Signs and symptoms of adrenal insufficiency may include fatigue when performing simple tasks, general malaise, weakness, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, decreased blood pressure (hypotension), and glucose levels in the (hypoglycemia), fainting, dehydration, skin darkening, cardiocirculatory shock, and low amount of sodium in the blood plasma.
The low concentration of salt (sodium) in the plasma causes a voracious desire for foods salty as an attempt to compensate for this deficit.
There may also be loss of sexual desire and growth of hair on the body, especially in women. Adrenal insufficiency in women also causes loss of hair in the genital area and underarms.
Acute adrenal insufficiency
The symptoms of adrenal insufficiency usually begin to manifest gradually. However, stressful situations, infectious diseases, trauma, and surgical procedures can cause an acute crisis of adrenal insufficiency that can lead to death if not properly treated.
Chronic adrenal insufficiency
Chronic or severe cases of adrenal insufficiency can cause muscle and joint pain, depression, delusions, memory loss and psychosis.
The signs and symptoms of adrenal insufficiency may be discrete and varied. The manifestations are due to the low production of glucocorticoids or mineralocorticoids and also of the disease itself that gave rise to adrenal insufficiency.
Without treatment, adrenal insufficiency can be fatal, especially in acute cases. Seek out a family doctor, general practitioner or an endocrinologist in the presence of these symptoms.
Learn more at:
Does adrenal insufficiency have a cure? How is the treatment?
Is adrenal insufficiency serious? What are the causes?
