Emergency Care in Addison's Disease and Cancer

A wasting syndrome characterized by unintentional weight loss, muscle atrophy, and immune dysfunction.

A type of cancer treatment that uses high-energy beams to break chemical bonds in DNA, damaging cancerous cells.

A type of cancer treatment that utilizes the body's immune system to fight cancer. This includes using cytokines, vaccines, and monoclonal antibodies.

A type of cancer treatment that targets specific molecules or pathways involved in cancer growth, minimizing damage to normal cells.

A treatment that aims to replace diseased bone marrow with healthy stem cells, often used for patients with chemotherapy-resistant tumors.

A life-threatening complication of cancer that involves tumor obstruction of an organ or blood vessel.

A form of cancer treatment that blocks the effects of hormones involved in cancer growth. Examples include corticosteroid blockers and estrogen receptor blockers.

A type of cancer treatment that uses drugs to kill rapidly dividing cancer cells.

Cancer cells grow uncontrollably and ignore boundaries between cells. They invade and spread to other tissues, forming tumors.

Normal cells mature and perform a specific function. Cancer cells lack this specialization, taking on multiple functions, making them unpredictable.

A mutation in DNA that causes a cell to become cancerous. This can be caused by exposure to carcinogens.

Carcinogens are substances that can cause cancer. They can be chemical, radiation or viral.

The stage where altered cells begin to rapidly multiply due to exposure to promoters. These accelerators can be hormones, alcohol, or certain dietary components.

Cancers of the blood and blood-forming tissues, like bone marrow.

Cancers that arise from cells lining organs and cavities, such as the skin, lungs, and digestive tract.

Cancers that develop from connective tissues, such as muscle, bone, and blood vessels.

This disorder occurs when the thyroid gland doesn't make enough thyroid hormones.

The most common cause of hypothyroidism. This is an autoimmune disorder where the body's immune system attacks the thyroid.

A sign of hypothyroidism that can be seen in most cases. It can occur with Hashimotos Thyroiditis.

Classic symptoms of hypothyroidism, remember SLOW. It includes fatigue, weight gain, constipation, dry skin, hair loss, and intolerance to cold.

A serious complication of hypothyroidism that can be life-threatening. It occurs when the thyroid hormone levels are extremely low, resulting in a coma like state.

A medication used to treat hypothyroidism. It's a synthetic form of thyroid hormone.

It's a medical emergency, requiring immediate action.

Medications that should be avoided with hypothyroidism. These meds can put patients at risk for myxedema coma.

When taking thyroid hormone replacement medication, this principle is very important. Always take your meds at the same time each day.

A condition linked to hypothyroidism where the brain is affected. Can manifest as memory issues, confusion, and dementia.

A peptide hormone that controls the secretion and absorption of water from the intestines.

The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped organ located in the neck, just below the Adam's apple. Its primary function is to regulate the body's metabolism.

The thyroid gland uses iodine from our diet to produce its primary hormones, T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine). T4 is converted to T3, which is the more active form.

T3 and T4, produced by the thyroid, are crucial for regulating metabolism. They affect heart rate, the sympathetic nervous system, growth, body temperature, fertility, digestion, muscle contractions, and the burning of calories.

Calcitonin, a hormone produced by the thyroid gland, plays a role in calcium metabolism, helping incorporate calcium into bones.

Graves disease is an autoimmune disorder in which the body produces antibodies (TSI) that stimulate the thyroid to overproduce thyroid hormones, leading to hyperthyroidism. This is often a hereditary condition.

Graves disease, a hyperthyroid condition, can lead to protruding eyeballs, double vision, sensitivity to light, and a skin condition called pretibial myxedema, causing redness and swelling on the lower legs and feet.

Thyroid storm is a medical emergency caused by severe hyperthyroidism. It can lead to high fever, rapid heartbeat, confusion, and even coma requiring immediate medical care.

A condition where the blood calcium levels are too low.

A condition where the blood phosphate levels are too high.

A condition that occurs when the parathyroid glands are not working properly, leading to low calcium levels in the blood.

A sign of hypocalcemia where the hand and fingers spasm when the blood pressure cuff is inflated.

A sign of hypocalcemia where tapping lightly on the face causes twitching of the facial muscles.

Small, yellowish-brown glands located on top of the kidneys.

The inner portion of the adrenal glands, which produces hormones like adrenaline.

The outer portion of the adrenal glands, which produces hormones like cortisol.

A life-threatening medical emergency that occurs when the adrenal glands are unable to produce sufficient cortisol. This can be caused by Addison's disease, adrenalectomy, or pituitary gland dysfunction.

A rare tumor in the adrenal medulla that produces excessive amounts of catecholamines, such as epinephrine and norepinephrine.

The primary hormone secreted by the adrenal cortex in response to stress. Cortisol plays a crucial role in regulating blood sugar, blood pressure, and immune response.

A serious condition characterized by severe pain in the abdomen, back, and legs, often accompanied by weakness, dehydration, and potentially loss of consciousness.

Immediate treatment for adrenal crisis includes intravenous administration of Solu-Cortef (hydrocortisone) and fluids (D5NS) to restore hormone balance and hydration.