Resources for Health Care Providers
Resources for Health Care Providers
Adrenal insufficiency, or AI, is a medical condition in which the. adrenal glands cannot produce glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids to respond to stressors such as illness and injury.
Patients with AI need to take daily replacement steroids to compensate for their lack of natural supply. During periods of stress, their daily doses is doubled or tripled. This is referred to as stress-dosing.
An emergency supply of steroids must be available for use in the event of vomiting, illness, diarrhea, high fever, altered consciousness/confusion, or trauma. Otherwise symptoms can worsen into an Adrenal Crisis which can cause death.
It is important for the field medic to anticipate the changing nature of an adrenal crisis and respond proactively, following the proper protocols.
Do not wait until the patient has deteriorated before providing steroids. Hypoperfusion, organ damage, and death can result from delays.
It is important for the field medic to anticipate the changing nature of an adrenal crisis and respond proactively, following the proper protocols.
During our first conference in 2018 the following two sessions were recorded. These training sessions are presented and moderated by Kurt Midyett, MD.Dr. Midyett is an endocrinologist at the Midwest Pediatric Specialist in Overland Park, Kansas. He is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine.Thank you Dr. Midyett for your excellent presentation!