Addisonian crisis: Difference between revisions
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(New page: What is it? An acute episode of adrenal insufficiency. That means the adrenal glands stop producing cortisol. This leads to, amongst other things, you having no blood pressure,...) |
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What is it? | [[image:emergency.gif|left]]'''[[Medical Emergency]] - [[Addisonian crisis]] is an emergency that needs sorting to prevent death from shock!''' | ||
===What is it?=== | |||
An acute episode of [[adrenal]] insufficiency. That means the adrenal glands stop producing [[cortisol]]. This leads to, amongst other things, you having no [[blood pressure]], and having no [[blood sugar]]. | An acute episode of [[adrenal]] insufficiency. That means the adrenal glands stop producing [[cortisol]]. This leads to, amongst other things, you having no [[blood pressure]], and having no [[blood sugar]]. | ||
===How does it present?=== | |||
Patients are in [[shock]], or perhaps just bad postural hypotension. May also be [[hypoglycaemic]]. | |||
Classically presents in: | |||
#Patients with known [[Addison's disease]]. | |||
#Patients on long term [[steroids]] who have forgotten a dose. | |||
#Patients who have been in trauma that has knackered the [[pituitary]], and thus stopped the release of [[ACTH]] | |||
===What do you do?=== | |||
*Sort out the [[shock]]. | |||
*Take [[blood]] for [[cortisol]] and [[ACTH]] | |||
*Give them Hydrocortisone sodium succinate 100mg IV stat. | |||
*Check [[blood sugar]], since that going in to a [[hypoglycaemic coma]] is a bit of a downer. | |||
Latest revision as of 15:53, 30 December 2009
Medical Emergency - Addisonian crisis is an emergency that needs sorting to prevent death from shock!
What is it?
An acute episode of adrenal insufficiency. That means the adrenal glands stop producing cortisol. This leads to, amongst other things, you having no blood pressure, and having no blood sugar.
How does it present?
Patients are in shock, or perhaps just bad postural hypotension. May also be hypoglycaemic.
Classically presents in:
- Patients with known Addison's disease.
- Patients on long term steroids who have forgotten a dose.
- Patients who have been in trauma that has knackered the pituitary, and thus stopped the release of ACTH
What do you do?
- Sort out the shock.
- Take blood for cortisol and ACTH
- Give them Hydrocortisone sodium succinate 100mg IV stat.
- Check blood sugar, since that going in to a hypoglycaemic coma is a bit of a downer.