What is Addison’s disease?
Addison’s disease is a condition that affects your body’s adrenal glands. These glands are located on top of your kidneys. They make hormones that affect mood, growth, metabolism, tissue function, and how your body responds to stress.
Addison’s disease damages those glands. It causes your body to stop producing hormones. The disease usually affects people between the ages of 30 and 50. However, it can occur at any age and affects both men and women.
What are the symptoms of Addison’s disease?
Symptoms appear over a period of several months. They are difficult to diagnose because they are vague. Symptoms include:
- Tired
- Muscle weakness
- Joint or muscle pain
- Fever
- Weight loss
- Nausea, vomiting, and or diarrhea (leading to dehydration)
- Headache
- sweat
- Changes in mood or personality, such as irritability, anxiety or depression
- Loss of appetite
- Darkening of the skin (called hyperpigmentation)
- Lightheadedness or fainting when standing up, due to low blood pressure
- Craving for salty food
- Sudden, severe pain in the abdomen (lower stomach), lower back, or legs
- Confusion or stuttering
- slow motion
- Convulsion
- High fever
When symptoms suddenly or quickly get worse, it’s called acute adrenal insufficiency. It is sometimes called the Addison crisis. This can lead to death if left untreated. If you have any of the following symptoms, get medical help right away:
- Sudden, severe pain in the lower back, abdomen, or legs
- Severe vomiting and diarrhea (which can lead to dehydration)
- Blood pressure lower than normal
- High in potassium and low in sodium
What causes Addison’s disease?
Addison’s disease is caused by damage to your adrenal glands. It can also happen when your glands are affected by another medical condition. This is called adrenal insufficiency. There are 2 types of adrenal insufficiency:
Primary adrenal insufficiency: This happens because of damage to your adrenal glands from an autoimmune disease (when your immune system attacks different parts of your body). Other causes of primary adrenal insufficiency include:
- Tuberculosis (or other infection) of the adrenal glands
- Adrenal gland cancer
- Adrenal gland bleeding
Secondary adrenal insufficiency: This happens when another condition causes the adrenal glands to stop producing hormones. For example, if there is a problem with your pituitary gland, or you suddenly stop taking a corticosteroid medicine after using it for a long time. Corticosteroids are used to treat conditions such as asthma, allergies, arthritis, cancer, and immune system problems.
What causes Addison’s disease?
Addison’s disease is caused by damage to your adrenal glands or when your glands are affected by another medical condition. This is called adrenal insufficiency. There are 2 types of adrenal insufficiency:
Primary adrenal insufficiency: This happens because of damage to your adrenal glands from an autoimmune disease (when your body attacks its own immune system). Other causes of primary adrenal insufficiency include:
- Tuberculosis (or other infection) of the adrenal glands
- Adrenal gland cancer
- Adrenal gland bleeding
Secondary adrenal insufficiency: This happens when another condition causes the adrenal glands to stop producing hormones. For example, a problem with your pituitary gland can cause secondary Addison’s disease. Or, you could get Addison’s disease if you suddenly stop taking a corticosteroid medicine (such as prednisone). Corticosteroids are sometimes prescribed to treat conditions such as asthma, allergies, arthritis, cancer, and immune system problems.
How is Addison’s disease diagnosed?
Your doctor will ask you about your medical history and symptoms. He or she can also perform lab tests to determine if you have Addison’s disease. Lab tests include:
- Blood tests to measure hormone and mineral levels in your body. Your doctor may test your blood before and after an injection to see if your body is responding normally to increased levels of certain hormones.
- Computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to look at the size of your adrenal or pituitary gland. These scans are similar to X-rays.
Is Addison’s Disease Preventable?
Addison’s disease cannot be prevented or avoided.
Treatment of Addison’s disease
Treatment for Addison’s disease usually involves taking prescription hormones. This may include hydrocortisone, prednisone, or cortisone acetate. If your body doesn’t produce enough of the hormone aldosterone, your doctor may prescribe fludrocortisone. These drugs are taken daily.
Your doctor may also recommend that you take a medicine called dehydroepiandrosterone. This is a synthetic version of a hormone produced by your body. Some women with Addison’s disease find that taking this medicine improves their mood and sex drive.
If you are going through an Addisonian crisis, you need immediate medical attention. Treatment usually includes injections of hydrocortisone, saline (saline), and dextrose (sugar). These help restore blood pressure, blood sugar, and potassium levels.
Living with Addison’s disease
Living with Addison’s disease involves learning to live with uncomfortable symptoms. Also, you need to be prepared for the possibility of an Addisonian crisis. This is a medical emergency that requires you to:
- Always carry a medical alert tag and bracelet. This provides emergency medical personnel with information about your condition.
- Carry a backup medicine in case you forget to take it. Ask your doctor about an injectable corticosteroid for emergency use.
- Let your doctor know if your symptoms change or if your medicine stops working as it used to.