&lt;h1 data-section-id=&quot;tyhtbg&quot; data-start=&quot;184&quot; data-end=&quot;255&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Your Body&amp;rsquo;s Tiny Hormone Factory (and What Happens in CAH)&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h1&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;257&quot; data-end=&quot;454&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Let&amp;rsquo;s start with a fun fact: your body has two tiny glands that work &lt;strong data-start=&quot;326&quot; data-end=&quot;360&quot;&gt;24/7 without you even noticing&lt;/strong&gt;&amp;mdash;they&amp;rsquo;re called your &lt;strong data-start=&quot;381&quot; data-end=&quot;399&quot;&gt;adrenal glands&lt;/strong&gt;, and they sit like little hats on top of your kidneys.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;456&quot; data-end=&quot;634&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Even though they&amp;rsquo;re small, they have a &lt;strong data-start=&quot;495&quot; data-end=&quot;514&quot;&gt;big personality&lt;/strong&gt;. Think of them as your body&amp;rsquo;s &lt;strong data-start=&quot;545&quot; data-end=&quot;573&quot;&gt;hormone factory managers&lt;/strong&gt;, making sure everything stays balanced and running smoothly.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;456&quot; data-end=&quot;634&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-section-id=&quot;1jqfs0s&quot; data-start=&quot;636&quot; data-end=&quot;677&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What do these glands actually do?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;679&quot; data-end=&quot;744&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;They produce a mix of important hormones, each with its own role:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul data-start=&quot;746&quot; data-end=&quot;1073&quot;&gt;
&lt;li data-section-id=&quot;1kccgo7&quot; data-start=&quot;746&quot; data-end=&quot;853&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;748&quot; data-end=&quot;760&quot;&gt;Corti&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;sol&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; &amp;rarr;&lt;/span&gt; your &amp;ldquo;stress helper&amp;rdquo;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br data-start=&quot;783&quot; data-end=&quot;786&quot; /&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Helps your body respond to illness, injury, and everyday stress&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-section-id=&quot;si61px&quot; data-start=&quot;855&quot; data-end=&quot;950&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;857&quot; data-end=&quot;872&quot;&gt;Aldostero&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;ne&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt; &amp;rarr;&lt;/span&gt; your &amp;ldquo;balance keeper&amp;rdquo;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br data-start=&quot;896&quot; data-end=&quot;899&quot; /&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Controls salt, fluid levels, and blood pressure&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-section-id=&quot;1rqoklv&quot; data-start=&quot;952&quot; data-end=&quot;1073&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;954&quot; data-end=&quot;967&quot;&gt;Androgens&lt;/strong&gt; &amp;rarr;&lt;/span&gt; your &amp;ldquo;growth &amp;amp; development boosters&amp;rdquo;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br data-start=&quot;1006&quot; data-end=&quot;1009&quot; /&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Play a role in puberty, hair growth, and overall development&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1075&quot; data-end=&quot;1178&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;When everything is working well, it&amp;rsquo;s like a perfectly run factory&amp;mdash;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;1142&quot; data-end=&quot;1177&quot;&gt;smooth, efficient, and balanced&lt;/strong&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1075&quot; data-end=&quot;1178&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-section-id=&quot;w259tc&quot; data-start=&quot;1185&quot; data-end=&quot;1239&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;So what is Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH)?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1241&quot; data-end=&quot;1290&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Now imagine that factory is missing a key worker.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1292&quot; data-end=&quot;1437&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;That&amp;rsquo;s essentially what happens in &lt;strong data-start=&quot;1327&quot; data-end=&quot;1367&quot;&gt;Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH)&lt;/strong&gt;&amp;mdash;a condition people are &lt;strong data-start=&quot;1391&quot; data-end=&quot;1404&quot;&gt;born with&lt;/strong&gt; (congenital = present at birth).&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1439&quot; data-end=&quot;1446&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;In CAH:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul data-start=&quot;1447&quot; data-end=&quot;1561&quot;&gt;
