The adrenal gland aldosteroma is a tumor that leads to the appearance of Conn syndrome. This is primary aldosteronism. The main symptoms of adrenal aldosteroma appear in the heart, muscles, and kidneys. The diagnosis is made by getting acquainted with the clinical picture of the disease and the results of MRI, ultrasound, angiography studies. It is noteworthy that in some cases, surgery is recommended for adrenal aldosteroma.
About the disease
Symptoms are due to excessive amounts of the hormone aldosterone. Conn first described her, by his name and called the corresponding syndrome. In approximately 85% of cases, the cause of the disease is adrenal adenoma, and tumors in the thyroid gland and ovaries can also provoke it.
More often than not, the adrenal gland of the left or right is benign, but in 5% of cases it becomes malignant. It is usually detected in people aged 30-50 years. Women are diagnosed with it three times more often than men. In addition, children may also need treatment for adrenal aldosteromas.
About the reasons
The reasons for the development of this disease remain largely unsolved. The same goes for tumors. It is believed that for the most part the adrenal gland aldosteroma - right, left - develops due to hereditary factors.
The disease is diagnosed by a 40-fold increase in the secretion of the hormone aldosterone. It is he who regulates the water-electrolyte metabolism in the body. This leads to the fact that fluid is retained in the body, all kinds of pathologies of internal organs develop. At the same time, renin in the blood is not active.
As a rule, in the diagnosis of adrenal aldosteroma, a small tumor 1-3 cm in size is detected. It is surrounded by connective tissues. If it is benign, this is combined with atrophy of the cortex of this organ. The tumor grows very quickly, sometimes metastases also occur. As a rule, adrenal aldosteroma is solitary. Only in 6% of cases multiple variation occurs. The structure of these tumors is heterogeneous.
Symptomatology
The clinical picture of the disease manifests itself in the cardiovascular system, in the muscles, and in the kidneys. Malfunctions in the heart are caused by edema of the vascular walls, narrowing of the lumen in the vessels. Also, the disease is accompanied by migraine, cardialgia, myocardial dystrophy, fundus changes.
Muscle deficiency of potassium and magnesium. Dystrophic changes occur. A person experiences rapid fatigue, he has weakness in the muscles. He also suffers from cramps. Adrenal gland aldosteroma is accompanied by hypokalemic crises, vomiting, and visual impairment. Sometimes there are bouts of flaccid paralysis. Also, a consequence of the disease is sometimes a stroke. Adrenal gland aldosteroma contributes to the appearance of disorders in the kidneys. Symptoms are supplemented by thirst, excessive urination. If the disease is chronic, glucose tolerance is impaired.
If the tumor is malignant, the clinical picture is accompanied by pain in the abdominal region, fever, signs of intoxication. In approximately 10% of cases, the disease proceeds without symptoms.
Diagnostics
Diagnose the disease according to the results of laboratory tests. Functional tests are mandatory. 14 days before the test, the patient stops taking antihypertensive drugs. An ultrasound of the adrenal gland reveals a pathological change in these organs. MRI and CT are necessary to determine the exact size of the tumor, as well as its location.
In the results of a general urinalysis, an alkaline reaction appears, sometimes an increase in potassium excretion is noted. In blood biochemistry, hypokalemia is detected. To diagnose the disease, a march test is required.
Treatment
Clinical recommendations for adrenal aldosteroma include tumor removal. Before surgery for 7-10 days a person must adhere to a diet. The diet contains a reduced amount of sodium. Potassium chloride-based drugs are used.
To prevent the disease, glucocorticoid treatment is used. After surgery, the electrolyte level is examined. An ECG is mandatory.
After removal of the tumor in approximately 50-70% of cases, blood pressure normalizes. Conservative treatment is used. If the tumor is benign, the prognosis is always favorable. But if the tumor is malignant, the prognosis is likely to be unfavorable.
a brief description of
In 5% of cases, the left and right adrenal glands are diagnosed with aldosteroma at the same time. Most often, benign tumors are detected. Usually the eyes and the cardiovascular system are affected.
