Congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency
Our body has many tiny factories (organs) that help us stay healthy. One of these factories is called the adrenal gland. The adrenal gland makes many important things that help us grow, keep our hearts beating, and keep our bodies healthy.
Sometimes, a person can be born with a problem where their adrenal gland doesn't work how it's supposed to. One of the most common problems is called "congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency." Let's break down what that means:
"Congenital" means that the problem is something you are born with.
"Adrenal" refers to the tiny factory that's not working properly - the adrenal gland.
"Hyperplasia" means that the adrenal gland makes too much of something that it shouldn't.
And "21-hydroxylase deficiency" means that there is something wrong with a specific part of the adrenal gland that makes special hormones called "cortisol" and "aldosterone."
Basically, if someone has this condition, their body doesn't make enough cortisol and aldosterone (which are really important hormones). Instead, their body makes too much of some other hormones that can cause problems like abnormal growth, high blood sugar, and high blood pressure.
People with congenital adrenal hyperplasia may need to take special medicine to help their body make the right hormones. It's important that they see a doctor who can help them stay healthy and make sure their body is working the way it should be.
Sometimes, a person can be born with a problem where their adrenal gland doesn't work how it's supposed to. One of the most common problems is called "congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency." Let's break down what that means:
"Congenital" means that the problem is something you are born with.
"Adrenal" refers to the tiny factory that's not working properly - the adrenal gland.
"Hyperplasia" means that the adrenal gland makes too much of something that it shouldn't.
And "21-hydroxylase deficiency" means that there is something wrong with a specific part of the adrenal gland that makes special hormones called "cortisol" and "aldosterone."
Basically, if someone has this condition, their body doesn't make enough cortisol and aldosterone (which are really important hormones). Instead, their body makes too much of some other hormones that can cause problems like abnormal growth, high blood sugar, and high blood pressure.
People with congenital adrenal hyperplasia may need to take special medicine to help their body make the right hormones. It's important that they see a doctor who can help them stay healthy and make sure their body is working the way it should be.
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