Covenant Family Practice - Addison's Disease

Home

Addison's Disease

Written by Robert A Wilson

Thursday, 15 February 2007

Article Index
Addison's Disease
What your doctor can do
What you can do

Page 1 of 3

Addison's disease, or adrenal insufficiency, is a slow and progressive failure of adrenal gland function. Normally functioning adrenal glands produce hormones (such as cortisol) that help regulate a number of important body functions. In most cases, an autoimmune disorder (where the immune system attacks the adrenal glands) is the cause. Adrenal insufficiency can also occur in association with other hormone gland defects, which cause underactive thyroid or slow sexual development. Gradual loss of adrenal hormones will eventually produce symptoms, and in situations involving extra stress, such as an injury or infection, severe additional symptoms can develop. This abrupt worsening is called an Addisonian crisis, or acute adrenal insufficiency, and can be fatal if not treated. Your risk of adrenal insufficiency increases with stress, diabetes, surgery, anticoagulant (blood thinner) treatment, and abruptly discontinuing cortisone (e.g., prednisone) drugs or changing dosage abruptly.

Symptoms may include:

Muscle weakness and fatigue
Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and weight loss
Craving for salty foods
Low blood pressure, which may cause faintness and dizziness, especially with rising from lying or sitting positions
Dark tanning of the skin on non-exposed areas and often more on scars, elbows and knees, lips, and skin folds
Depression, anxiety, or irritability
Abnormal or absent menstrual periods
Acute Adrenal Insufficiency (Addisonian crisis) may cause:
Severe pain in the abdomen, low back or legs
Severe vomiting and diarrhea
Low blood pressure
Unconsciousness or coma

Prev - Next >>

Last Updated ( Friday, 08 February 2008 )

< Prev		Next >

[ Back ]

Newsflash

Overview

Swine influenza is flu virus usually found in pigs. The virus occasionally changes (mutates) and becomes infectious in humans. When this happens, the disease becomes a concern to humans, who have little or no immunity against it. This means the virus has the potential to spread quickly around the world. It also may be more difficult to treat than the usual, seasonal human flu viruses.

Symptoms

Symptoms of H1N1 flu infection in humans are similar to classic flu-like symptoms, which might include: