What Are Symptoms of Adrenal Insufficiency?

The adrenal glands are part of the endocrine system, and are responsible for the production of hormones that affect every organ in the body. Adrenal insufficiency is characterized by the body's insufficient production of these hormones, aldosterone and cortisol. The condition is also known Addison's disease and hypocortisolism, and is commonly diagnosed between 30 and 50 years old; however, symptoms can arise at any age. Prompt medical attention is needed as symptoms occur; left untreated, patients are at risk for serious illness or death.

Common Symptoms

• Onset of adrenal insufficiency symptoms occurs slowly over weeks or months. Darkened skin of the elbows and knees, muscle weakness and pain, joint pain, low blood pressure, salt cravings, loss of appetite, fatigue weight loss, irritability and depression are common signs of this condition.

Treatment for Common Symptoms

• Patients with adrenal insufficiency are prescribed corticosteroids (steroid hormones) to control symptoms of the disease and allow normal living and activities. As vomiting can lead to the inability to hold down oral medications, injected medication may be necessary. Cessation of prescription corticosteroids causes symptoms to return and serious illness or death risks to increase.

Crisis Symptoms

• Acute adrenal failure, called an addisonian crisis, may occur. The symptoms of an addisonian crisis are sudden and include diarrhea, vomiting, high potassium, pain in the back, legs and abdomen, low blood pressure and possible loss of consciousness. An acute adrenal failure can occur at any time; stress, injury, infection and illness are likely triggers of this condition.

Treatment for Crisis Symptoms

• An addisonian crisis is a life-threatening condition---emergency treatment must be sought immediately or death can occur. Patients exhibiting symptoms of this acute condition are administered hydrocortisone, dextrose and saline solution intravenously in an emergency room.

Considerations

• Patients diagnosed with adrenal insufficiencies are advised to wear medical alert jewelry and to keep a medical alert card with them at all times. These identifiers provide emergency medical professionals with the information needed to save the life of an Addison's patient in the event of an accident or sudden illness.