Addison's syndrome
Addison's disease (also known as primary adrenal insufficiency and hypocortisolism) is a long-term endocrine disorder in which the adrenal glands do not produce enough steroid hormones. Symptoms generally come on slowly and may include abdominal pain, weakness, and weight loss. Darkening of the skin in certain areas may also occur. Under certain circumstances, an adrenal crisis may occur with low blood pressure, vomiting, lower back pain, and loss of consciousness. An adrenal crisis can be triggered by stress, such as from an injury, surgery, or infection.
Causes[edit | edit source]
Addison's disease arises from problems with the adrenal gland itself, leading to a low production of the hormone cortisol and often aldosterone as well. A common cause is when the immune system mistakenly attacks the adrenal glands, a process known as autoimmune Addison's disease. Other causes include certain infections, such as tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, and fungal infections, cancers that spread to the adrenal glands, certain genetic conditions, and removal of the adrenal glands.
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
Diagnosis of Addison's disease is made through blood tests, and sometimes imaging tests such as a CT scan. Blood tests may show low levels of cortisol and aldosterone, but high levels of ACTH, a hormone that stimulates the adrenal glands. A CT scan may show changes in the size and shape of the adrenal glands.
Treatment[edit | edit source]
Treatment for Addison's disease involves replacing the missing cortisol, often in the form of hydrocortisone tablets, and if necessary, fludrocortisone to replace aldosterone. In addition, people with Addison's disease are often advised to increase their intake of salt, especially during periods of heavy exercise or in hot weather.
Prognosis[edit | edit source]
With proper treatment, most people with Addison's disease can lead normal lives. However, they must be constantly aware of the risk of an adrenal crisis, which is a medical emergency.
See also[edit | edit source]
| Addison's syndrome Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
