Spironolactone Health Dictionary

A disorder that results from the excessive production of the hormone aldosterone from one or both adrenal glands. Aldosteronism caused by an adrenal tumour is known as Conn’s syndrome. Aldosteronism may also be caused by disorders, such as heart failure or liver damage, that reduce the flow of blood through the kidneys. Reduced blood flow through the kidneys leads to overproduction of renin and angiotensin, which, in turn, leads to excessive aldosterone production.

Symptoms are directly related to the actions of aldosterone. Too much sodium is retained in the body, leading to a rise in blood pressure, and excess potassium is lost in the urine. Low potassium causes tiredness and muscle weakness and impairs kidney function, leading to thirst and overproduction of urine.

Treatment in all cases includes restriction of dietary salt and use of the diuretic drug spironolactone.

If the cause of aldosteronism is an adrenal tumour, this may be surgically removed.... aldosteronism

Excess fluid in the peritoneal cavity, the space between the 2- layered membrane that lines the inside of the abdominal wall and which covers the abdominal organs.

Ascites may occur in any condition that causes generalized oedema, such as congestive heart failure, nephrotic syndrome, and cirrhosis of the liver. Ascites may occur in cancer if metastases (secondary growths) from a cancer elsewhere in the body develop in the peritoneum. The condition also occurs if tuberculosis affects the abdomen.

Ascites causes abdominal swelling and discomfort. It may cause breathing difficulty due to pressure on the diaphragm. The underlying cause is treated if possible. Diuretic drugs, particularly spironolactone, are often used to treat ascites associated with cirrhosis.... ascites

Enlargement of one or both breasts in the male, due, in some cases, to an excess of the female sex hormone oestrogen in the blood.

Mild, temporary gynaecomastia can occur at birth as a result of maternal hormones, and it is common at puberty.

Gynaecomastia developing in later life may be due to chronic liver diseases such as cirrhosis. Hormone secreting tumours such as pituitary or testicular tumours may also be a cause.

Adult gynaecomastia, which sometimes occurs in only one breast, can also occur when synthetic hormones and some drugs, such as digoxin, spironolactone, and cimetidine, change the balance of sex hormones. Rarely, a discrete lump that develops on one breast may be due to a male breast cancer.

Investigation may involve blood tests. If cancer is suspected, a biopsy will be performed. Treatment depends on the cause. If a drug is responsible, an alternative will be prescribed if possible. If there is no underlying disease, swelling usually subsides without treatment. Cosmetic surgery may be considered in severe cases (see mammoplasty).

H2-receptor antagonists A common abbreviation for histamine2-receptor antagonists, a group of ulcer-healing drugs. (See also cimetidine; ranitidine; famotidine.) habituation The process of becoming accustomed to an experience. In general, the more a person is exposed to a stimulus, the less he or she is affected by it. People can become habituated to certain drugs and develop a reduced response to their effects (see tolerance).... gynaecomastia

n. a drug that increases the volume of urine produced by promoting the excretion of salts and water from the kidney. The main classes of diuretics act by inhibiting the reabsorption of salts and water from the kidney tubules into the bloodstream. Thiazide diuretics (e.g. *bendroflumethiazide, *chlortalidone) act at the distal convoluted tubules (see nephron), preventing the reabsorption of sodium and potassium. Potassium-sparing diuretics (e.g. *amiloride, *spironolactone, *triamterene) prevent excessive loss of potassium at the distal convoluted tubules, and loop diuretics (e.g. *furosemide) prevent reabsorption of sodium and potassium in *Henle’s loop. Diuretics are used to reduce the oedema due to salt and water retention in disorders of the heart, kidneys, liver, or lungs. Thiazides and potassium-sparing diuretics are also used – in conjunction with other drugs – in the treatment of high blood pressure. Treatment with thiazide and loop diuretics often results in potassium deficiency; this is corrected by simultaneous administration of potassium salts or a potassium-sparing diuretic.... diuretic

a condition in which the pumping action of the heart is inadequate due to damaged heart valves, ventricular muscle, or both. This results in back pressure of blood, with congestion of organs. In left ventricular (or left heart) failure, congestion and fluid accumulation affect the lungs, resulting in pulmonary *oedema. The patient suffers breathlessness, cough, and *orthopnoea. There is reduced flow of arterial blood from the heart, which in extreme cases results in peripheral circulatory failure (cardiogenic shock). In right ventricular (or right heart) failure, the veins in the neck become engorged and fluid accumulates in the legs (peripheral oedema) or abdominal cavity (*ascites). If both left and right sides of the heart are affected then a combination of the above features is seen. This is usually referred to as congestive cardiac failure (CCF).

Diuretics (e.g. furosemide) improve symptoms. *ACE inhibitors, *beta blockers, and *spironolactone improve symptoms and life expectancy in patients with left ventricular failure. Heart surgery may be required for the correction of valve problems.... heart failure