Description: (from MayoClinic)
Addison's disease is a disorder that results in your body producing
insufficient amounts of certain hormones produced by your adrenal glands.
Your adrenal glands are located just above each of your two kidneys.
These glands are part of your endocrine system, and they produce hormones that give instructions to virtually every organ
and tissue in your body.
In Addison's disease, your adrenal glands produce too little cortisol,
which is one of the hormones in a group called the glucocorticoids. Sometimes, Addison's disease also involves insufficient
production of aldosterone, one of the mineralocorticoid hormones. Addison's disease can be life-threatening.
Also called adrenal insufficiency or hypocortisolism, Addison's disease
can occur at any age, but is most common in people ages 30 to 50. Treatment for Addison's disease involves taking hormones
to replace the insufficient amounts being made by your adrenal glands.
Signs and symptoms of Addison's disease usually develop slowly,
often over several months, and may include:
- Muscle weakness and fatigue
- Weight loss and decreased appetite
- Darkening of your skin (hyperpigmentation)
- Low blood pressure, even fainting
- Salt craving
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
- Nausea, diarrhea or vomiting
- Irritability
- Depression
Sometimes, however, the signs and symptoms of Addison's disease may
appear suddenly. In acute adrenal failure (addisonian crisis), the signs and symptoms may also include:
- Pain in your lower back, abdomen or legs
- Severe vomiting and diarrhea, leading to dehydration
- Low blood pressure
- Loss of consciousness
