Browse Conditions: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Preventing Adrenal Crisis

To help reduce your chances of having adrenal crisis, take the following steps:

If you are always tired, feel weak, or have had unexplained weight loss, then see your doctor to find out if you have a shortage of adrenal hormones.
If you take hydrocortisone, prednisone, or dexamethasone, learn how to increase your dose if you become ill.
If you have adrenal gland problems and become ill (eg, nausea, vomiting), seek emergency medical care immediately.
If you have adrenal gland problems, make sure you have a hydrocortisone injection with you at all times, and ensure that you and those around you know how to give the injection.
If you have adrenal insufficiency, carry a medical ID card and wear a bracelet that tells emergency workers about your problem.

RESOURCES:

American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists
http://www.aace.com

Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Information Service
http://www.endocrine.niddk.nih.gov

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians
http://www.caep.ca

Canadian Institute for Health Information
http://secure.cihi.ca/cihiweb/dispPage.jsp?cw_page=home_e

References:

Acute adrenocortical insufficiency. DynaMed website. Available at: http://dynamed101.epnet.com/Detail.aspx?style=1&docid=/dynamed/4cf9ed73610f4f6586256b3f004cb2f3 . Accessed December 3, 2006.

Adrenal crisis. Emedicine website. Available at: http://www.emedicine.com/med/topic65.htm . Accessed December 3, 2006.

Adrenal crisis causes death in some people treated with human growth hormone. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases website. Available at: http://www.endocrine.niddk.nih.gov/pubs/creutz/alert.htm . Accessed December 3, 2006.

Bouillon R: Acute adrenal insufficiency. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am . 2006;35:767-75

Omori K, Nomura K, Shimizu S, et al. Risk factors for adrenal crisis in patients with adrenal insufficiency. Endocrine J . 2003; 50:745-52.

Thomas Z: An Update on the Diagnosis of Adrenal Insufficiency and the Use of Corticotherapy in Critical Illness. Ann Pharmacotherapy 2007:41:1456-65

Todd GRG, Acerini CL, Ross-Russell R, et al. Survey of adrenal crisis associated with inhaled corticosteroids in the United Kingdom. Arch. Dis Child . 2002; 87:457-61.

Last reviewed November 2008 by David Juan, MD

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Talk about it in the:
Adrenal Crisis Support Group

Log In

User ID
Password
	Remember Me

	Forget your Password?