Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Treat Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia is a genetic condition that affects the adrenal glands. Both males and females suffer from the condition where normal growth is affected. In this disease, the glands don't produce enough cortisol, a hormone necessary for normal growth. Doctors will treat congenital adrenal hyperplasia, but some cases can be fatal for patients.


Instructions








1. Find a specialist to treat congenital adrenal hyperplasia so that access to the latest information and treatment options are available. Most large cities will offer several doctors that specialize in adrenal gland problems, including this one. They will administer tests and work to find the best treatment option for the patient.








2. Medicate children that have congenital adrenal hyperplasia with hormone medications to supplement what their body is or is not producing. In most children, the condition is treated with specific drugs that boost the missing hormone or the hormone not being produced enough, but in some cases, multiple drugs are needed. Monitor for any side effects.


3. Consider reconstructive surgery. This is a common option for patients that have ambiguous external genitalia, especially in girls, which is a result of some forms of congenital adrenal hyperplasia. While it isn't always necessary, this type of reconstructive surgery will improve comfort and self esteem in the child.


4. Work at maintaining the proper doses of medications as the child grows and develops. Some patients who enter adulthood with the most common form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia are able to stop taking medications altogether. Others will need to continue taking the medications as needed.

Tags: adrenal hyperplasia, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, congenital adrenal, adrenal hyperplasia, normal growth, reconstructive surgery, some cases