If you take a higher dose than necessary for a long time, there's a risk of problems such as weakened bones osteoporosis , mood swings and difficulty sleeping insomnia. However, bouts of fatigue are also common, and it can take some time to learn how to manage these periods of low energy. Some people find that needing to take regular doses of medication is restrictive and affects their daily life or emotional health.
Missing a dose of medication, or taking it late, can also lead to exhaustion or insomnia. Some people can develop associated health conditions, such as diabetes or an underactive thyroid , which require extra treatment and management.
You'll usually need to have appointments with an endocrinologist every months, so they can review your progress and adjust your medication dose, if necessary. Your GP can provide support and repeat prescriptions in between these visits.
Failing to take your medication could lead to a serious condition called an adrenal crisis, so you must:. You could also inform close friends or colleagues of your condition.
Tell them about the signs of adrenal crisis and what they should do if you experience one. After a serious accident, such as a car crash, a healthy person produces more cortisol.
This helps you cope with the stressful situation and additional strain on your body that results from serious injury. As your body cannot produce cortisol, you'll need a hydrocortisone injection to replace it and prevent an adrenal crisis.
Wearing a medical alert bracelet will inform any medical staff treating you about your condition, and what medication you require.
Medical alert bracelets or necklaces are pieces of jewellery engraved with your medical condition and an emergency contact number.
They are available from a number of retailers. Ask your GP if there's one they recommend, or go to the MedicAlert website. If you need to stay in hospital, the healthcare professionals responsible for your care will also need to know you need steroid replacement medication throughout your stay.
It's important to note that this advice still applies if you're not supposed to eat or drink nil by mouth for any reason. At certain times, your medication may need to be adjusted to take into account any additional strain on your body. For example, you may need to increase the dosage of your medication if you experience any of the following:.
This will help your body cope with the additional stress. Your endocrinologist will monitor your dosage and advise about any changes. Over time, as you get used to the condition and learn what can trigger your symptoms, you may learn how to adjust your medication yourself. However, always consult your GP or specialist if you're unsure.
You and a partner or family member may be trained to administer an injection of hydrocortisone in an emergency. This could be necessary if you go into shock after an injury, or if you experience vomiting or diarrhoea and are unable to keep down oral medication. This may occur if you're pregnant and have morning sickness. Your endocrinologist will discuss with you when an injection might be necessary. If you need to administer emergency hydrocortisone, always call your GP immediately afterwards.
Check what out-of-hours services are available in your local area, in case the emergency is outside normal working hours. You can also register yourself with your local ambulance service , so they have a record of your requirement for a steroid injection or tablets, if you need their assistance.
Adrenal crisis, or Addisonian crisis, needs urgent medical attention. Dial for an ambulance if you or someone you know are experiencing adrenal crisis. In hospital, you'll be given lots of fluid through a vein in your arm to rehydrate you. How is an Addisonian crisis diagnosed?
How is an Addisonian crisis treated? What is the long-term outlook? Read this next. Addison's Disease. Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M. How to Manage a Sickle Cell Crisis.
Sickle Cell Test. Medically reviewed by Karen Gill, M. Medically reviewed by Angelica Balingit, MD. Aldosterone Test. Medically reviewed by Emelia Arquilla, DO. The Chemicals to Avoid in Your Shampoo and Body Wash A new study looks at how chemicals can build up in the body through common exposures.
Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph. Medically reviewed by Marina Basina, M. The adrenal glands are located just above the kidneys. Adrenal insufficiency can be primary, secondary, or tertiary. With treatment, most people with adrenal insufficiency can have a normal, active life. Secondary adrenal insufficiency starts in the pituitary—a pea-sized gland at the base of the brain. The pituitary makes adrenocorticotropin ACTH , a hormone that tells the adrenal glands to make cortisol.
Over time, the adrenal glands can shrink and stop working. Tertiary adrenal insufficiency starts in the hypothalamus, a small area of the brain near the pituitary. Cortisol also helps. Aldosterone helps maintain the balance of the minerals sodium and potassium in your blood.
Overview Addison's disease, also called adrenal insufficiency, is an uncommon disorder that occurs when your body doesn't produce enough of certain hormones. More Information Salt craving: A symptom of Addison's disease? Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Adrenal glands Open pop-up dialog box Close. Adrenal glands Perched atop each of your kidneys, your adrenal glands produce hormones that help regulate your metabolism, immune system, blood pressure and other essential functions.
Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Addison disease. Merck Manual Professional Version. Accessed Oct. Adrenal insufficiency and Addison's disease. Papadakis MA, et al. Endocrine disorders. New York, N. Accessed Aug. Nieman LK. Clinical manifestations of adrenal insufficiency in adults.
Adrenal diseases — Addison's disease. National Adrenal Diseases Foundation.
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