Acute Adrenal Crisis Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment

What Is Acute Adrenal Crisis?

Acute adrenal crisis is a serious condition which arises due to the deficiency of a hormone called cortisol. In addition to this, adrenal glands are responsible for producing cortisol.

What Are The Alternate Names Of Acute Adrenal Crisis?

The condition, acute adrenal crisis is also known by the following names:

Acute adrenal insufficiency.
Addisonian crisis.
Adrenal crisis.

What Are The Symptoms Of Acute Adrenal Crisis?

Few common symptoms of acute adrenal crisis are:

Light-headedness.
Dizziness.
Headache.
Flank pain.
Abdominal pain.
Vomiting.
Excessive sweating especially on your palms or face.
Sluggish, slow movement.
Rapid respiratory rate.
Rapid heart rate.
Profound weakness.
Nausea.
Hypotension.
Loss of consciousness.
Loss of appetite.
High fever.
Fatigue.
Dehydration.
Coma.
Confusion.

When Should One Consult A Doctor?

In case of noticing a combination of the above mentioned symptoms, do not delay to seek medical assistance.

What Causes Acute Adrenal Crisis?

Adrenal glands are positioned right above your kidneys. They consist of:

Outer portion: known as cortex, makes corisol. It is a significant hormone our body needs to control blood pressure.
Inner portion: known as medulla, makes adrenaline. It is a hormone which releases in reaction of stress.

Pituitary gland is responsible for regulating the production of cortisol. It is a tiny gland positioned under your brain, behind the nose. The gland releases a hormone called adrenocorticotropic, ACTH, which sources your adrenal glands for releasing cortisol. Whereas the production of adrenaline is controlled by circulating hormones and nerves coming from the spinal cord and brain.

In addition to this, adrenal crisis tend to arises due to any of the following factors:

Injury of pituitary gland, which affect the release of ACTH.
Damage of adrenal gland because of surgery or Addison disease.
If adrenal insufficiency is left untreated.

What Are The Risk Factors Of Acute Adrenal Crisis?

A number of factors identified for increasing the risks of acute adrenal crisis are:

Trauma.
Surgery.
Injury to pituitary gland or adrenal gland.
Infection.
Dehydration.

What Are The Possible Complications Of Acute Adrenal Crisis?

Outlook is particularly good in case treatment of acute adrenal crisis is pursued on time. However; if prompt treatment is not taken, the condition can lead to some serious complications, which include:

Seizures.
Coma.
Hypoglycemia.
Shock.

How Is Acute Adrenal Crisis Diagnosed?

Few tests your doctor can suggest to diagnose the condition are:

Serum pH.
Serum sodium.
Serum potassium.
Blood sugar.
Cortisol level.
ACTH stimulation test.

How Is Acute Adrenal Crisis Treated?

An individual with acute adrenal crisis require instantaneous hydrocortisone injection through muscle or a vein. In case the patient has low blood pressure, than he or she will receive fluid intravenously.