부신기능저하증 증상Unable to cope with mental and physical stress
Body imbalance is disrupted, causing fatigue and loss of appetite
If left untreated, it can cause symptoms such as shock and mental confusion
Also associated with endocrine diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure
You must maintain your biorhythm with a regular lifestyle
◇Adrenal glands produce various hormones necessary for the body, such as cortisol
The adrenal glands are located above both kidneys in a cone-like shape and secrete important hormones related to maintaining homeostasis in our body.
Dong Kang Hospital endocrinology specialist Park Chan-ho explained, “The adrenal glands are divided into the inner medulla and the outer cortex. The medulla secretes adrenaline, which plays a role in maintaining blood pressure and nerve activity. The cortex secretes glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids, and sex hormones. In particular, cortisol, a glucocorticoid, is a stress hormone that controls blood sugar, anti-inflammation, and immunity.”
Hypoadrenal insufficiency is a condition in which adrenal hormone secretion is not appropriate. It is divided into primary and secondary adrenal insufficiency depending on the cause.
Dr. Park said, “Primary adrenal insufficiency is a disease caused by direct damage to the adrenal gland itself, such as tuberculosis, autoimmunity, heredity, and tumor metastasis. Secondary adrenal insufficiency is mainly caused by brain damage due to various causes or decreased secretion of adrenal stimulating hormone due to high dose or long-term steroid treatment.”
In particular, among the causes of secondary adrenal insufficiency, drug-induced adrenal insufficiency (steroids) has a high risk of occurrence in patients with chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma and interstitial lung disease, or elderly patients with musculoskeletal diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Dr. Park said, “If accurate diagnosis is delayed and appropriate treatment is not provided, it can lead to shock, mental confusion, decreased consciousness, and death due to serious electrolyte imbalance, and other endocrine diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and osteoporosis can accompany it.”
◇ Hormone replacement therapy is necessary, maintain biological rhythm with regular life
Cortisol secreted from the adrenal gland acts on the immune system to perform various anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive functions. However, when cortisol secretion is reduced, immune function is reduced, leading to repeated upper respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, and various skin diseases.
As a ‘stress hormone’, cortisol increases sugar synthesis and activates metabolism, stimulating muscle, organ, and brain function. Secretion disorders cause various functional disorders such as muscle weakness, fatigue, indigestion, constipation, and memory impairment. It can also cause nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and decreased consciousness by disrupting electrolyte balance.
Adrenal insufficiency is diagnosed through △measuring morning serum cortisol, △rapid adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation test, and △computed tomography.
If diagnosed with adrenal insufficiency, treatment to supplement the deficient adrenal cortex hormones is required. Also, even if your biorhythm is disrupted, your adrenal glands temporarily do not produce hormones properly, so you should consciously take care of your condition by maintaining regular wake-up and bedtimes and supplementing your nutrition through balanced meals.
Dr. Park said, “If you have been diagnosed with adrenal insufficiency, you need to take steroid hormones corresponding to glucocorticoids. In primary adrenal insufficiency, you should also take mineralocorticoids. In stressful situations such as physical injury or infection, you may need to increase the dosage of glucocorticoids or receive injection treatment.”
Finally, he said, “Adrenal insufficiency has recently begun to be known little by little through various media, but it is still an unfamiliar disease, and it is difficult to diagnose if you do not suspect it because the progression pattern and symptoms are diverse. If you experience unexplained fatigue or malaise, or if you have used glucocorticoids for long-term therapeutic purposes, you should definitely receive professional treatment.”
Reporter Seok Hyun-joo hyunju021@ksilbo.co.kr
