| Addison's disease (chronic adrenal insufficiency) is a | | | | the failure of the adrenal glands, seated above the |
| rare and progressive disorder that affects between | | | | kidneys, to produce enough of the hormone cortisol |
| one and six in every 100,000 people. It occurs in all | | | | and, in some cases, the hormone aldosterone. |
| age groups and afflicts men and women equally. | | | | Symptoms of Addison's Disease |
| Addison's disease is caused by the inability of the | | | | Some Symptoms of Addison's Disease: |
| adrenal glands to make sufficient amounts of | | | | Muscle weakness. |
| regulating hormones. The adrenal cortex (the outer | | | | Depression |
| part) also produces important hormones, the | | | | Irritability |
| corticosteroids. | | | | Chronic fatigue that gradually worsens. |
| Classical Addison's disease results from a loss of both | | | | Weight loss and loss of appetite |
| cortisol and aldosterone secretion due to the near | | | | Nausea , diarrhea , or vomiting |
| total or total destruction of both adrenal glands. | | | | Dehydration. |
| These glands form part of the endocrine system, | | | | Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) |
| which works with the nervous system and the | | | | Polyuria |
| immune system to help the body cope with different | | | | Increased number of eosinophils. |
| events and stresses. It helps maintain blood pressure | | | | Restlessness |
| and water and salt balance in the body by helping the | | | | Treatment of Addison's Disease |
| kidney retain sodium and excrete potassium. | | | | Medications to replace the hormones cortisol and |
| When aldosterone production falls too low, the | | | | aldosterone. Hydrocortisone is often used because it |
| kidneys are not able to regulate salt and water | | | | can function like both of these hormones. If another |
| balance, causing blood volume and blood pressure to | | | | medication is used instead of hydrocortisone (such as |
| drop. If ACTH is deficient, there will not be enough | | | | prednisolone, methylprednisolone, or dexamethasone), |
| cortisol produced, although aldosterone may remain | | | | you also will need a medication that can function like |
| adequate. This is secondary adrenal insufficiency, | | | | aldosterone (usually fludrocortisone). You will need a |
| which is distinctly different, but similar to Addison's | | | | higher dose of medication during childbirth; when you |
| disease, since both include a loss of cortisol secretion. | | | | have an injury, surgery, or a serious infection; or |
| Causes of Addison's Disease | | | | during severe stress, such as the death of a loved |
| The common Causes of Addison's Disease: | | | | one. |
| The immune system mistakenly attacking the gland | | | | Increasing salt in the diet. Because people with |
| (autoimmune disease) | | | | adrenal failure tend to lose sodium, you will need |
| Use of blood-thinning drugs (anticoagulants) | | | | extra salt (sodium chloride) in your diet, especially |
| Infections such as tuberculosis , HIV, or fungal | | | | during hot and humid weather and vigorous exercise. |
| infections. | | | | However, because people with Addison's disease |
| Invasion of the adrenal glands by cancer cells from | | | | retain potassium, you need to avoid salt substitutes, |
| another part of the body. | | | | which usually contain potassium chloride salts. |
| Tumors. | | | | Regular medical checkups to monitor symptoms and |
| Chronic infections, such as fungal infections. | | | | blood pressure. Your health professional also may |
| Hemorrhage, blood loss. | | | | need to do lab tests to evaluate and monitor blood |
| The symptoms of Addison's disease are caused by | | | | levels of potassium, sodium, and cortisol. |