| Hyperaldosteronism | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Aldosteronism[1] |
 | |
| Aldosterone | |
| Specialty | Endocrinology |
| Symptoms | None, headaches, tiredness, muscle weakness, muscle cramps[2] |
| Complications | Heart arrhythmias, heart disease[2] |
| Types | Primary, secondary[2] |
| Causes | Primary: Bilateral adrenal hyperplasia, adrenal adenoma[2] Secondary: Renin-producing tumor, renal artery stenosis, heart failure, pregnancy, cirrhosis[2] |
| Diagnostic method | Suspected based on blood tests, confirmed by urine aldosterone[2] |
| Differential diagnosis | Essential hypertension, Liddle syndrome, syndrome of apparent mineralocorticoid excess[2] |
| Treatment | Lifestyle changes, medications, surgery[2] |
| Medication | Spironolactone, eplerenone, ACE inhibitors[2] |
| Frequency | 10% of people with high blood pressure[2] |
Hyperaldosteronism is the condition of too much aldosterone production.[2] Symptoms may vary from none, to high blood pressure and low potassium.[2] The blood pressure is often difficult to treat and can results in tiredness, headaches, and increased urination.[2] The low potassium can result in muscle weakness, muscle cramps, numbness, and heart arrhythmias.[2] Complications can include heart disease.[2]
It is divided into two types primary and secondary.[2] Primary cases occur due to excess production by the adrenal gland such as with bilateral adrenal hyperplasia or an adrenal adenoma (Conn's syndrome).[2] Secondary cases occur due to excessive activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) such as with renin-producing tumors, renal artery stenosis, heart failure, pregnancy, or cirrhosis.[2] High aldosterone levels result in increased sodium reabsorption by the kidneys.[2] Diagnosis is suspected based on blood tests and confirmed by urine aldosterone.[2]
In primary disease resulting from one adrenal gland, surgical removal is the treatment of choice.[2] In primary disease were both adrenal glands are involved spironolactone or eplerenone together with life style changes, including a low salt diet, is recommended.[2] For secondary disease treatment is directed at the underlying cause.[2] ACE inhibitors are often used to treat high blood pressure and protect the kidneys.[2]
Primary hyperaldosteronism is present in about 10% of cases of high blood pressure while secondary causes are less common.[2] Women are more often affected than men.[2] Primary hyperaldosteronism was first described in 1955 by Jerome W. Conn, an American endocrinologist.[3]
References edit
- ^ "aldosteronism" at Dorland's Medical Dictionary
- ^ 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 Dominguez, A; Muppidi, V; Gupta, S (January 2020). "Hyperaldosteronism". PMID 29763159.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ Clinic, Cleveland (2010). Current Clinical Medicine E-Book: Expert Consult - Online. Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 341. ISBN 978-1-4377-3571-0. Archived from the original on 2021-08-28. Retrieved 2021-02-16.