Mellékvesedesztrukció

Mellékvesedesztrukció, also known as adrenal destruction, refers to a process where the adrenal glands are damaged or destroyed. This can occur due to various causes, including autoimmune diseases, infections, hemorrhage, or metastatic cancer. The adrenal glands are vital endocrine organs responsible for producing essential hormones like cortisol and aldosterone. When these glands are destroyed, the body's ability to regulate stress response, blood pressure, and electrolyte balance is severely compromised.

The symptoms of mellékvesedesztrukció depend on the extent of damage and which hormones are affected. Acute adrenal insufficiency, also known as an adrenal crisis, is a life-threatening condition that can develop if the adrenal glands are suddenly unable to produce sufficient hormones. Symptoms may include severe fatigue, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and a drop in blood pressure. Chronic adrenal insufficiency, or Addison's disease when caused by autoimmune destruction, develops more gradually and can manifest as weakness, weight loss, skin hyperpigmentation, and salt cravings. Diagnosis typically involves blood tests to measure hormone levels and imaging studies like CT scans or MRIs to assess the adrenal glands. Treatment focuses on hormone replacement therapy to compensate for the lack of endogenous hormone production. This usually involves lifelong corticosteroid medication.