What is Addison Disease
Addison disease, which is also called primary adrenal insufficiency, is a condition in which the adrenal glands do not make enough of the hormones cortisol and aldosterone.
The disease causes blood pressure to drop and causes potassium to build up to dangerous levels. If Addison disease is not treated, it can suddenly get worse and become a life-threatening condition.
A sudden worsening of the disease is called an addisonian crisis.
What are the causes?
This condition may be caused by:
- A disease in which the body’s own immune system damages the adrenal glands.
- An infection of the adrenal glands.
- Bleeding (hemorrhage) in the adrenal glands.
- A tumor.
What are the signs or symptoms?
Common symptoms of this condition include:
- Severe fatigue.
- Muscle weakness.
- Loss of appetite.
- Weight loss.
- Darkening of the skin.
- Drops in blood pressure.
Other symptoms include:
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
- Dizziness or fainting.
- Irritability
- Depression.
- Salt cravings.
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
- Irregular or no menstrual periods.
Symptoms usually develop slowly and get worse gradually.
How is this diagnosed?
This condition may be diagnosed based on your medical history, symptoms, and lab test results. The lab tests include a measurement of your blood cortisol levels. You may also have a CT scan or MRI of the adrenal and pituitary glands.
How is this treated?
This condition cannot be cured, but it can be managed with medicines that replace cortisol and aldosterone. These medicines may need to be taken several times per day. If you become so sick that you are unable to take these medicines by mouth or you are unable to keep them down, you will need to get them through an injection.
Illness, stress, and surgery can increase your body’s need for cortisol. It is very important that you talk with your health care provider and understand how to adjust your medicine dosages if you become ill or stressed or if you are to have surgery.
Follow these instructions at home:
- Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
- Know how to increase your medicine dosage during periods of stress or mild illness.
- When you travel, carry a needle, a syringe, and an injectable form of cortisol in case of an emergency.
- In case of an emergency, wear a warning bracelet or neck chain so that others understand that you have Addison disease.
- Carry
an ID card that states that you have Addison disease. The card should
include:
- Instructions to inject a certain amount of medicine if you are severely hurt or cannot respond.
- The name and phone number of your health care provider.
- The name and phone number of your closest relative.
Contact a health care provider if:
- You get sick with another illness.
- You develop new symptoms.
Get help right away if:
- You have a severe infection or other illness.
- You have severe vomiting or diarrhea.
- You find it necessary to give yourself injectable medicine.
- You
have symptoms of an addisonian crisis. These include:
- Sudden, severe pain in the lower back, abdomen, or legs.
- Severe vomiting and diarrhoea.
- Dehydration.
- Low blood pressure.
- Loss of consciousness.
