Aldosterone and Hormone Replacement Therapy and Renal Dialysis
Aldosterone and Hormone Replacement Therapy
Aldosterone falls in the class of hormone called mineralocorticoids, produces by the adrenal glands and is found near the kidneys. It sustains blood pressure, water and salt balance within the body. This procedure is assisting the kidneys to preserve sodium and excrete potassium in order to maintain a balance. If Aldosterone production falls, there isn’t enough regulation of salt and water balance (as aldosterone is being lost through urination) triggering blood pressure and blood volume to decline as a result of the kidneys not functioning properly. If body is in need of salt, water is not retained and adrenals release more Aldosterone and salt is reabsorbed from the tubule.
Addison’s disease is a hormonal disorder that affects all age groups, both male and female. The disease is categorised depending on the individual, this may include; weight, low blood pressure darkening of skin etc. When an insufficient amount of the hormone, cortisol and some cases the hormone aldosterone is being produced from the adrenal glands, it causes the Addison’s disease to occur. Cortisol helps maintain blood pressure and cardiovascular function, slows immune systems inflammatory response, breaks down sugar for energy (balancing insulin levels) and helps regulate metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. The brains hypothalamus glands control and accurately balance the amounts of cortisol needed.
Symptoms of Addison’s disease are slow and progressive but if left untreated may become fatal. Worsening fatigue and muscle weakness, loss of appetite and weight loss are characteristic for this illness. In 50% of cases nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea are present. Skin changes are common – this is when certain areas of the skin (exposed or non-exposed) darken, most common on pressure points. Irritability and depression, salty food cravings, low blood sugar (usually in children) and irregular or no periods, for women, may occur.
Aldosterone falls in the class of hormone called mineralocorticoids, produces by the adrenal glands and is found near the kidneys. It sustains blood pressure, water and salt balance within the body. This procedure is assisting the kidneys to preserve sodium and excrete potassium in order to maintain a balance. If Aldosterone production falls, there isn’t enough regulation of salt and water balance (as aldosterone is being lost through urination) triggering blood pressure and blood volume to decline as a result of the kidneys not functioning properly. If body is in need of salt, water is not retained and adrenals release more Aldosterone and salt is reabsorbed from the tubule.
Addison’s disease is a hormonal disorder that affects all age groups, both male and female. The disease is categorised depending on the individual, this may include; weight, low blood pressure darkening of skin etc. When an insufficient amount of the hormone, cortisol and some cases the hormone aldosterone is being produced from the adrenal glands, it causes the Addison’s disease to occur. Cortisol helps maintain blood pressure and cardiovascular function, slows immune systems inflammatory response, breaks down sugar for energy (balancing insulin levels) and helps regulate metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. The brains hypothalamus glands control and accurately balance the amounts of cortisol needed.
Symptoms of Addison’s disease are slow and progressive but if left untreated may become fatal. Worsening fatigue and muscle weakness, loss of appetite and weight loss are characteristic for this illness. In 50% of cases nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea are present. Skin changes are common – this is when certain areas of the skin (exposed or non-exposed) darken, most common on pressure points. Irritability and depression, salty food cravings, low blood sugar (usually in children) and irregular or no periods, for women, may occur.
Bibliography: Brotherton J. & Mudie K. (2010), Heinemann Biology HSC, Pearson Australia. Victoria Corrigan E National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (2013) Hormone Replacement Therapy. Retrieved December 19, 2012, from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/hormonereplacementtherapy.html NIDDK, Adrenal Insufficiency and Addison 's Disease Barrett-Connora E. and Stuenkelb C. A., (2001), Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)— risks and benefits. Retrieved December 19, 2012, from, http://ije.oxfordjournals.org/content/30/3/423.full A.D.A.M., Inc., Addison’s disease