(i)
Scant to absent armpit and pubic hair (especially in women).
(j)
Absence of sweating.
(k)
Severe dental caries.
(3) Treatment. Give steroid medications such as cortisone or
hydrocortisone.
b. Cushing's Disease.
(1) Description. Also called Cushing's syndrome, this is a group of
abnormalities caused by too high a level of adrenocortical hormones.
(2) Signs and symptoms. This condition causes changes in many of the
body's systems. Common signs and symptoms are:
(a) Obesity with a round face ("moon face").
(b) Impotence in the male.
(c)
Weakness.
(d) Backache.
(e) Hypertension.
(f)
Excessive hair growth.
(g) Purple bands (striae), especially around the thighs, breasts, and
abdomen.
(h)
Dental caries (tooth decay).
(3) Treatment. There are three possibilities: irradiation; drug therapy; or
surgery. The type of treatment selected depends on the condition of the individual
patient.
c. Conn's Syndrome (Hyperaldosteronism).
(1) Description. This condition, the adrenal cortex secretes too much
mineral-ocorticoid aldosterone (a steroid in the adrenal cortex that controls salt
metabolism). The result is that the body reabsorbs too much sodium and water, and the
kidneys excrete too much potassium.
MD0583
2-6
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