Causes and risk factors
Adrenal glands are small hormone-releasing organs located on top of each kidney. If the adrenal glands do not produce glucocorticoid hormones like cortisol, then the body’s ability of developing effective immune responses is compromised. Adrenal crisis is caused when the adrenal glands are damaged such as in Addison’s disease and primary adrenal insufficiency or if the pituitary gland is injured or when adrenal insufficiency is not treated properly. Risk factors include individuals suffering from Addison’s disease, dehydration, infection, physical stress, stopping treatment with steroids such as quickly or too early, post-surgery trauma.
Clinical presentation
Patient presents with symptoms such as nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting. There is loss of appetite, fever with chills, headache, joint pain. There can be low blood pressure. There is unusual and excessive sweating of face and palms. Patient complains of weakness, fatigue. Rashes and darkening of skin occurs. An irregularly high heart rate occurs. Loss of consciousness, confusion, or coma can occur.
Investigation
Medical history by the patient and clinical examination by the doctor helps in diagnosis. Blood tests are carried out to determine the adrenal hormone levels – ACTH or cosyntropin stimulation test, cortisol level, fasting blood sugar, serum potassium, serum sodium.
Treatment
People with adrenal crisis need an immediate injection of hydrocortisone. They need hospital treatment and monitoring after reaching emergency room. If infection caused the crisis, one may need antibiotic therapy.
Other Modes of treatment
The other modes of treatment can also be effective in treating adrenal crisis. Homoeopathy is a science which deals with individualization and considers a person in a holistic way. This science can be helpful in combating the symptoms. Similarly the Ayurvedic system of medicine, which uses herbal medicines and synthetic derivates, is also found to be effective in treating adrenal crisis.
