Aldosteronism

As part of the medical portal YaMedik.net, today, February 20, 2016, we will talk about aldosteronism. Let's look at the symptoms of this disease and methods of treating it. Aldosteronism, hyperaldosterone syndrome, Cushing's syndrome is a group of endocrine diseases that are caused by a long-term increase in hormone production by the adrenal cortex. The most common form of the disease is primary hyperaldosteronism - the presence of a tumor that secretes large amounts of aldosterone, an excessive amount of which interferes with the excretion of potassium in the urine and leads to increased blood pressure.

The disease was discovered quite recently, in the 90s of the last century, but to date more than 25 cases of aldosteronism have been identified. At the moment, most of the known forms are primary hypogonadism. There is secondary aldosterone syndrome - it develops against the background of disruption of the endocrine glands of the adrenal glands (frequent damage to the adrenal part), as well as the relative and absolute inability of the pituitary gland to produce a sufficient amount of ACTH.

**Causes of the development of the disease** The cause of hyperaldesteronism may be heredity, polycystic kidney disease, toxic poisoning, damage to the testicles of the androgen-dependent male part, uncontrolled by the hormones of these organs. In addition, the reasons include head injuries, thermal burns of the abdominal cavity, heavy physical activity (in athletes), taking medications, and a high content of salt water or blood proteins in the daily menu. The disease is often observed in children after severe infections or poisoning, when the adrenal glands produce more aldosterones than usual to compensate. In some patients, hyperaldehyronism can appear at any age due to blockage of aldosterone production channels due to kidney tumors. Moreover, the tumor has a 50% probability of appearing in middle-aged people; it affects the nervous and cardiovascular systems and can cause the growth of adenoma of the paired organ.

Very often, pathology is formed as a result of head injuries - this is when the largest increase in blood pressure and pathological manifestations of hormonal disorders are recorded. Any acute or chronic stress, pressure surges or heart failure can trigger a chain of pathological reactions provoked by aldosterone. In men, this can happen after removal of organs or cessation of gland function, during military operations, or after serious surgical interventions. Even a prolonged myocardial infarction can provoke high blood pressure syndrome, and a stroke can disrupt the secretion of antidiuretic hormone, which regulates the production of aldosterol. To prevent the progression of the disease, it is necessary to detect it at an early stage in order to promptly begin treatment that successfully copes with the symptoms and stabilizes the patient’s health. It will help to identify pathology at an early stage