Insufficient secretion of the hormone of the adrenal cortex into the blood can occur due to the destruction of their tissues, which occurs both due to autoimmune processes and due to various diseases. Hormones of the adrenal cortex – androgens, aldosterone and cortisol are extremely important for the body, because they control many metabolic processes, regulate the absorption of glucose by tissues, determine the body's response to stressful situations, and perform many more vital functions. The lack of hormones of the adrenal cortex is manifested by characteristic symptoms that help the doctor to diagnose the disease in a timely manner.
Why adrenal hormones are important
One of the key hormones of the adrenal cortex – cortisol. Its production is controlled by the pituitary gland.
The main function of the adrenal hormone cortisol – adaptive, that is, it affects the ability of the human body to adequately respond to injuries, infections, nervous and physical overstrain.
Other properties of cortisol:
- controls the formation of glycogen and affects the sensitivity of tissues to glucose, therefore, with insufficient production of this hormone of the adrenal cortex, energy accumulation decreases, this is manifested by muscle weakness;
- acts on fat metabolism, controlling the accumulation of adipose tissue in various parts of the body;
- contributes to the loss or retention of sodium and water in the body, causing high or low blood pressure;
- regulates potassium metabolism, affecting muscle activity, including heart function.
Aldosterone regulates metabolic processes in the body associated with the absorption of minerals, affects the functioning of the salivary and sweat glands, kidneys and intestines.
Androgens produced by the adrenal glands are especially important for the female body. Their deficiency delays the development of secondary sexual characteristics in girls, and also reduces libido, causes increased dryness of the skin due to insufficient work of the sebaceous glands. An excess of androgens can provoke the virilization of the female body.
How does the lack of hormones of the adrenal cortex
Insufficient production of hormones of the adrenal cortex is divided into acute and chronic, and chronic – in turn into primary and secondary. Acute insufficiency can occur due to hemorrhage in the kidneys caused by trauma to the abdomen or chest, due to an overdose of anticoagulant drugs, exacerbation of autoimmune thyroiditis, during operations, as a consequence of a burn, sepsis, development of peritonitis, and also against the background of a sharp withdrawal of corticosteroid drugs if they were prescribed for treatment.
Factors that cause chronic primary insufficiency are considered to be amyloidosis, certain types of infections (including HIV, tuberculosis), as well as autoimmune processes that lead to the destruction of the adrenal cortex. Secondary insufficiency of the hormone of the adrenal cortex occurs with brain tumors or injuries when the pituitary gland suffers, as well as due to operations on the brain, exposure to radiation therapy, intoxication of the body.
Manifestations of insufficiency of the hormone of the adrenal cortex begin with a feeling & nbsp; increased fatigue in the evening, with frequent colds, with a feeling of weakness after stress.
The progression of adrenal cortex hormone deficiency is manifested by increased muscle weakness – when it is difficult for the patient to move and even speak loudly. The patient loses a lot of weight, complains of strong pigmentation in places where the skin rubs against clothes (in this case, the color of the lips and breast nipples intensifies).
Among the common manifestations of adrenal hormone deficiency, the following should be noted:
- persistent reduction in blood pressure;
- increased heart rate;
- frequent nocturnal urination;
- nausea, vomiting, diarrhea followed by constipation;
- impaired attention, memory, depressive states.
The prognosis of the condition of patients with insufficiency of adrenal cortex hormones depends on how timely measures are taken to restore the level of the missing hormone in the blood, as well as replenish the deficiency of water, potassium, sodium.
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