Suprarenal insufficiency is a dysfunction of the adrenal glands, which are located in the abdomen above the kidneys and are responsible for secreting hormones that enable the body to respond to stressful situations.
This disorder can occur suddenly or slowly and progressively. The causes are Addison's disease due to an infection or an autoimmune reaction against the gland, and septic shock due to a severe infection in the body and a sharp drop in the consumption of glucocorticoids and/or mineralocorticoids.
The most common symptoms are weakness, fatigue, loss of appetite (anorexia), abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation, fever, and muscle and joint pain.
The diagnosis is made by taking a medical history and performing a physical examination. It is confirmed by a blood test to determine baseline cortisol levels, an ACTH test, etc.
Treatment is based on pharmacological replacement of glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids and management of symptoms.
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