What are the symptoms of adrenal cortex hormone deficiency

Adrenal cortex hormone is one of the most important hormones in the human body, and the reason for adrenal hormone deficiency is one of the symptoms caused by adrenal cortex dysfunction. The lack of adrenal cortex hormones also has a great impact on human health. It’s just that many people may not know much about it, and if they encounter it, they cannot make a good judgment and make early treatment. So, what are the symptoms of adrenal cortex hormone deficiency?

Adrenal cortical hormone deficiency is one of the clinical manifestations of primary chronic adrenal insufficiency. Due to severe damage to the adrenal glands, the secretion of adrenal cortical hormones including cortisol and aldosterone is affected. The former is more serious and can cause functional disorders of multiple systems throughout the body.

A. Systemic symptoms. Fatigue is an important symptom that appears in the early stage of the disease. As the disease progresses, the degree of fatigue gradually increases. Therefore, severe fatigue, easy fatigue, and difficulty in recovery after rest are common symptoms of Addison's disease.

B. Gastrointestinal dysfunction. There may be loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or diarrhea. Because the patient eats less, his weight decreases significantly. Due to the disorder of water and salt metabolism, the patient often likes to eat salty food.

C. Electrolyte imbalance. Due to the decreased secretion of cortisol and aldosterone, reduced renal sodium retention and potassium excretion function, increased urinary sodium excretion, chronic sodium loss, dehydration, and decreased blood volume, obvious hypokalemia and hyperkalemia may occur in patients with severe illness and insufficient sodium intake.

D. Cardiovascular symptoms. Due to low sodium, dehydration, insufficient blood volume, and reduced cardiac output, Addison's patients often suffer from low blood pressure, dizziness, orthostatic hypotension, and even transient syncope. The heart is often small, and the electrocardiogram may show low voltage, sinus bradycardia, etc.

E. Disorders of sugar metabolism. Due to low cortisol levels, patients lack resistance to various stimuli. Under infection, trauma, surgery, mental stimulation and other stressful situations, they will experience low blood pressure and confusion. In severe cases, acute adrenal insufficiency crisis may occur.

F. Reduced resistance. Due to low cortisol levels, patients lack strong resistance to various stimuli. Under infection, trauma, surgery, mental stimulation and other stressful situations, they will experience low blood pressure and confusion. In severe cases, acute adrenal insufficiency crisis may occur.

G. Others. There may be neurological symptoms such as dizziness, drowsiness, apathy, lack of energy, and memory loss. Male patients may have impotence, while female patients may have menstrual disorders or amenorrhea, loss of pubic and axillary hair, and other manifestations of sexual dysfunction.

After the above introduction, everyone should have a corresponding understanding of the symptoms of adrenal cortex hormone deficiency. No matter what disease it is, the first thing to do when treating it is to understand the symptoms and causes of the disease. Only in this way can we treat it according to the cause and ensure that the disease is treated in a timely manner.