Condition Lookup
Sub-Category:
Adrenal Hyperfunction
Number of Conditions: 3
Cushing’s Syndrome (Excess Cortisol)
Specialty: Diabetes and Endocrinology
Category: Adrenal Disorders
Sub-category: Adrenal Hyperfunction
Symptoms:
weight gain, especially around the abdomen and face; round, moon-shaped face; purple stretch marks on the skin; weakness; fatigue; easily bruised skin; high blood pressure; diabetes; osteoporosis; irritability or depression
Root Cause:
Chronic overproduction of cortisol due to an adrenal tumor, pituitary adenoma (Cushing’s disease), ectopic ACTH secretion, or prolonged use of glucocorticoid medications.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosed through serum cortisol tests, dexamethasone suppression test, and imaging for adrenal or pituitary tumors.
Treatment:
Treated with surgery, medications, or radiation depending on the underlying cause.
Medications:
Medications include ketoconazole (an antifungal with cortisol-lowering effects), mitotane (an adrenal cytotoxic agent), metyrapone (a cortisol synthesis inhibitor), and pasireotide (a somatostatin analog used for Cushing’s disease).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare, with an estimated prevalence of 10–15 cases per million people annually.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Long-term use of glucocorticoid medications, genetic predisposition, or presence of tumors in the adrenal or pituitary glands.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with early treatment, but untreated cases can lead to serious complications and reduced life expectancy.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Hypertension, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, infections, cardiovascular disease, and psychological issues like depression.
Primary Aldosteronism (Conn’s Syndrome)
Specialty: Diabetes and Endocrinology
Category: Adrenal Disorders
Sub-category: Adrenal Hyperfunction
Symptoms:
high blood pressure resistant to standard treatments; low potassium levels; muscle weakness; frequent urination; fatigue; headaches; tingling or cramping in muscles
Root Cause:
Overproduction of aldosterone from an adrenal adenoma (tumor) or bilateral adrenal hyperplasia, leading to excessive sodium retention and potassium loss.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosed by measuring aldosterone-to-renin ratio and adrenal imaging.
Treatment:
Treated with aldosterone antagonists or surgical removal of the affected adrenal gland.
Medications:
Medications include spironolactone or eplerenone (aldosterone receptor antagonists) and amiloride (a potassium-sparing diuretic).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Accounts for 5–10% of all cases of hypertension; more common in individuals with resistant hypertension.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Family history, hypertension, obesity, and age (middle-aged adults are at higher risk).
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent with proper management, but untreated cases may lead to severe cardiovascular and renal complications.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Cardiovascular disease, kidney damage, stroke, and persistent hypertension.
Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma
Specialty: Diabetes and Endocrinology
Category: Adrenal Disorders
Sub-category: Adrenal Hyperfunction
Symptoms:
episodic high blood pressure; headaches; palpitations; excessive sweating; anxiety or panic attacks; tremors; pale skin; weight loss
Root Cause:
Tumors in the adrenal medulla (pheochromocytoma) or extra-adrenal chromaffin tissue (paraganglioma) causing excessive secretion of catecholamines (epinephrine and norepinephrine).
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosed using plasma or urine metanephrines and imaging (CT/MRI).
Treatment:
Treated with surgical resection after preoperative alpha- and beta-blockade.
Medications:
Preoperative medications include phenoxybenzamine or doxazosin (alpha-blockers) and propranolol (beta-blocker) to manage symptoms.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare, with an estimated prevalence of 0.1% in hypertensive patients.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Genetic mutations (e.g., MEN2, VHL, NF1), family history, and age (most common in adults aged 30–50).
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with early surgical treatment, but undiagnosed cases can be fatal due to hypertensive crises.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Cardiovascular complications (stroke, arrhythmias), multi-organ damage, and malignant transformation in rare cases.