&lt;li data-section-id=&quot;1ckdwzv&quot; data-start=&quot;1447&quot; data-end=&quot;1511&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;The body is missing an important &lt;strong data-start=&quot;1482&quot; data-end=&quot;1492&quot;&gt;enzyme&lt;/strong&gt; (a helper protein)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-section-id=&quot;zw120m&quot; data-start=&quot;1512&quot; data-end=&quot;1561&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;This enzyme is needed to make hormones properly&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1563&quot; data-end=&quot;1607&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Without it, the factory line gets disrupted.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4 data-section-id=&quot;1encr2n&quot; data-start=&quot;1609&quot; data-end=&quot;1647&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The result? A hormone imbalance&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;ul data-start=&quot;1649&quot; data-end=&quot;1758&quot;&gt;
&lt;li data-section-id=&quot;odakj7&quot; data-start=&quot;1649&quot; data-end=&quot;1713&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Some hormones (like cortisol or aldosterone) are &lt;strong data-start=&quot;1700&quot; data-end=&quot;1711&quot;&gt;too low&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-section-id=&quot;90pus0&quot; data-start=&quot;1714&quot; data-end=&quot;1758&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Others (like androgens) are &lt;strong data-start=&quot;1744&quot; data-end=&quot;1756&quot;&gt;too high&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1760&quot; data-end=&quot;1865&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;It&amp;rsquo;s a bit like baking a cake without a key ingredient&amp;mdash;you still get something, but it&amp;rsquo;s not quite right.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1760&quot; data-end=&quot;1865&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-section-id=&quot;13lmlic&quot; data-start=&quot;1872&quot; data-end=&quot;1903&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;The Two Main Types of CAH&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1905&quot; data-end=&quot;1989&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Not all CAH is the same&amp;mdash;there are two main types, and they behave quite differently.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4 data-section-id=&quot;1672gcr&quot; data-start=&quot;1991&quot; data-end=&quot;2036&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Classic CAH (the more noticeable type)&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2038&quot; data-end=&quot;2110&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;This form usually shows up &lt;strong data-start=&quot;2065&quot; data-end=&quot;2109&quot;&gt;early&amp;mdash;often right at birth or in infancy&lt;/strong&gt;.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Because the hormone imbalance is more significant:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul data-start=&quot;2163&quot; data-end=&quot;2260&quot;&gt;
&lt;li data-section-id=&quot;siej10&quot; data-start=&quot;2163&quot; data-end=&quot;2203&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Babies may need &lt;strong data-start=&quot;2181&quot; data-end=&quot;2203&quot;&gt;early medical care&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-section-id=&quot;6a0lkv&quot; data-start=&quot;2204&quot; data-end=&quot;2260&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Doctors often pick it up through &lt;strong data-start=&quot;2239&quot; data-end=&quot;2260&quot;&gt;newborn screening&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2262&quot; data-end=&quot;2365&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;This type needs &lt;strong data-start=&quot;2278&quot; data-end=&quot;2314&quot;&gt;ongoing monitoring and treatment&lt;/strong&gt;, but with good care, children can grow and thrive.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4 data-section-id=&quot;1tey1t9&quot; data-start=&quot;2372&quot; data-end=&quot;2415&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Nonclassic CAH (the quieter version)&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2417&quot; data-end=&quot;2462&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;This type is much &lt;strong data-start=&quot;2435&quot; data-end=&quot;2461&quot;&gt;milder and more common&lt;/strong&gt;.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;It can be a bit sneaky because:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul data-start=&quot;2496&quot; data-end=&quot;2624&quot;&gt;
