Addison’s disease is a disease that develops due to damage to the adrenal glands and as a result, the body does not produce enough cortisol and aldosterone. Part of the endocrine system, the adrenal glands produce hormones that keep nearly every organ and tissue in the body functioning properly.
The adrenal glands consist of two parts. The inner part, called the medulla, produces adrenaline-like hormones. The outer layer, called the cortex, provides the secretion of hormones called corticosteroids. Corticosteroids also include the following hormones:
Glucocorticoids: These hormones, which contain cortisol, enable the body to convert food into energy and also help the body respond to situations such as stress.
• Mineralocorticoids: These hormones, which contain aldosterone, maintain the sodium and potassium balance in the body in order to keep blood pressure at normal levels.
Androgens: Androgens are the name given to the hormones secreted in the shell of the adrenal gland in both men and women. Insulin sensitivity in metabolism is effective in determining the body’s fat and muscle tissue and in the distribution of these tissues.
Addison’s disease is divided into two groups. The first is primary adrenal insufficiency. The other group is called secondary adrenal insufficiency.
Primary adrenal insufficiency is usually the result of damage to the cortices. This condition is often associated with immune system problems.
Other causes of adrenal gland failure are as follows:
• Tuberculosis (TB)
Other infections in the adrenal glands
Spread of cancer to the adrenal glands
Bleeding in the adrenal glands
Secondary adrenal insufficiency occurs due to insufficient production of the pituitary hormone ACTH, also called adrenocorticotropic. Many of the symptoms seen in secondary adrenal insufficiency are similar to those seen in primary adrenal insufficiency. However, people with secondary adrenal insufficiency do not have skin darkening (hyperpigmentation) and are less likely to experience severe dehydration or low blood pressure. However, these patients are more likely to experience low blood sugar.
What Are the Symptoms of Addison’s Disease?
The symptoms of Addison’s disease usually develop slowly over several months. Often, the disease progresses so slowly that symptoms may not be noticed until something like illness or injury occurs. Common symptoms of Addison’s disease can be listed as follows:
•Overstrain
Weight loss and decreased appetite
• Darkening of the skin (hyperpigmentation)
•Hypotension
•Fainting
Increase in salt consumption
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
Nausea, diarrhea or vomiting (gastrointestinal symptoms)
•Stomach ache
Muscle or joint pain
•Irritability
•Depression
• Loss of body hair or sexual dysfunctions in women
Acute adrenal insufficiency (Addison’s Crisis)
In some cases, the symptoms of Addison’s disease may appear within a very short period of time. This condition, called acute adrenal insufficiency or Addison’s crisis, can be life-threatening. For this reason, it is useful to apply to the hospital urgently in cases where the following symptoms are observed:
Severe dehydration
• Cooling of the skin
Pale and moist skin
•Sweating
Rapid breathing
• Dizziness
Severe vomiting or diarrhea
• Weak and weak muscles
•Headache
drowsiness or loss of consciousness
Along with the Addisonian crisis, the following symptoms may also occur:
•Hypotension
High potassium (hyperkalemia) and low sodium (hyponatremia)
In the hospital, a vascular access is made in the arm to relieve dehydration, and the patient is given plenty of fluids. This liquid contains a mixture of salt and sugar (sodium, glucose and dextrose) that the body lacks at that time. In order to replace the missing cortisol hormone, the patient is injected with hydrocortisone.
When to Seek Medical Assistance for Addison’s Disease?
In cases where the following symptoms are observed in Addison’s disease, it is of great importance to consult a specialist doctor without wasting time:
• Darkening areas on the skin (hyperpigmentation)
• Feeling of tiredness
Sudden weight loss
Stomach and intestinal problems such as nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain
Dizziness or fainting
The desire to consume too much salt
•Muscle and joint pain
How Is Addison’s Disease Diagnosed?
In order to diagnose Addison’s disease, the doctor first asks the patient some questions about the medical history and symptoms. As a result of this evaluation, if deemed necessary, a few of the following tests may be requested from the patient:
Blood analysis: Sodium, potassium, cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels in the blood, which provide the production of adrenal cortex hormones in the blood test.