What is Addison’s disease?

Addison’s disease is an endocrine or hormonal disorder that occurs in all age groups and afflicts men and women equally.

Since Addison’s disease arises when the adrenal glands do not produce enough of the hormone Cortisol or hormone aldosterone, the disease is thought to be caused by their hypo secretions. Addison’s disease can cause irritability and depression.

Because of salt loss, a craving for salty foods is also common. Hypoglycemia, or low blood glucose, is more severe in children than in adults. In women, menstrual periods may become irregular or stop. The disease is also called adrenal insufficiency, or hypocortisolism.

Since the symptoms progress slowly, they are usually ignored until a stressful event like an illness or an accident makes the conditions worse. This situation is called as an addisonian crisis, or acute adrenal insufficiency.

In most cases, symptoms are severe enough that patients seek medical treatment before a crisis occurs. However, in about 25 percent of patients, symptoms first appear during an addisonian crisis.

Symptoms of an addisonian crisis include sudden penetrating pain in the lower back, abdomen, or legs, severe vomiting and diarrhea, dehydration, low blood pressure, loss of consciousness etc. In its early stages, adrenal insufficiency can be difficult to diagnose.

A diagnosis of Addison’s disease is made by laboratory tests. X-ray exams of the adrenal and pituitary glands are also useful to establish the cause.

Treatment of Addison’s disease involves replacing, or substituting the hormones that the adrenal glands are not making. Cortisol is replaced orally with hydrocortisone tablets, (a synthetic glucocorticoid) taken once or twice a day. If aldosterone is also deficient, it is replaced with oral doses of a mineralocorticoid called fludrocortisone acetate (Florinef).