is no -ve feedback to the hypothalamus then it would produce more CRH → Stimulating the A. P gland to release ACTH.
This may increase other hormones produced by the AP gland in response to stress (prolactin maybe one).
bronze pigmentation

Question 3

What is secondary addisons diease?

Answer 3

when the APG is not able to produce ACTH to stimulate the adrenal cortex.
its also possible to develop SAS through not taking oral corticosteroid medication.
hydrocortisone- cortisol
fludro cortisone - aldosterone.
Prednisone is an oral corticosteroid that can be used to treat longterm conditions such as asthma, IBD, arthritis where there is an inflamatory response
OCS decreases cytokine activity decreasing informatory response

Question 4

What is addisonian crisis?

Answer 4

Addisonian crisis - is when there is a sudden drop in Glucocorticoids usually due to the individual not taking oral corticosteroids. Due to the oral CS there is low ACTH stimulation Adrenal gland tissue atrophy of the adrenal cortex zone f. the may cause tissue to atrophy
from high Glucosecorticoids to low - ACTH is produced but adrenal cortex
isn’t able to produce Glucocorticoids

Question 5

What is Cushing’s syndrome?

Answer 5

Cushing syndrome is mainly iatrogenic (treatment caused) (could be disease progression) and is when an idividual has an excess of glucocorticoids.-they are used widley as anti-inflammatioriess and Immunosuppressants. The group of drugs are corticosteroids. Symptoms improve after reduction in steroids.

Question 6

What is Cushing disease?

Answer 6

Cushing disease however is not iatrogenic and is caused by excess of ACTH which stimulates the adrenals to produce (mainly glucose corticoids) likely caused by a tumor on the anterior pituitary gland. Symptoms would improve after removal

Question 7

What are symptoms of cushings?

Answer 7

thin limbs
- Redistribution of fat - moon face, central body obesity (thin limbs), buffalo hump
-Suppression of protein synthesis - muscle weakness (muscle made up of
protine (filaments)). Poor tissue healing - easy bruising (tissue made up
of prolines), skin striae (stretch marks) (collagen in skin is a protein that
is weakened. - purpura/muscle wasting
-Suppression of calcium absorption and inhibition of bone formation due to restriction of osteoblast activity increased risk of osteoporosis and fractures.
- increased gluconeogenesis - high Glucose more risk of diabetes
- Mineralocorticoid effects - Sodium retention → increased water and blood volume
high BP
- Increased androgen production - oily shin-Acne , hirsutism (body hair)
head hair thinning (linked to high testosterone)
-Some psychiatric effects-hallucinations, psychotic episode