Addison’s Disease

Addison’s disease is a rare disorder of the adrenal glands, it is when the body does not produce sufficient hormones such as: cortisol, aldosterone and adrenaline.

The adrenal glands are two small glands that sit on top of the kidneys, and are made up of the cortex and the medulla.

In Addison's disease, the adrenal gland is damaged, and not enough cortisol (the primary stress hormone which increases glucose concentration in blood) and aldosterone (controls salt-water concentration and blood pressure) are produced.

The condition is usually the result of a problem with the immune system, which causes it to attack the outer layer of the adrenal gland (the adrenal cortex), interfering the production of steroid hormones aldosterone and cortisol.

Addison’s disease is treated with medication to replace the missing hormones. Patients need to take the medication for the rest of their lives.

An adrenal crisis is a medical emergency and warning signs include severe nausea, confusion, fever, headache and weakness. If left untreated, it can be fatal.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/addisons-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20350293

https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000378.htm

https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/addisons-disease/

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