(From my own notes (please correct me if I am wrong))
Catecholamines = hormones made by the adrenal gland, when you experience increased stress. Catecholamines prepare your body for fight or flight.
This increases:
Heart rate
Blood Pressure
Blood Glucose (and increase uptake to muscles)
Bronchodilation- so there is more air in the lungs
Acute Adrenal Insufficiency can occur if the body doesn't make enough steroids.
Signs and symptoms include:
Fatigue
Anorexia
Weight loss and decreased appetite
Hyperpigmentation
Nausea and Vomiting
Hypotension
Salt craving as may be hyponatremic and may have seizures
Treatment:
Oral glucocorticoid/ mineralocorticoid replacement therapy, which may have to be increased in concentration in times of stress, trauma, infection or pregnancy.
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