Addison's disease: Difference between revisions
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{{SI}} | |||
{{Infobox medical condition | |||
| name = Addison's disease | |||
| image = [[File:A_69-Year-Old_Female_with_Tiredness_and_a_Persistent_Tan_01.png|250px]] | |||
| alt = | |||
| caption = A patient with hyperpigmentation due to Addison's disease | |||
| field = [[Endocrinology]] | |||
| synonyms = Primary adrenal insufficiency, hypocortisolism | |||
| symptoms = [[Fatigue (medical)]], [[muscle weakness]], [[weight loss]], [[hyperpigmentation]], [[hypotension]], [[abdominal pain]], [[nausea]], [[vomiting]], [[diarrhea]], [[salt craving]] | |||
| complications = [[Adrenal crisis]] | |||
| onset = Gradual | |||
| duration = Long-term | |||
| causes = [[Autoimmune adrenalitis]], [[tuberculosis]], [[adrenal hemorrhage]], [[infections]], [[metastatic cancer]] | |||
| risks = [[Autoimmune diseases]], [[genetic predisposition]] | |||
| diagnosis = [[ACTH stimulation test]], [[serum cortisol]], [[electrolyte imbalance]] | |||
| differential = [[Secondary adrenal insufficiency]], [[congenital adrenal hyperplasia]], [[hypothyroidism]] | |||
| prevention = None | |||
| treatment = [[Glucocorticoid]] and [[mineralocorticoid]] replacement therapy | |||
| medication = [[Hydrocortisone]], [[fludrocortisone]] | |||
| prognosis = Good with treatment | |||
| frequency = 4.4–6.0 per 100,000 per year | |||
| deaths = Rare with treatment | |||
}} | |||
Addison's disease occurs when the [[adrenal glands]] do not produce enough of the hormones [[cortisol]] and [[aldosterone]] (both corticosteroids). | Addison's disease occurs when the [[adrenal glands]] do not produce enough of the hormones [[cortisol]] and [[aldosterone]] (both corticosteroids). | ||
It is also known as chronic [[adrenal insufficiency]], or [[hypocortisolism]]. It can make people feel weak and tired, but it can also be effectively treated with replacement steroids. | It is also known as chronic [[adrenal insufficiency]], or [[hypocortisolism]]. It can make people feel weak and tired, but it can also be effectively treated with replacement steroids. | ||
== Types of Addison’s disease == | |||
== Types of | There are two main types of Addison’s disease. | ||
There are two main types of | |||
* Primary adrenal insufficiency: the adrenal glands do not produce enough cortisol and aldosterone | * Primary adrenal insufficiency: the adrenal glands do not produce enough cortisol and aldosterone | ||
* Secondary adrenal insufficiency: the pituitary gland in the brain does not release enough of the hormone that stimulates the adrenal gland to release cortisol. | * Secondary adrenal insufficiency: the pituitary gland in the brain does not release enough of the hormone that stimulates the adrenal gland to release cortisol. | ||
== What causes Addison’s disease? == | |||
== What causes | Addison’s disease may be caused by anything that damages the adrenal glands, such as: | ||
[[File:Patient with Addison's disease Wellcome M0012690.jpg|alt=Patient with Addison's disease|thumb|Patient with Addison's disease]] | [[File:Patient with Addison's disease Wellcome M0012690.jpg|alt=Patient with Addison's disease|thumb|Patient with Addison's disease]] | ||
* [https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/autoimmune-diseases autoimmune disease] where the immune system attacks some of the bodies own tissues) | * [https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/autoimmune-diseases autoimmune disease] where the immune system attacks some of the bodies own tissues) | ||
| Line 22: | Line 41: | ||
* disease in the pituitary glands | * disease in the pituitary glands | ||
* If you suddenly stop taking corticosteroids for conditions like asthma or arthritis. | * If you suddenly stop taking corticosteroids for conditions like asthma or arthritis. | ||
It can also be caused by anything that affects the pituitary gland in the brain, such as a tumour. | It can also be caused by anything that affects the pituitary gland in the brain, such as a tumour. | ||
== Addison’s disease symptoms == | |||
== | The symptoms of Addison’s disease start gradually and can include: | ||
The symptoms of | |||
* a darkening of the skin, with or without sun exposure | * a darkening of the skin, with or without sun exposure | ||
* weight loss | * weight loss | ||
| Line 43: | Line 59: | ||
* Loss of hair | * Loss of hair | ||
* Sexual problems in women. | * Sexual problems in women. | ||
== What is an Addisonian crisis? == | == What is an Addisonian crisis? == | ||
An Addisonian crisis can occur when an accident or illness causes symptoms to worsen. These can include sudden [https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/back-pain pain in the lower back], legs or abdomen, low blood pressure, severe vomiting and diarrhoea and loss of consciousness. An untreated Addisonian crisis can be fatal. | An Addisonian crisis can occur when an accident or illness causes symptoms to worsen. These can include sudden [https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/back-pain pain in the lower back], legs or abdomen, low blood pressure, severe vomiting and diarrhoea and loss of consciousness. An untreated Addisonian crisis can be fatal. | ||
In the case of accident, illness, vomiting or diarrhoea people with Addison’s disease must have their medication adjusted according to their specific needs. | |||
In the case of accident, illness, vomiting or diarrhoea people with | == Addison’s disease diagnosis == | ||
Addison’s disease can be diagnosed in a variety of ways, including: | |||
== | |||
* blood tests to determine hormone levels | * blood tests to determine hormone levels | ||
* a blood sugar test | * a blood sugar test | ||
