What is Addison's disease?

Addison's disease is a rare endocrine disorder in which the adrenal glands do not produce enough cortisol and often not enough aldosterone. These hormones help regulate stress response, blood pressure, salt balance, and energy levels.

Addison's disease is usually caused by autoimmune damage to the adrenal glands. Other causes can include infections, bleeding into the adrenal glands, cancer, genetic disorders, and certain medications that affect hormone production.

Common symptoms of Addison's disease include fatigue, weight loss, low blood pressure, dizziness, salt cravings, nausea, abdominal pain, and skin darkening. Symptoms often develop gradually and may be overlooked at first.

Addison's disease is diagnosed with blood tests that measure cortisol, ACTH, sodium, and potassium, along with stimulation testing to assess adrenal function. Doctors may also order imaging or tests to find the underlying cause.

Addison's disease is a type of primary adrenal insufficiency. In Addison's disease, the adrenal glands themselves are damaged, whereas other forms of adrenal insufficiency may involve the pituitary gland or hypothalamus.

Addison's disease usually cannot be cured, but it can be managed effectively with lifelong hormone replacement therapy. With proper treatment and monitoring, many people live active and healthy lives.

Addison's disease is treated with replacement hormones such as hydrocortisone or prednisone for cortisol and fludrocortisone for aldosterone when needed. Treatment plans are individualized and may need adjustment during illness, stress, or surgery.

An Addisonian crisis is a life-threatening emergency in Addison's disease caused by extremely low cortisol, often with severe dehydration, low blood pressure, vomiting, confusion, or shock. It requires immediate emergency treatment with injectable steroids and fluids.

An Addisonian crisis in Addison's disease can be triggered by infection, surgery, injury, missed steroid doses, severe vomiting or diarrhea, or major physical stress. People with Addison's disease are usually advised to follow stress-dose steroid instructions.

Yes, Addison's disease can cause skin darkening, also called hyperpigmentation. This happens because higher ACTH levels stimulate pigment production, especially in skin creases, scars, gums, and pressure areas.

Yes, Addison's disease often causes low blood pressure because of cortisol and aldosterone deficiency. People may feel dizzy, faint, or weak, especially when standing up quickly.

Yes, Addison's disease can cause salt cravings because the body loses too much sodium when aldosterone is low. This can also contribute to dehydration and low blood pressure.

Common blood test abnormalities in Addison's disease include low sodium, high potassium, low cortisol, and elevated ACTH. Some people may also have low blood sugar or signs of dehydration.

Addison's disease can sometimes run in families, especially when it is linked to autoimmune conditions or inherited syndromes. Having a family history may increase risk, but most cases are not directly inherited.

Yes, Addison's disease often occurs with other autoimmune diseases such as thyroid disease, type 1 diabetes, or vitiligo. This combination may be part of an autoimmune polyglandular syndrome.

Someone with Addison's disease should usually follow a sick-day plan that may include increasing steroid doses during fever, infection, or significant stress. If vomiting prevents taking medication or if severe symptoms occur, urgent medical care is needed.

Yes, Addison's disease can be dangerous during surgery because the body needs extra cortisol during physical stress. Doctors typically give stress-dose steroids before and after procedures to prevent an adrenal crisis.

Addison's disease can affect overall health during fertility and pregnancy, but many people have successful pregnancies with careful monitoring and hormone adjustment. Pregnancy usually requires close coordination with endocrinology and obstetric care.

Common medications for Addison's disease include hydrocortisone, prednisone, or dexamethasone to replace cortisol, and fludrocortisone to replace aldosterone. Some people also carry injectable hydrocortisone for emergencies.

Someone with Addison's disease should seek emergency help if they have severe weakness, vomiting, confusion, fainting, severe dehydration, or signs of shock. These may indicate an Addisonian crisis that requires immediate treatment.