Adrenal failure - a syndrome caused by primary disturbance of a cortex of adrenals or its secondary changes as a result of decrease of secretion of a corticotropin; it is shown by signs of lowered production of hormones of a cortex of adrenals. Distinguish a chronic and acute adrenal failure.

Etiology, pathogenesis. The primary adrenal failure can be caused by a bacteriemic and fungic infection (a tuberculosis, a zymonematosis, a histoplasmosis, a meningococcal infection, a sepsis), an atrophy of a cortex of adrenals owing to autoimmune processes (it is frequent in a combination to a lesion of other endocrine glands and skins) and other diseases, an amyloidosis, a hemochromatosis, metastasises of a cancer (more often a mammary gland, a lung), use of some medical products.

Signs, current. For a primary chronic failure the constant muscular delicacy amplifying after an exercise stress, decrease of mass of a body, a hyperpegmentation of integuments of the face, a neck, palmar cords, axillary areas, perineums are characteristic. Nevuses pigmentosus on mucosas (an internal surface of cheeks, tongue, a firm palate, gums, the vagina, a rectum) have bluish-black painting. Arterial pressure is usually lowered, sometimes normal, can be raised at a combination to an essential arterial hypertensia. Gastrointestinal frustration (depression of appetite, a nausea, a vomiting, an abdominal pain, a liquid feces) are almost always expressed.