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Adrenal insufficiency is a condition in which the adrenal glands do not produce adequate amounts of steroid hormones, primarily cortisol; but may also include impaired production of aldosterone (a mineralocorticoid), which regulates sodium conservation, potassium secretion, and water retention. Craving for salt or salty foods due to the urinary losses of sodium is common. Addison's disease and congenital adrenal hyperplasia can manifest as adrenal insufficiency. If not treated, adrenal insufficiency may result in severe abdominal pains, vomiting, profound muscle weakness and fatigue, depression, extremely low blood pressure (hypotension), weight loss, kidney failure, changes in mood and personality, and shock (adrenal crisis). An adrenal crisis often occurs if the body is subjected to stress, such as an accident, injury, surgery, or severe infection; death may quickly follow.〔 Adrenal insufficiency can also occur when the hypothalamus or the pituitary gland does not make adequate amounts of the hormones that assist in regulating adrenal function.〔〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Dorlands Medical Dictionary:adrenal insufficiency )〕 This is called secondary or tertiary adrenal insufficiency and is caused by lack of production of ACTH in the pituitary or lack of CRH in the hypothalamus, respectively.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency: Adrenal Disorders: Merck Manual Professional )〕 ==Types== There are three major types of adrenal insufficiency. * Primary adrenal insufficiency is due to impairment of the adrenal glands. * * 80% are due to an autoimmune disease called Addison's disease or autoimmune adrenalitis. * * One subtype is called idiopathic, or of unknown cause. * * Other cases are due to congenital adrenal hyperplasia or an adenoma (tumor) of the adrenal gland. * Secondary adrenal insufficiency is caused by impairment of the pituitary gland or hypothalamus.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=hypopituitary )〕 The most common cause in the United States is exogenous steroid use. Other causes are a pituitary adenoma or microadenoma (which can suppress production of ACTH and lead to adrenal deficiency unless the endogenous hormones are replaced); a hypothalamic tumor; and Sheehan's syndrome, which is associated with impairment of only the pituitary gland. * Tertiary adrenal insufficiency is due to hypothalamic disease and a decrease in the release of corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH).〔http://www.endotext.org/adrenal/adrenal13/adrenal13.htm〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Adrenal insufficiency」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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