Addison's disease (Adrenal insufficiency): Symptoms, Causes and Treatments (1)

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Addison's disease
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Addison's disease

• When your bodys adrenal glands produce
  insufficient amount of certain hormones, it leads
  to what is called Addison's disease (Adrenal
  Insufficiency). In Addisons disease, our body
  produces inadequate levels of both cortisol and
  aldosterone hormones. The disease is
  life-threatening and not restricted to any age
  group or sex.

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Causes of Addison's disease

• Adrenal glands are located above the kidneys and
  responsible for producing cortisol and
  aldosterone hormones. These hormones play a role
  of instructing every organ and tissue in your
  body. The interior medulla and exterior cortex
  make up adrenal glands and produce hormones
  called corticosteroids, which include
  glucocorticoids, mineralcorticoids and
  androgens. Addisons disease is the result of
  the inability of exterior cortex to produce
  sufficient hormones. Endocrinologists refer this
  condition as primary adrenal insufficiency. The
  inability of adrenal glands to secrete
  adrenocortical hormones is because of autoimmune
  disease (body attacking itself). For factors
  still unknown, the immune system views cortex as
  something to attack. Causes of adrenal gland
  failure are
• Tuberculosis

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Causes of Addison's disease
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• Adrenal gland infections
• Cancer of the adrenal glands
• Bleeding in the adrenal glands
• If the pituitary gland is not functioning as it
  should be, it may result into Adrenal
  insufficiency. ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone)
  triggers the adrenal cortex to produce its
  hormones. ACTYH is mane by the pituitary gland.
  Insufficient amount of ACTH leads to insufficient
  production of adrenal glands hormones, even
  though they are working properly.
  Endocrinologists refer this condition as
  secondary adrenal insufficiency. The cause for
  this type of adrenal insufficiency is the intake
  of corticosteroids for treatment of chronic
  conditions.

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Symptoms of Addison's disease

• The signs and symptoms of Addisons disease
  develop slowly, over a period of time. They
  include
• Tiredness and muscle weakness 
• Decreased appetite and weight loss 
• Hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin) 
• Low blood pressure 
• Increased likeliness for salt 
• Low blood sugar levels 
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea 
• Joint pain, aching muscles 
• Stress, depression 
• Irritability 
• Sexual dysfunction in women or hair loss

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Symptoms of Addison's disease
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• In some cases, sign and symptoms of Addisons
  disease appear suddenly leading to addisonian
  crisis.Symptoms include
• Back, abdomen and legs pain a lot 
• Continuing vomiting leading to dehydration 
• Low blood pressure 
• Faintness 
• Hyperkalemia (High levels of potassium in the
  body)

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Treatments

• Available treatment for Addison's disease The
  only available treatment for Addison's disease is
  the replacement therapy which corrects the levels
  of hormones your body isn't producing. It
  includesFor aldosterone, your endocrinologist
  may prescribe fludrocortisones that may be taken
  orally. For cortisol, he may prescribe
  Hydrocortisone (Cortef), prednisone or cortisone
  acetate. 
• Injections may be required if you are down with
  vomiting and unable to retain oral medications. 
• Androgen replacement therapy may be prescribed
  for women having deficiency of androgen. Studies
  have shown to improve sense of well-being and
  sexual intimacy.

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Treatments
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• When to consult an endocrinologistBook an
  appointment with endocrinologist if you
  experience symptoms that usually occur in people
  with Addison's disease
• Darkening of skin 
• Gastroenterological problems 
• Sudden weight loss 
• Salt cravings 
• Muscular pain
• For a successful treatment for Addison's
  disease, it is important that you follow up with
  your endocrinologist regularly. It is to make
  sure that you receive adequate but not excessive
  doses of replacement hormones.

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