&lt;li data-section-id=&quot;a7dxt1&quot; data-start=&quot;2496&quot; data-end=&quot;2575&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Symptoms may not appear until &lt;strong data-start=&quot;2528&quot; data-end=&quot;2575&quot;&gt;childhood, teenage years, or even adulthood&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-section-id=&quot;ev7omb&quot; data-start=&quot;2576&quot; data-end=&quot;2624&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Some people may &lt;strong data-start=&quot;2594&quot; data-end=&quot;2624&quot;&gt;not notice symptoms at all&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2626&quot; data-end=&quot;2718&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Many people with nonclassic CAH live their lives without realizing they have it until later.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2626&quot; data-end=&quot;2718&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-section-id=&quot;16cs776&quot; data-start=&quot;2725&quot; data-end=&quot;2749&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The reassuring part&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2751&quot; data-end=&quot;2811&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;While the name may sound complicated, CAH is &lt;strong data-start=&quot;2796&quot; data-end=&quot;2810&quot;&gt;manageable&lt;/strong&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2813&quot; data-end=&quot;2818&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;With:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul data-start=&quot;2819&quot; data-end=&quot;2885&quot;&gt;
&lt;li data-section-id=&quot;1ueqv2g&quot; data-start=&quot;2819&quot; data-end=&quot;2838&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Early diagnosis&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-section-id=&quot;1mpz76d&quot; data-start=&quot;2839&quot; data-end=&quot;2862&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;The right treatment&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-section-id=&quot;jjy794&quot; data-start=&quot;2863&quot; data-end=&quot;2885&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Regular follow-ups&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2887&quot; data-end=&quot;2950&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;People with CAH can live &lt;strong data-start=&quot;2912&quot; data-end=&quot;2947&quot;&gt;full, active, and healthy lives&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2887&quot; data-end=&quot;2950&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-section-id=&quot;1w3dval&quot; data-start=&quot;3112&quot; data-end=&quot;3145&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What symptoms can look like&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3147&quot; data-end=&quot;3266&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Because hormones affect so many parts of the body, CAH symptoms can vary &lt;strong data-start=&quot;3220&quot; data-end=&quot;3229&quot;&gt;a lot&lt;/strong&gt;&amp;mdash;from very noticeable to very subtle.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3268&quot; data-end=&quot;3286&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;It all depends on:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul data-start=&quot;3287&quot; data-end=&quot;3348&quot;&gt;
&lt;li data-section-id=&quot;1janyyy&quot; data-start=&quot;3287&quot; data-end=&quot;3306&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;The type of CAH&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-section-id=&quot;vdicys&quot; data-start=&quot;3307&quot; data-end=&quot;3348&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;How much hormone imbalance is present&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-section-id=&quot;c2edms&quot; data-start=&quot;3355&quot; data-end=&quot;3398&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Classic CAH (early and more obvious)&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3400&quot; data-end=&quot;3460&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;This type often shows signs in &lt;strong data-start=&quot;3431&quot; data-end=&quot;3459&quot;&gt;babies or young children&lt;/strong&gt;.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Some possible features include:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul data-start=&quot;3495&quot; data-end=&quot;4050&quot;&gt;
&lt;li data-section-id=&quot;114ih9k&quot; data-start=&quot;3495&quot; data-end=&quot;3608&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;3499&quot; data-end=&quot;3522&quot;&gt;Low cortisol levels&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br data-start=&quot;3522&quot; data-end=&quot;3525&quot; /&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&amp;rarr; can make it harder for the body to handle stress, illness, or low blood sugar&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-section-id=&quot;c7s2mg&quot; data-start=&quot;3610&quot; data-end=&quot;3701&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;3615&quot; data-end=&quot;3650&quot;&gt;Low aldosterone (in some cases)&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br data-start=&quot;3650&quot; data-end=&quot;3653&quot; /&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&amp;rarr; can affect salt balance and blood pressure&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-section-id=&quot;m6iqhv&quot; data-start=&quot;3703&quot; data-end=&quot;3785&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;3708&quot; data-end=&quot;3734&quot;&gt;Risk of adrenal crisis&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br