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Q What is adrenal insufficiency? |
| A Patients who are unable to
produce enough cortisol to meet their own needs are said to have
adrenal insufficiency. Adrenal insufficiency is a life-threatening, but
readily treatable hormonal deficiency. Adrenal insufficiency can occur
for various reasons. Cortisol deficiency is another term for adrenal
insufficiency. |
| Q What is Addison´s disease? |
| A It is the same as primary adrenal insufficiency. It occurs when the adrenal gland is the source of the inability to produce enough cortisol to meet the body´s needs. |
| Q What does the adrenal gland do? |
| A We have two adrenal glands that are situated just above each kidney. The gland is divided into two separate parts. The adrenal core produces stress hormones (catecholamines, such as adrenaline) as part of the nervous system. The adrenal cortex produces steroid hormones. The most abundant and important is cortisol. The others are aldosterone, a salt-and water conserving hormone, and DHEA, a weak androgen. |
| Q What causes adrenal insufficiency? |
A Primary adrenal insufficiency, also called Addison’s disease, is caused by the gradual destruction of the adrenal cortex by the body’s own immune system. Adrenal insufficiency occurs when at least 90 percent of the adrenal cortex has been destroyed.
About 80 percent of reported cases in the developed world are caused by autoimmune disorders and the numbers are rising with the increase in the incidence of autoimmune diseases. There are other causes of primary adrenal insufficiency, including tuberculosis and defective development of the adrenal glands.
Secondary adrenal insufficiency is more common than primary adrenal insufficiency and occurs when the pituitary and hypothalamus are unable to stimulate and regulate the adrenal glands to produce sufficient amounts of cortisol. The most common causes are benign tumours of the pituitary.
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| Q What symptoms does adrenal insufficiency give? |
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A Cortisol is necessary for the functioning of almost every part of the body, such as glucose and fuel metabolism, immune function, muscle and skeletal function, connective tissue and brain function. It is also central to the body’s ability to prepare for and handle stress, either physical or emotional.
Excesses or deficiencies of this crucial hormone can lead to various physical symptoms and diseases. Lack of cortisol can for example give:
• Low blood sugar
• Low blood pressure
• Decreased appetite and weight loss
• Fatigue and muscle weakness
Deficiency of cortisol leads to ill health that can be life threatening if not treated.
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| Q What is the role of cortisol in the body? |
A Cortisol plays important roles in the regulation of:
• blood pressure and cardiovascular function
• the use of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats
• bone density
• growth
• kidney function
• the immune system
• the effect of insulin in breaking down carbohydrates for energy
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| Q Is adrenal insufficiency a chronic disease? |
| A The chronic forms of adrenal insufficiency (primary and secondary adrenal insufficiency) require life-long therapy. |
| Q How many patients get treated for their AI? |
| A For patients with primary or secondary adrenal insufficiency treatment is essential to survival and well-being. |
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