Addison's Disease

Addison’s disease is a rare condition that affects the adrenal gland and causes a deficiency in its hormones, and despite the fact that it’s a chronic disease, it can be treated by replacing these hormones.

Addison’s disease

Addison’s disease is a chronic disorder that affects the adrenal glands and makes them produce less cortisol and aldosterone than normal. The adrenal glands are located on the top of the kidneys.

Cortisol plays a crucial role in how the body responds to different stress situations, while aldosterone impacts the sodium and potassium balance in the blood, and therefore, it impacts the blood pressure.

Addison’s disease is rare, and it could affect any age, but it’s more common between the ages of 30 and 50 years old.

Causes of Addison’s disease

Addison’s disease occurs due to the damage in the outer layer of the adrenal glands, most probably as a result of a disorder in the immune system that makes it attack healthy cells in this layer.

Other causes that cause primary adrenal insufficiency are:

• Tuberculosis.
• Infections in the adrenal glands.
• A cancer spread out to the adrenal glands.
• Congenital adrenal hyperplasia.
• A bleeding in the adrenal glands.
• Some medications, like ketoconazole (antifungal).
• The risk of Addison’s disease could increase if there is another immune disorder, such as type 1 diabetes, vitiligo, myasthenia gravis, pernicious anemia, Graves’ disease, chronic thyroiditis, or dermatitis herpetiformis.

Symptoms of Addison’s disease

Symptoms of Addison’s disease usually start slowly and worsen gradually, and they include:

• Extreme tiredness.
• Hypoglycemia.
• Increased sweating.
• Orthostatic hypotension.
• Stomach disturbance and pain.
• Diarrhea.
• Vomiting.
• Muscle pain and weakness.
• Joint pain.
• Losing body hair.
• Weight loss.
• Darkened skin in some area.
• Cravings for salty foods.
• Psychological symptoms, like depression and mood swings.
• Irregular periods and decreased libido in women.
• Symptoms could worsen quickly and cause an adrenal crisis, which is an emergency. The symptoms are extreme fatigue and weakness, severe and sudden pain in the lower back, stomach, or legs, severe stomach disturbance, severe vomiting or diarrhea, dehydration, fever, loss of consciousness, and fainting.

Diagnosis of Addison’s disease

• Blood tests.
• Imaging tests.

Treatment of Addison’s disease

• Addition’s disease is treated by giving synthetic versions of the hormones cortisol and aldosterone, and since this disorder is chronic, patients must take the replacement therapy for the rest of the life.