data-start=&quot;3734&quot; data-end=&quot;3737&quot; /&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&amp;rarr; a serious condition that needs urgent care&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-section-id=&quot;1i5gw8z&quot; data-start=&quot;3787&quot; data-end=&quot;3856&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;3792&quot; data-end=&quot;3838&quot;&gt;Differences in genital appearance at birth&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt; (in some girls)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-section-id=&quot;1v5a99i&quot; data-start=&quot;3858&quot; data-end=&quot;3935&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;3863&quot; data-end=&quot;3886&quot;&gt;Early puberty signs&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br data-start=&quot;3886&quot; data-end=&quot;3889&quot; /&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&amp;rarr; such as body hair, acne, or rapid growth&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-section-id=&quot;2w5fp0&quot; data-start=&quot;3937&quot; data-end=&quot;3994&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;3942&quot; data-end=&quot;3992&quot;&gt;Fast growth early on, but shorter adult height&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-section-id=&quot;13pb3b9&quot; data-start=&quot;3996&quot; data-end=&quot;4050&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;4001&quot; data-end=&quot;4048&quot;&gt;Possible fertility challenges later in life&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-section-id=&quot;180kp3p&quot; data-start=&quot;4057&quot; data-end=&quot;4097&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Nonclassic CAH (milder and later)&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;4099&quot; data-end=&quot;4191&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;This form tends to show up later and can sometimes be mistaken for other hormone conditions.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;4193&quot; data-end=&quot;4218&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Common signs may include:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;ul data-start=&quot;4220&quot; data-end=&quot;4448&quot;&gt;
&lt;li data-section-id=&quot;1ffqt21&quot; data-start=&quot;4220&quot; data-end=&quot;4257&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;4225&quot; data-end=&quot;4255&quot;&gt;Irregular menstrual cycles&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-section-id=&quot;zfgt6f&quot; data-start=&quot;4258&quot; data-end=&quot;4312&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;4263&quot; data-end=&quot;4310&quot;&gt;Difficulty getting pregnant (in some cases)&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-section-id=&quot;1g98cu1&quot; data-start=&quot;4313&quot; data-end=&quot;4369&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;4318&quot; data-end=&quot;4367&quot;&gt;Acne that doesn&amp;rsquo;t respond easily to treatment&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-section-id=&quot;13f9qnb&quot; data-start=&quot;4370&quot; data-end=&quot;4406&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;4375&quot; data-end=&quot;4404&quot;&gt;Extra facial or body hair&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-section-id=&quot;1f8k07l&quot; data-start=&quot;4407&quot; data-end=&quot;4448&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;4411&quot; data-end=&quot;4446&quot;&gt;Early puberty signs in children&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;4450&quot; data-end=&quot;4483&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;And sometimes&amp;mdash;no symptoms at all.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;4450&quot; data-end=&quot;4483&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-section-id=&quot;d2wfq3&quot; data-start=&quot;4490&quot; data-end=&quot;4516&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Why does CAH happen?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;4518&quot; data-end=&quot;4575&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;CAH is genetic, meaning it&amp;rsquo;s passed down in families.&amp;nbsp;It follows something called an autosomal recessive pattern:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul data-start=&quot;4641&quot; data-end=&quot;4753&quot;&gt;
&lt;li data-section-id=&quot;upc6ik&quot; data-start=&quot;4641&quot; data-end=&quot;4698&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;A child needs to inherit the gene from &lt;strong data-start=&quot;4682&quot; data-end=&quot;4698&quot;&gt;both parents&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-section-id=&quot;1ollrer&quot; data-start=&quot;4699&quot; data-end=&quot;4753&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Parents are often &lt;strong data-start=&quot;4719&quot; data-end=&quot;4731&quot;&gt;carriers&lt;/strong&gt; and may not know it&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-section-id=&quot;192pr4y&quot; data-start=&quot;4755&quot; data-end=&quot;4783&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;The most common cause&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;4785&quot; data-end=&quot;4866&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;In most cases, CAH happens because of a missing enzyme called 21-hydroxylase.&amp;nbsp;This enzyme plays a key role in making:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul data-start=&quot;4908&quot; data-end=&quot;4936&quot;&gt;
