Part 1-Addison’s Disease
Addison’s disease is a rare and serious disorder affecting the endocrine system. Addison’s disease is a disorder in which the adrenal glands which sit on top of the kidneys – do not produce enough of the hormones cortisol and aldosterone (Addison’s Disease, 2019). These hormones are the chemicals that control the function of tissues or organs. Cortisol helps the body respond to stress, including stressors from illness, injury, or surgery. It also helps regulate blood pressure, heart function, the immune system and blood glucose levels. Aldosterone affects the balance of sodium and potassium in the blood. This in turn controls the amount of fluid the kidneys remove as urine, which affects blood volume and blood pressure (Addison’s Disease, 2019).
Addison’s disease is also called “primary adrenal insufficiency.” A related disorder, “secondary adrenal insufficiency,” occurs when the pituitary, a small gland at the base of the brain, does not secrete enough adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which activates the adrenal glands to produce cortisol (Addison’s Disease, 2019).
I chose Addison’s disease because I remember first hearing about it in nursing school. However, in my career I think I have only had one patient who has had it. So honestly I just wanted to refresh my knowledge and learn more.
Part 2-Acromegaly
Acromegaly is a hormonal disorder of the pituitary gland. The gland produces too much growth hormone. Acromegaly a rare condition. The growth hormone effects the body’s tissues and bones so that they grown in abnormal ways.
Children with acromegaly are abnormally tall and is called gigantism. In adulthood height stops increasing. The bones of the feet, hands and face continue to increase. It may take a long time to be recognized. The elevated levels of growth hormone can be serious even life threatening.
Symptoms are excessive sweating , enlarged hands and feet, larger facial bones and tongue, coarse oily skin, pain and limited joint mobility fatigue and muscle weakness.
There are two causes for acromegaly, pituitary tumors or nonpituitary tumors in other parts of the body that cause the disease. Complications can be high blood pressure, high cholesterol, cardiomyopathy, sleep apnea, spinal cord compression and visual changes.
It is important to have early evaluation and treatment to treat acromegaly to prevent premature death. I am interested in this disease because it needs early diagnosis to prevent major complications. I think it is hard for children with this disease who are much bigger than children their own age. Adults often mistake their size for a more mature person. Every child deserves a childhood no matter how tall or large they are.
