Conn Syndrome is a rare disease that affects the adrenal glands, which are small triangular glands located above the kidneys, which leads to excessive growth of the hormone aldosterone, increasing blood pressure.
Overproduction of aldosterone causes retention of sodium in the kidneys and increases the excretion of potassium, causing accumulation of water in the body, increased blood pressure and increased blood pH.
The Conn Syndrome has a cure and should be diagnosed early as it is a cause of problems of hypertension that can lead to cardiovascular problems. The endocrinologist is the specialist physician indicated to diagnose and indicate the treatment of this disease.
Treatment of Conn's Syndrome
The treatment of Conn Syndrome aims to control the production of aldosterone, normalize blood pressure and balance sodium and potassium levels in the body.
If excess production of aldosterone is due to a benign or malignant tumor in the adrenal glands, the affected gland should be removed by surgery. This procedure in most cases cures the disease, but some patients may need additional treatment to control blood pressure. By the time of surgery, patients should take diuretics to control sodium and potassium levels in the body and blood pressure.
In cases where the cause of aldosterone production is not possible to be determined or when hyperglycemia of the adrenal glands is present, patients should take spironolactone, which blocks the action of aldosterone, and antihypertensive drugs. In some cases it may be necessary to take medications, such as amiloride or trianterene, to retain potassium in the kidneys.
Symptoms of Conn Syndrome
The symptoms of Conn's syndrome are rare and not very specific, and may be:
- Arterial hypertension;
- Increased urge to urinate;
- Very thirst;
- Weakness;
- Fatigue;
- Paralysis;
- Palpitations;
- Headache;
- Muscle contractures;
- Tingling sensation.
The diagnosis of Conn Syndrome should be made based on typical symptoms of lack of potassium in the body, such as constipation, cardiac arrhythmia or muscle spasms, and elevated blood pressure levels. To complete the diagnosis, a blood test should be done to check the levels of the hormones aldosterone and renin. This latter hormone is produced in the kidneys and stimulates the production of aldosterone in the glands. Renin levels in Conn's syndrome are usually low, while aldosterone levels are very high.
Causes of Conn Syndrome
The main causes of Conn's syndrome are the presence of a benign tumor or cancer in one of the adrenal glands, or the hyperplasia of the two adrenal glands, also called bilateral adrenal hyperplasia, which leads to enlarged glands and overproduction of hormones. Some patients have increased aldosterone production due to genetic problems.
Useful links:
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- Addison: general fatigue sensation
- Treatment for hypertension
