N212: Health Differences Across the Life Span 2

Health Differences Across the Lifespan 2 Study Guide

©2017 Achieve Test Prep Page 71 of 140 Standard therapy involves intravenous injections of glucocorticoids and large volumes of intravenous saline solution with dextrose (glucose), a type of sugar. This treatment usually brings rapid improvement. When the patient can take fluids and medications by mouth, the number of glucocorticoids is decreased until a maintenance dose is reached. If aldosterone is deficient, maintenance therapy also includes oral doses of fludrocortisone acetate. Hirsutism Hirsutism is the excessive hairiness on women in parts of the body where terminal hair does not normally occur or is minimal. For example, a beard or chest hair. It refers to a male pattern of body hair (androgenic hair) and it is therefore primarily of cosmetic and psychological concern. Hirsutism is a symptom rather than a disease and may be a sign of a more serious medical condition, especially if it develops well after puberty. Hirsutism effects women and sometimes men, since the rising of Addisonian Crisis An Addisonian crisis, or adrenal crisis, includes symptoms that indicate severe adrenal insufficiency. This may be the result of either previously undiagnosed Addison's disease, a disease process suddenly affecting adrenal function (such as adrenal hemorrhage), or an intercurrent problem (infection, trauma) in someone known to have Addison's disease. It is a medical emergency and potentially life-threatening situation requiring immediate emergency treatment. Characteristic symptoms are: • Sudden penetrating pain in the legs, lower back, or abdomen • Severe vomiting and diarrhea, resulting in dehydration • Low blood pressure • Syncope (loss of consciousness and ability to stand) • Hypoglycemia (reduced level of blood glucose) • Confusion, psychosis, and slurredspeech • Severe lethargy • Hyponatremia (low sodium level in theblood) • Hyperkalemia (elevated potassium level in the blood) • Hypercalcemia (elevated calcium level in the blood) • Convulsions • Fever Maintenance: Treatment for Addison's disease involves replacing the missing cortisol, sometimes in the form of hydrocortisone tablets, or prednisone tablets in a dosing regimen that mimics the physiological concentrations of cortisol. Treatment must usually be continued for life. In addition, many patients require fludrocortisone as a replacement for the missing aldosterone. Caution must be exercised when the person with Addison's disease becomes unwell with infection, has surgery or other trauma, or becomes pregnant. In such instances, their replacement glucocorticoids, whether in the form of hydrocortisone, prednisone, prednisolone, or other equivalent, often need to be increased. Advise patients with Addison's to carry information on them (MedicAlert bracelet) for the attention of emergency medical services personnel who might need to attend to theirneeds. Crisis: