Adrenal

Adrenal glands - paired organs of internal secretion, located above the kidneys. Each adrenal gland consists of an inner medulla and outer cortex, which are two different origin, structure and function of the gland.

In the medulla produced catecholamines, which include adrenaline, noradrenaline and dopamine. They have a marked effect on carbohydrate, fat and electrolyte (salt) exchange involved in the regulation of the cardiovascular system affect the excitability of the nervous system and the smooth muscle contractile function of internal organs and blood vessels.

In the cortex of the adrenal glands produce corticosteroids, which are divided into mineralocorticoid hormones (they help to maintain the correct water-salt metabolism) and glucocorticoid hormones that are involved in the regulation of the main types of exchange in almost all tissues of the body, and together with other hormones provide a constant internal environment of the human body. The adrenal cortex also synthesized some of hormones: female (estrogens) and male (androgens).

Adrenal hormones cortisol

Cortisol or hydrocortisone - a adrenocortical hormone which was first isolated and described in 1937. According to the chemical nature of cortisol is a steroid (ie, derived from the basic material to all steroids - cholesterol). Cortisol is synthesized under the influence of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which is produced by the pituitary gland (the main endocrine gland located in the brain). The pituitary gland, in turn, is influenced by the area of ​​the brain called gipotelamusom.

Cortisol circulates in the blood in a free form, in the form of complexes with proteins, as well as in a form associated with the erythrocytes (red blood cells). Biologically active is only the free cortisol is decomposed into a number of metabolites which are then excreted in the urine and feces.

Options cortisol

Free cortisol affects many physiological and metabolic processes by regulating the synthesis of cellular enzymes. It stimulates protein synthesis in the liver, but it inhibits the lymphatic system (this affects the formation of lymph node Lymph nodes - what keeps our immune system   immune notches - immunity under the influence of cortisol is reduced). Positive effect on the formation of glycogen in the liver, increases the amount of sodium in the blood (contributes to the formation of edema) and reduces the amount of potassium, which can adversely affect the heart. It also reduces the absorption of calcium in the intestines, promoting its release from the bone and increasing its excretion by the kidneys, resulting in the bones become brittle, often break (phenomena of osteoporosis).

Change of cortisol in the blood

Elevated cortisol leads to the development of the disease Cushing's. At the same time a person has weakness, fatigue, depression, edema, disrupted the activities of the cardiovascular system, increases blood pressure. The patient has the characteristic appearance of obesity in the body and face (face lunate) combined with lean limbs. Women begins male pattern body hair due to increased production of male hormones by the adrenal glands.

Low levels of cortisol can cause adrenal insufficiency (Addison's disease). Symptoms of Addison's disease: weakness, fatigue, weight loss, increasing skin pigmentation (from tan to bronze), nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain Abdominal pain: Types and Symptoms . The body loses sodium and potassium accumulates. Without treatment, these patients may begin crisis, in which all signs of the disease aggravated, convulsions, then the patient loses consciousness and falls into a coma.

Preparations cortisol

Cortisol and some of its synthetic analogs have strong anti-inflammatory and desensitizing (rented allergic reactions) actions. Their use in the treatment of diseases such as systemic connective tissue diseases (scleroderma, lupus erythematosus, etc.), endocrine disease, severe inflammatory diseases and others.

Preparations cortisol suppress the immune system, including suppressed the formation of antibodies. This is used in the treatment of various allergic diseases such as bronchial asthma, allergic skin diseases, and so on.

Increased cortisol under the excitability of nerve and muscle tissue and blood pressure allow the use of this drug for emergency use in shock.

Synthetic analogues of cortisol (Prednisolone, dexamethasone Dexamethasone - one of the most effective glucocorticosteroids   et al.) have many times greater antiinflammatory activity than the hormone itself, less holding body sodium and water, which reduces the amount of side effects.

Side effects caused by drugs of cortisol

With prolonged use of these drugs may develop diabetes Diabetes - threatening and incurable disease , Obesity, ulcers in the stomach and intestine, immunosuppression.

Cease the introduction of these drugs gradually, with the abrupt cancellation of the patient may develop adrenal insufficiency, it is called a withdrawal syndrome.

Cortisol - one of the most active hormones in the body, so the use of drugs in this group can have both expressed a positive or negative impact.

Galina Romanenko

How to treat mononucleosis in adults

Typically, adult patients with mononucleosis does not require special treatment, as the disease goes away on its own, like many other viral infections.

Sometimes infectious mononucleosis occurs simultaneously with streptococcal pharyngitis Pharyngitis - recommended home treatment . In such cases, the second recommended to treat the infection with antibiotics - penicillin or erythromycin. Ampicillin and amoxicillin mononucleosis when not prescribed, as the probability to 90% of these drugs cause in patients with skin rashes. Previously, such a reaction is often mistaken for an allergy to penicillin antibiotics group.

In most cases, treatment of mononucleosis Treatment for mononucleosis - medicines and folk ways   adults only symptomatic. From the heat and headaches well help paracetamol and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Patients also need to get enough sleep, enough rest and avoid serious physical activity.

Sore throat is usually particularly strong in the first five to seven days of illness, and for the next seven to ten days, it gradually weakens. Increased and painful lymph nodes can take place slowly over three weeks.

Such symptoms of infectious mononucleosis as fatigue and lethargy in adults can persist for several months after the acute phase of the disease.

At least for three to four weeks from the onset of symptoms, patients are advised to avoid contact sports to avoid damaging the enlarged spleen. Rupture of the spleen, which, though rare, but it happens, is a life-threatening condition.

Epstein-Barr virus may be present in the saliva of patients for months after recovery, sometimes - up to 18 months.

The consequences of mononucleosis in adults

Pretty common, but not dangerous consequence of mononucleosis in adults is a mild form of hepatitis, or inflammation of the liver. It rarely requires special treatment, and usually goes away by itself.

Such complications as splenic rupture, fortunately, is rare, and poses a serious threat to human health. Infections of the tonsils, which are sometimes accompanied by mononucleosis, and in some cases lead to the formation of peritonsillar abscess. Another rare complication - severe swelling of the throat, leading to breathing problems.

In addition, there is a small chance of developing such complications of infectious mononucleosis as hemolytic anemia, pericarditis Pericarditis - not a disease but a complication Myocarditis and even encephalitis - inflammation of the brain. In healthy people, these effects of mononucleosis - a rarity. The most aggressive, the disease occurs in patients whose immune system is weakened, for example, due to AIDS, or receiving immunosuppressive drugs. They also increased the likelihood of developing certain types of cancer, which is associated with Epstein-Barr virus.

Prevention mononucleosis in adults

The best way to protect against the virus Epstein - Barr virus is to avoid contact with the saliva of the patient mononucleosis. However, because the virus may be reactivated without causing symptoms, protect against the disease is extremely difficult. In addition, adults are often already infected with the virus, though they do not know it. Those, however, if you live in an apartment with a man ill mononucleosis, do not need to use them with the same utensils, keep toothbrushes Toothbrushes - make no mistake in choosing   in one place, and kiss him until he recovers.

Even more effective security policy is the adoption of measures to strengthen the immune system - this will reduce the likelihood that, if the virus gets into your body, it can cause active infection.