The Adrenal Crisis

Cortisol is the stress assisting hormone. It is needed by the body to respond to sickness, like fever, infection, illness, or bodily injury. This very important hormone helps to increase our blood sugar level and blood pressure and aids recovery from sickness.

Aldosterone is the salt retaining hormone. It is needed by the body to control the balance of salt (sodium and chloride), and potassium in the body (go read Homeostasis). Lack of aldosterone can result in low salt levels in the body, as a consequence of excessive loss of vital salts
in the urine. This leads to lethargy, nausea and vomiting, dehydration and low blood pressure.

Adrenal Androgens, the sex hormones, exist in both males and females, and are thought to aid growth during childhood. Too much of this hormone in a female causes virilisation (appearing more like male).

The Adrenal Crisis arises when there is inadequate production of cortisol and aldosterone. The body chemistry, involving the levels of sodium, potassium, and glucose, goes out of balance. The cells in the body cannot function when the sodium levels drop too low and potassium level rises too high. As blood glucose levels fall, the body does not have enough energy to function. When the blood pressure is too low, there is not enough blood and oxygen to the vital organs especially the brain and kidneys. Following this, the person may go into convulsions (fits), or lapse into unconsciousness.

Death can follow .....

unless timely medical assistance
is rendered

The Adrenal Crisis is a very serious medical condition and requires urgent and immediate medical intervention as a life saving measure. People with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia who have vomiting, diarrhea, very high fever and are not able to swallow and retain their medication, must seek treatment immediately.