Addison’s disease is caused by a damaged adrenal cortex, leading to a deficiency of hormones. Symptoms include lethargy, skin discoloration, and low blood pressure. Diagnosis is based on hormone and steroid levels in the blood, and treatment involves hormone replacement therapy.
Addison’s disease is a condition related to the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands, which sit just above the kidneys, have two main functions. The inner part of the adrenal gland, called the medulla, produces the hormone adrenaline. The outer part of the gland is called the cortex and produces the body’s steroids. Addison’s sufferers have a damaged cortex, leading to a deficiency or complete lack of hormones.
The human body needs adrenaline to boost metabolism in preparation for shock or trauma. Steroids produced by the bark include cortisol, a stress-relieving steroid. Another steroid produced by the bark is aldosterone, which regulates salt levels in the blood. If your salt or sodium levels are erratic, you will experience blood pressure problems. The bark is also responsible for the production of the male sex hormone testosterone.
In about 70% of people with Addison’s disease, the cause is related to the autoimmune system. This means that the immune system attacks the adrenal cortex as if it were foreign to the body. About 30% of cases of cortex destruction are the result of infections, such as cancers and diseases. It has also been recognized that there may be hereditary conditions linked to Addison’s.
The symptoms of Addison’s disease are wide ranging. Common symptoms include extreme lethargy, brown discoloration of the skin, and high frequency of urination. Low blood pressure is another common symptom of this condition.
Other symptoms may include mood swings, cravings for salty foods, and muscle weakness. Loss of appetite and weight loss may also occur, as well as irregular periods in women. Tremors, dehydration, and numbness in the hands and feet have also been recorded as symptoms of Addison’s disease.
Diagnosis of this condition is based on symptoms and levels of hormones and steroids in the blood. A simple test is to inject the patient with adrenocorticotropic hormone. In healthy people, an injection of this hormone will cause cortical hormone levels to rise. Sufferers of Addison’s disease will show little or no reaction. Other blood tests check the levels of salt, sugar and potassium in the blood.
Treatment of Addison’s disease usually consists of a series of hormone replacement treatments. Steroid tablets may also be prescribed. It is very important for Addison’s disease sufferers to carry some form of identification with them to inform others of the condition. Any major surgery, infection, or injury can cause an adrenal crisis that needs to be treated right away.
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