Addison Disease
(Addison's Disease; Adrenal Insufficiency)
Glands make and release hormones.
Hormones are chemicals that stimulate other cells or tissues into action. Because hormones are in your blood, they travel throughout your body. They can affect many organs at the same time.
You have two adrenal glands, one above each kidney. The adrenal glands release several different hormones that help control your blood pressure, heart rate, balance of water and salt, response to stress, and some male-type sex features.
What is Addison disease?
In Addison disease, your adrenal glands don't make enough adrenal hormones.
-
Addison disease is usually caused by your immune system attacking your adrenal glands
-
Symptoms come on slowly
-
You feel weak and tired all the time and may get dizzy when you stand up
-
Your skin may develop dark areas, like an uneven tan
-
Doctors give you hormone pills to replace the ones you're missing
-
You’ll need to take the hormones for the rest of your life
What causes Addison disease?
Addison disease is usually due to a problem with your adrenal glands, including:
-
An autoimmune disorder where your body’s immune system attacks your adrenal glands by mistake
-
Cancer of the adrenals
-
Infections of the adrenals, such as tuberculosis
Sometimes Addison disease is caused by a problem with your pituitary gland. Your pituitary gland releases many hormones, including a hormone that tells the adrenal glands to make its hormones. If you have an underactive pituitary gland, your adrenals may stop making hormones.
What are the symptoms of Addison disease?
Symptoms of Addison disease start slowly and usually include:
Sometimes you also have:
What's an adrenal crisis?
A crisis is a serious emergency.
An adrenal crisis is a life-threatening, sudden worsening of Addison disease.
Your body needs adrenal hormones to respond to stresses like a serious injury or illness. Without enough adrenal hormones, injury or illness puts stress on your body and can cause an adrenal crisis. You could have:
