부신기능저하증 증상Hypoadrenal insufficiency is a disease that occurs when the adrenal glands located above both kidneys lack hormones due to tuberculosis, autoimmunity, heredity, tumor metastasis, etc. Hypoadrenal insufficiency, also called adrenal insufficiency, is divided into primary adrenal insufficiency caused by problems with the adrenal glands themselves and secondary adrenal insufficiency caused by failure of adrenal glucocorticoid synthesis due to radiation therapy, etc.
The causes of hypoadrenal insufficiency are long-term use of steroids, autoimmune adrenalitis, metastatic cancer, etc. In Korea, tuberculosis is more common. Autoimmune adrenalitis can occur with hyperthyroidism, type 1 diabetes, etc., and can also be accompanied by pernicious anemia, etc.
▶ Fatigue, weight loss… Symptoms of hypoadrenal insufficiency
Symptoms of hypoadrenal insufficiency include constant fatigue and weakness, decreased muscle strength, and muscle and joint pain. Weight loss, loss of appetite, and nausea from eating. There are cases where the stomach hurts and there is diarrhea, but there are no specific symptoms, so more than 50% of patients with adrenal insufficiency often visit the hospital a year after the onset.
Another symptom of adrenal insufficiency is that when a lot of adrenal cortex-stimulating hormone is secreted, a hormone that deposits ‘melanin pigment’ is also produced, causing pigmentation on the skin and gums. Since sex hormones decrease, libido decreases, blood pressure drops, and chronic headaches may occur as sodium ions in the body decrease. Central obesity occurs, where the abdomen becomes fat and the limbs become thinner, and the face becomes round and the blood vessels in the cheeks become enlarged and reddish. The skin becomes thin and bruises easily, so even minor impacts cause bruising, and osteoporosis easily occurs.
In order to prevent adrenal insufficiency, if you have tuberculosis, you should receive urgent treatment, be careful when using steroid treatment, and be careful not to suddenly stop taking the drug if you are using it for a long time.