* [https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/x-rays X-ray], [https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/magnetic-resonance-imaging-mri MRI] or [https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/ct-scan CT scan] to look at the structure of the adrenal or pituitary glands | * [https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/x-rays X-ray], [https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/magnetic-resonance-imaging-mri MRI] or [https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/ct-scan CT scan] to look at the structure of the adrenal or pituitary glands | ||
* medical and family history. | * medical and family history. | ||
== Addison’s disease treatment == | |||
== | Treatment for Addison’s disease requires life-long steroid replacement therapy. This includes corticosteroid tablets, corticosteroid injections, androgen replacement and sometimes increased sodium (salt) intake. | ||
Treatment for | People with Addison’s [[disease]] are advised to wear an identification disc or bracelet noting treatment in an emergency. | ||
People with | |||
{{Adrenal gland disorder}} | {{Adrenal gland disorder}} | ||
{{Hypersensitivity and autoimmune diseases}} | {{Hypersensitivity and autoimmune diseases}} | ||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Addison's Disease}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Addison's Disease}} | ||
[[Category:Adrenal gland disorders]] | [[Category:Adrenal gland disorders]] | ||
Latest revision as of 22:12, 5 April 2025
Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD's medical weight loss NYC, sleep center NYC
Philadelphia medical weight loss and Philadelphia sleep clinics
| Addison's disease | |
|---|---|
| File:A 69-Year-Old Female with Tiredness and a Persistent Tan 01.png | |
| Synonyms | Primary adrenal insufficiency, hypocortisolism |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Specialty | N/A |
| Symptoms | Fatigue (medical), muscle weakness, weight loss, hyperpigmentation, hypotension, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, salt craving |
| Complications | Adrenal crisis |
| Onset | Gradual |
| Duration | Long-term |
| Types | N/A |
| Causes | Autoimmune adrenalitis, tuberculosis, adrenal hemorrhage, infections, metastatic cancer |
| Risks | Autoimmune diseases, genetic predisposition |
| Diagnosis | ACTH stimulation test, serum cortisol, electrolyte imbalance |
| Differential diagnosis | Secondary adrenal insufficiency, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, hypothyroidism |
| Prevention | None |
| Treatment | Glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid replacement therapy |
| Medication | Hydrocortisone, fludrocortisone |
| Prognosis | Good with treatment |
| Frequency | 4.4–6.0 per 100,000 per year |
| Deaths | Rare with treatment |
Addison's disease occurs when the adrenal glands do not produce enough of the hormones cortisol and aldosterone (both corticosteroids).
It is also known as chronic adrenal insufficiency, or hypocortisolism. It can make people feel weak and tired, but it can also be effectively treated with replacement steroids.
Types of Addison’s disease[edit]
There are two main types of Addison’s disease.
- Primary adrenal insufficiency: the adrenal glands do not produce enough cortisol and aldosterone
- Secondary adrenal insufficiency: the pituitary gland in the brain does not release enough of the hormone that stimulates the adrenal gland to release cortisol.
What causes Addison’s disease?[edit]
Addison’s disease may be caused by anything that damages the adrenal glands, such as:
- autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks some of the bodies own tissues)
- Infection of the adrenal glands
- blood loss, blood thinning drugs
- cancer in the adrenal glands
- bleeding in the adrenal glands
- tuberculosis
- conditions such as type 1 diabetes
- genetic defects
- disease in the pituitary glands
- If you suddenly stop taking corticosteroids for conditions like asthma or arthritis.
It can also be caused by anything that affects the pituitary gland in the brain, such as a tumour.
Addison’s disease symptoms[edit]
The symptoms of Addison’s disease start gradually and can include:
- a darkening of the skin, with or without sun exposure
- weight loss
- low blood pressure and sometimes fainting
- fatigue and muscle weakness
- loss of appetite
- salt cravings
- low blood sugar
- abdominal pain
- muscle or joint pains
- poor growth in children
- nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea
- irritability and depression
- menstrual periods that become irregular or stop
- Loss of hair
- Sexual problems in women.
What is an Addisonian crisis?[edit]
An Addisonian crisis can occur when an accident or illness causes symptoms to worsen. These can include sudden pain in the lower back, legs or abdomen, low blood pressure, severe vomiting and diarrhoea and loss of consciousness. An untreated Addisonian crisis can be fatal. In the case of accident, illness, vomiting or diarrhoea people with Addison’s disease must have their medication adjusted according to their specific needs.
Addison’s disease diagnosis[edit]
Addison’s disease can be diagnosed in a variety of ways, including:
- blood tests to determine hormone levels
- a blood sugar test
- X-ray, MRI or CT scan to look at the structure of the adrenal or pituitary glands
- medical and family history.
Addison’s disease treatment[edit]
Treatment for Addison’s disease requires life-long steroid replacement therapy. This includes corticosteroid tablets, corticosteroid injections, androgen replacement and sometimes increased sodium (salt) intake. People with Addison’s disease are advised to wear an identification disc or bracelet noting treatment in an emergency.
| Adrenal gland disorder | ||||||||||||||
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| Hypersensitivity and autoimmune diseases (279.5–6) | ||||||||||||||||
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