ADDISON’S DISEASE

ADDISON’S DISEASE

Addison’s disease represents an insufficiency or dysfunction of the cortex of the adrenal glands, which fails to release adequate amounts of hormones to meet the physiological needs of the body, despite release of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) from the pituitary gland.

ACTH secretion are increased while secretion of aldosterone,androgen,cortisol reduced.It is more common in female. The adrenal glands are situated on top of the kidneys. Their cortex produces severalsteroid hormones, of which the glucocorticoid cortisol, the mineralocorticoid aldosterone and the sexual hormone dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) are important.

CAUSES:

Addison’s disease is caused by the damage of the adrenal cortex. The damage of cortex can lead to less production of its hormone. There are common following causes of Addison’s disease including-

Tumors

Infections such as HIV, tuberculosis and fungal infection

Autoimmune disease

Hemorrhage, blood loss

anticoagulants

Addison’s disease Symptoms
-

Extreme weakness

Nausea and vomiting

Slow, sluggish movement

Chronic diarrhea

Paleness

Fatigue

Loss of appetite

Unnaturally dark color of some part of the body

Changes in blood pressure or heart rate

Darkening of skin or patchy skin color

Unintentional weight loss

Salt craving

RISK FACTORS THAT CAN CAUSE AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE THAT FURTHER CAN LEAD TO ADDISON’S DISEASE-

Type 1 diabetes

Graves’ disease

Hypopituitarism

Myasthenia

Pemicious anemia

Dermatis herpetiformis

Testicular dysfunction

Vitiligo

Hypoparathyroidism

DIAGNOSIS:

Blood test.

ACTH stimulation test.

Insulin-induced hypoglycemia test.

Imaging tests..

COMPLICATION

Psychosis.

Adrenal crisis.