Although there are no exact factors determining the development of pathology, doctors believe that with diseases of the endocrine system, adrenal adenoma, and a weak immune system, the risks of encountering the disease increase. Also at risk are people with hormonal disorders.
Symptoms of a tumor of this type are very diverse. To understand them, they are divided into groups depending on the internal organs affected by the pathology.
A malignant tumor leads to the development of fever, the appearance of pain, general weakness, excessive sweating. And only in 10% of cases the pathology proceeds without any symptoms, which leads to difficulties in diagnosis and treatment.
Effects
If the patient does not receive proper therapy for a long time, the disease provokes many life-threatening consequences. One of them is diabetes, the reasons lie in the fact that cells become more sensitive to glucose. Irregularities in the synthesis of insulin also occur.
The second dangerous consequence is a stroke. The thing is that the disease leads to an increase in blood pressure. The third consequence is renal failure. This happens due to damage to the kidneys directly, the symptoms by which patients notice a violation of this kind are swelling, intoxication of the whole organism.
The next complication is hypokalemic crisis. And this is one of the most dangerous consequences. Accompanied by a crisis of migraine, bouts of nausea, and sometimes vomiting. In cases where the patient does not receive timely assistance, he falls into a coma. Often, the disease is fatal.
The main manifestation of the disease is a decrease in visual acuity, and the complication in this case is complete blindness. Aldosteroma is considered a dangerous disease. For this reason, it is extremely important to provide the patient with medical care on time. As soon as a person notices a drop in blood pressure, suffers from general weakness, frequent urination, headache, heart pain, he should pay close attention to these phenomena: these are the symptoms of adrenal aldosteroma. It is important to see a doctor right away.
Prevention
Prevention of adrenal aldosteroma without fail includes intense exercise. It is necessary to constantly measure the level of blood pressure, and if there are deviations from the norm, it is important to identify the causes of the differences. It will be necessary to control the condition of the liver and kidneys.
Timely detection of high levels of the hormone aldosterone will significantly improve the prognosis of the treatment of such diseases. Its level is revealed during blood tests.
The most effective measure in the prevention of aldosteroma is considered a regular examination by doctors. Especially close attention to these procedures should be given to those whose relatives have already suffered from similar tumors.
After all, at the moment it is believed that due to a genetic predisposition, aldosteroma occurs. The thing is the lack of additional knowledge about the causes of the development of pathology. The mechanism of its appearance is still being studied by doctors.
In cases where a tumor in the kidney has already been diagnosed, its rapid removal is necessary. This is the best prevention of malignancy.
Lowering the potassium content, which is caused by the primary symptoms of the disease, in many ways makes it difficult for the patient to do physical labor. Sometimes it can be difficult for a person to play sports for this reason. But physical activity in fact he needs.
Physical activity
It is recommended that patients choose group exercises. This in most cases reduces the risk of severe muscle weakness. If the patient suddenly feels weak, the reasons lie in the low potassium content. It is important that there is a person next to him who will help him and will monitor the patient's condition after the fall.
Moderation of physical activity is necessary. The number of exercises aimed at maintaining balance is reduced. The number of approaches with weight lifting is reduced.
The best solution in this case is physical therapy in specialized physical therapy rooms in the presence of a doctor.
The gymnastics complex for such patients is made in the likeness of exercises for those suffering from atherosclerosis, heart failure. You will need to perform the complex on a regular basis. It is worth saying that this will lead to the healing of the whole organism and will positively affect the patient's condition.
Conclusion
It is important to note that no drugs offered by alternative medicine will help in this case. The only way to get rid of adrenal aldosteroma is to remove the tumor. For this reason, trying to stop the manifestations of the disease yourself is dangerous. This only leads to a protracted course of the disease, and as a result, it becomes much more difficult to treat it.