&lt;li data-section-id=&quot;br6ghn&quot; data-start=&quot;4908&quot; data-end=&quot;4920&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Cortisol&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-section-id=&quot;16ktihm&quot; data-start=&quot;4921&quot; data-end=&quot;4936&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Aldosterone&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;4938&quot; data-end=&quot;5045&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Without it, the body shifts toward producing &lt;strong data-start=&quot;4983&quot; data-end=&quot;5009&quot;&gt;more androgens instead&lt;/strong&gt;&amp;mdash;which leads to the symptoms we see.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-section-id=&quot;184hunm&quot; data-start=&quot;5052&quot; data-end=&quot;5099&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Understanding adrenal crisis (important!)&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;5101&quot; data-end=&quot;5203&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;In more severe cases (especially classic CAH), the body may not have enough cortisol to handle stress.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;This can lead to an &lt;strong data-start=&quot;5225&quot; data-end=&quot;5243&quot;&gt;adrenal crisis&lt;/strong&gt;, which is a &lt;strong data-start=&quot;5256&quot; data-end=&quot;5277&quot;&gt;medical emergency&lt;/strong&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4 data-section-id=&quot;1dv7k4q&quot; data-start=&quot;5280&quot; data-end=&quot;5306&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Warning signs include:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;ul data-start=&quot;5307&quot; data-end=&quot;5400&quot;&gt;
&lt;li data-section-id=&quot;10btjfl&quot; data-start=&quot;5307&quot; data-end=&quot;5319&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Vomiting&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-section-id=&quot;1cd5qex&quot; data-start=&quot;5320&quot; data-end=&quot;5350&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Severe weakness or fatigue&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-section-id=&quot;19zpvbn&quot; data-start=&quot;5351&quot; data-end=&quot;5366&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Dehydration&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-section-id=&quot;1po8zok&quot; data-start=&quot;5367&quot; data-end=&quot;5386&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Low blood sugar&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-section-id=&quot;1kizzcy&quot; data-start=&quot;5387&quot; data-end=&quot;5400&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Confusion&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;5402&quot; data-end=&quot;5456&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;If suspected, &lt;strong data-start=&quot;5419&quot; data-end=&quot;5455&quot;&gt;urgent medical care is essential&lt;/strong&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;5402&quot; data-end=&quot;5456&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-section-id=&quot;6fzy8&quot; data-start=&quot;5463&quot; data-end=&quot;5483&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Final takeaway&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;5485&quot; data-end=&quot;5555&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;CAH might sound overwhelming at first, but here&amp;rsquo;s what really matters:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul data-start=&quot;5557&quot; data-end=&quot;5703&quot;&gt;
&lt;li data-section-id=&quot;8zotkj&quot; data-start=&quot;5557&quot; data-end=&quot;5599&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;It&amp;rsquo;s a &lt;strong data-start=&quot;5566&quot; data-end=&quot;5597&quot;&gt;hormone imbalance condition&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-section-id=&quot;1w3bo6z&quot; data-start=&quot;5600&quot; data-end=&quot;5638&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;It&amp;rsquo;s &lt;strong data-start=&quot;5607&quot; data-end=&quot;5636&quot;&gt;diagnosable and treatable&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-section-id=&quot;1g8jpdx&quot; data-start=&quot;5639&quot; data-end=&quot;5703&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;And with proper care, people with CAH can do incredibly well&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;5705&quot; data-end=&quot;5872&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Think of it as a condition where the body just needs a little &lt;strong data-start=&quot;5767&quot; data-end=&quot;5803&quot;&gt;extra support to stay in balance&lt;/strong&gt;&amp;mdash;and with the right care team, that balance is absolutely achievable.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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