What does hyperaldosteronism mean?
What does hyperaldosteronism mean?
Hyperaldosteronism is a disorder in which the adrenal gland releases too much of the hormone aldosterone into the blood.
How is hyperaldosteronism treated?
How is hyperaldosteronism treated? The treatment of hyperaldosteronism depends on the cause. If the cause is hyperplasia in both adrenal glands, your doctor may prescribe a drug that blocks the effects of aldosterone. These drugs include spironolactone (Aldactone®), eplerenone (Inspra®), or amiloride (Midamor®).
How can I lower my aldosterone?
Treating hyperaldosteronism focuses on reducing your aldosterone levels or blocking the effects of aldosterone, high blood pressure, and low blood potassium….These include:
- Eating a healthy diet.
- Exercising.
- Reducing alcohol and caffeine.
- Quitting smoking.
Is hyperaldosteronism an autoimmune disease?
Background. Primary hyperaldosteronism is a known cause for secondary hypertension. In addition to its effect on blood pressure, aldosterone exhibits proinflammatory actions and plays a role in immunomodulation/development of autoimmunity.
What is the most common cause of hyperaldosteronism?
Most cases of primary hyperaldosteronism are caused by a noncancerous (benign) tumor of the adrenal gland. The condition mostly affects people 30 to 50 years old and is a common cause of high blood pressure in middle age.
How serious is hyperaldosteronism?
Without proper treatment, patients with hyperaldosteronism often suffer from poorly controlled high blood pressure and are at increased risk for heart attacks, heart failure, strokes, kidney failure, and early death. However, with appropriate treatment, this disease is treatable and has an excellent prognosis.
Can hyperaldosteronism be cured?
Does hyperaldosteronism cause weight gain?
Recent studies indicate that hyperaldosteronism is a much more common cause of hypertension than had been thought historically. This observed increase in hyperaldosteronism has coincided with worldwide increases in obesity, suggesting that the 2 disease processes may be mechanistically related.
How is hyperaldosteronism diagnosed?
Primary hyperaldosteronism is diagnosed by measuring the blood levels of aldosterone and renin (a hormone made by the kidney). To best measure these hormones, blood samples should be drawn in the morning. In primary hyperaldosteronism, the aldosterone level will be high while renin will be low or undetectable.
How do you test for hyperaldosteronism?
The aldosterone to renin ratio (ARR) is the most reliable screening test for primary hyperaldosteronism. This is very easy to do and only requires one tube of blood to be drawn from your arm. Ask your doctor to get a simple blood test to check your plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) and plasma renin activity (PRA).
