Adrenal crisis
Adrenal crisis, also known as Addisonian crisis or acute adrenal insufficiency, is a life-threatening complication of adrenal insufficiency. Hypotension and hypovolemic shock are the main symptoms of an adrenal crisis. Other symptoms include weakness, anorexia, , vomiting, fever, , abnormal electrolytes, confusion, and coma. Laboratory testing may detect low sodium, high , high lymphocyte count, high eosinophils, low blood sugar, and rarely high calcium. The biggest trigger for adrenal crisis is illness. Those with primary adrenal insufficiency are at a higher risk for an adrenal crisis. The physiological mechanisms underlying an adrenal crisis involve the loss of endogenous glucocorticoids' typical inhibitory effect on cytokines.
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Symptoms — what it feels like
- ·Dizziness, somnolence, confusion, loss of consciousness, , vomiting, pain, decreased appetite, extreme exhaustion, unintended weight loss, weakness, hypotension
Causes — why it happens
- ·Adrenal insufficiency, thyrotoxicosis, , , pregnancy,
How it's found
- ·ACTH, basic panel, cortisol
Prevention
- ·Providing intramuscular hydrocortisone at home and using sick day rules
Treatment
- · replacement, fluid resuscitation
Complications
- ·, arrhythmias, organ damage, coma, death
Outlook
- ·6% rate