ADDISON'S DISEASE

Addison's Disease

Addison's Disease

Addison's Disease

Addison's disease (bronze disease, chronic adrenal failure) - this is a painful condition of the adrenal cortex, which occurs when their bilateral lesion, leading to a decrease (or eliminate) the secretion of adrenal hormones. Addison's disease occurs in lesions of more than 90% of adrenal tissue. In most cases, the cause of the disease - an autoimmune process (an attack by its own immune system), followed in frequency to be tuberculosis. As a syndrome, of chronic adrenal its insufficiency is present in a variety of inherited diseases (Williams, 2008).

Addison's disease affects an average of 4 out of every 100 000 people. It can begin at any age and occurs in both men and women with approximately equal frequency. In 30% of Addison's disease - secondary disease and arises as a consequence of malignant tumors of the amyloid, tuberculosis, etc. In 70% of cases, the cause of this condition is not precisely known, but researchers suggest that the adrenal glands are destroyed by an autoimmune reaction. Adrenal function is suppressed in humans receiving corticosteroids such as prednisone. Cancellation of corticosteroids should be gradual, with a slow reduction in dose. When corticosteroids stopped suddenly after prolonged (a month or more) treatment, the adrenal glands in a few weeks or even months, are unable to produce sufficient amounts of corticosteroids (Ten, 2001).

Some other medications such as antifungal drug ketoconazole (Nizoral, oronazol) may also block the natural production of corticosteroids, leading to their deficit. Deficiency of corticosteroids leads to many abuses. One of them is the fact that the body takes too much sodium and too little potassium, resulting in sodium content in the blood decreases, and potassium, respectively, increases. The kidneys cannot concentrate urine, so when a person with a deficiency of corticosteroids drinking too much water or losing too much sodium, sodium levels in the blood decreases. Inability to concentrate urine ultimately causes excessive urination and dehydration. With severe dehydration and low sodium reduced blood volume, and in severe cases, shock may develop. Deficiency of corticosteroids also increases sensitivity to insulin - the hormone that normally circulating in the blood, so blood sugar levels can drop dramatically. With a deficit of corticosteroids in the body breaks down carbohydrates in the formation of proteins, increased susceptibility to infections and slow healing of wounds. Decreases muscle tone including tone of the heart muscle, and heart force is reduced (Stewart, 2003).

To compensate for the lack of corticosteroids, pituitary gland produces more adrenokortikotroption, a hormone that stimulates the adrenal glands are normal. Adrenocorticotropic hormone influences the production of melanin; people with Addison's disease often develop excessive pigmentation of the skin and mucous membranes of the mouth, usually in the form of spots. It occurs in people with dark skin, although, in this case, the color change can be difficult to recognize. Excessive pigmentation does not occur in adrenal insufficiency, caused by damage to the pituitary or hypothalamus, when major violations are associated with deficiency of adrenocorticotropic ...