Lisämunuaiskriisin

Lisämunuaiskriisi, also known as Addisonin kriisi or akuutti lisämunuaisten vajaatoiminta, is a severe and life-threatening exacerbation of chronic adrenal insufficiency. It occurs when the adrenal glands, located on top of the kidneys, are unable to produce sufficient amounts of cortisol and aldosterone, hormones essential for regulating blood pressure, metabolism, and stress response. This critical state is most commonly associated with Addison's disease, an autoimmune disorder where the body attacks its own adrenal glands. However, it can also arise from other causes of adrenal insufficiency, such as sudden withdrawal from long-term steroid therapy or damage to the adrenal glands from infection or hemorrhage.

The onset of a lisämunuaiskriisi is typically rapid and can be triggered by physiological stressors like infection, surgery, trauma, or severe emotional stress. Symptoms include sudden and severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, dehydration, extreme weakness, low blood pressure (hypotension), confusion, and loss of consciousness. This condition requires immediate medical attention and intravenous administration of corticosteroids, fluids, and electrolytes to stabilize the patient. Prompt recognition and treatment are crucial to prevent fatal outcomes. Without timely intervention, lisämunuaiskriisi can lead to shock, coma, and death. Management involves ongoing corticosteroid replacement therapy and patient education on recognizing and managing potential triggers.