Adrenal insufficiency: symptoms and signs

Insufficiency of the adrenal cortex is a syndrome called hypocorticism and manifested by a lack of hormones that must be synthesized by these glands. Let's look at the symptoms and causes of this condition. Adrenal disease in any case, a heavy stress for the body. It is important to understand what it can become complicated and in time to try to prevent it. Let's consider such characteristic signs of hypocorticism as hyperpigmentation of the skin and mucous membranes.

Adrenal insufficiency: symptoms and general information about the disease

It is important to immediately indicate that this disease is acute and chronic. Chronic insufficiency can also be divided into two types. Primary is called Addison's disease and occurs as a result of destruction of the gland tissue. Such adrenal insufficiency, the symptoms of which can be seen in the photo, is manifested only if less than fifteen percent of the tissue functions. Secondary is a consequence of diseases of the brain, in which the hypothalamus or pituitary gland (tumors, trauma, intoxications) is damaged. After all, these glands control the activity of the adrenal glands. Predisposing factors of Addison's disease: severe infections, amyloidosis, atrophy of the adrenal cortex. The latter is a consequence of autoimmune process with the formation of antibodies to the body's own tissues. Chronic secondary adrenal insufficiency, the symptoms of which are almost the same as those of the primary, can develop gradually. Acute addisonic crisis - a condition that requires urgent care. It can develop with a sharp discontinuation of hormones, after removal of the adrenal glands, as well as against a background of chronic insufficiency. This condition can also be a consequence of birth trauma, infections, hemorrhages with abdominal and breast traumas, peritonitis, burns. With it, there is a rapid drop in the level of corticoids in the blood, and the body loses its ability to adapt to stress.

Adrenal insufficiency: symptoms and their description

Hypocorticism gives a very strong hyperpigmentation of the mucous membranes and skin. It happens gradually. At first, dark areas of the body darken, which are irradiated by the sun, such as the skin of the face, hands. Then those parts of the skin that are normally significantly pigmented: nipples, perineum, armpits. A characteristic feature of hypocorticism is the darkening of the folds on the palms. It is clearly visible against the background of light areas of the skin. The color of the pigmented covers can be either a light coffee-like tint, similar to a natural tan, and very dark - bronze, smoky. Mucous membranes of the mouth, tongue, rectum, vagina become blue-black. In addition, patients have vitiligo (only with autoimmune hypocorticism), they lose weight, experience constant weakness and irritability. They have decreased sexual desire, lethargy, depression, disability, arterial hypotension, syncope, digestive disorders.