NURS 3664 Lecture Notes - Lecture 21: Blood Sugar, Adrenal Medulla, Adrenal Cortex
Document Summary
Diverse group of tissues throughout the body that produce and secrete chemical substances that affect other tissues. Cortisol regulates metabolism, respond to stress. Cortisol regulates how body converts fats, protein, carbs to energy. Corticosterone regulate immune response, suppress inflammatory reactions. Cushing"s disease or syndrome too much cortisol. Addison"s disease not enough cortisol or aldosterone. Characterized by excessive levels of cortisol in the blood. Develops most often from taking meds that increase cortisol (always watch with corticosteroids**) Overproduction of cortisol (a glucocorticoid) caused by: Prednisolone (oral prednisone, tricky, can kick into diabetes) Loss of bone matrix osteoporosis and back pain. Loss of collagen thin skin, easily bruises. 24-hour urine cortisol (the levels are fluctuating) Low levels addison or other adrenal disease. Plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (acth) levels (peak 6-8 am/nadir ******* High or normal with cushing disease(pituitary etiology) With ectopic acth syndrome and adrenal carcinoma. Cortisol levels fluctuate throughout the day, have to adjust according to natural levels.
