Congenital adrenal cortex dysfunction is also known to doctors as a congenital adrenogenital syndrome. In recent years, the disease is described more often as "congenital virilizing hyperplasia of the adrenal cortex", which emphasizes the effect of adrenal androgens on the external genitalia.
Hypoaldosteronism is one of the least studied questions of clinical endocrinology. Information about this disease is not available in the manuals and in the textbooks of endocrinology, in spite of the fact that isolated hypoaldosteronism as an independent clinical syndrome is described more than 30 years ago.
Common to all forms of primary hyperaldosteronism is the low activity of renin in plasma (ARP), and different - the measure and the nature of its independence, that is, the ability to stimulate as a result of various regulatory influences. The production of aldosterone in response to stimulation or suppression is also differentiated.
Primary aldosteronism (Connes syndrome) is aldosteronism caused by the autonomous production of aldosterone by the adrenal cortex (due to hyperplasia, adenoma or carcinoma).
Treatment of chronic adrenal insufficiency is aimed, on the one hand, to eliminate the process that caused adrenal damage and, on the other hand, to replace the lack of hormones.
The most common causes of primary destruction of the adrenal glands include autoimmune processes and tuberculosis, to rare - tumors (angiomas, ganglioneuromas), metastases, infections (fungal, syphilis).
There are primary and secondary chronic adrenal insufficiency. The first is caused by the defeat of the cortical layer of the adrenal glands, the second occurs when the secretion of ACTH by the pituitary gland decreases or ceases.
In acute adrenal insufficiency, it is urgent to use replacement therapy with synthetic drugs of gluco- and mineralocorticoid action, as well as to carry out measures to remove the patient from the shock state.
Adrenal or addison crises develop more often in patients with primary or secondary adrenal involvement. Less common in patients without previous adrenal diseases.
Acute adrenal insufficiency is a serious condition of the body, clinically manifested by vascular collapse, sharp adynamy, gradual dimming of consciousness. Occurs when the hormones of the adrenal cortex are suddenly reduced or stopped.
