The Crisis of Addison’s Disease

Basic Definition:

Addison’s disease is a life threatening disorder which occurs when the human body produces insufficient amount of hormones by the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands actually produce very little cortisol and also insufficient level of aldosterone. Addison’s disease is also known as adrenal insufficiency or hypocortisolism which can occur in all age groups and it also affects both male and female. This disease can be treated by the intake of hormones which the adrenal glands fail to produce, thus mimicking the benefits of the hormones which should have been produced naturally.

Symptoms

There are various symptoms related to Addison’s disease which build up slowly and takes several months, the symptoms may include:

• Weakness in muscles and muscle fatigue.
• Loss of appetite and weight loss.
• Skin darkening.
• Low blood pressure which can lead to fainting.
• Craving for salt.
• Hypoglycemia i.e. low blood sugar.
•  Joint pains
• Depression.
• Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
• Irritability.

Addisonian Crisis – Adrenal Failure: The signs and symptoms of Addison’s disease can appear suddenly, the symptoms of adrenal failure include –

• Lower back pain and pain in abdomen or legs
• Dehydration caused by severe vomiting and diarrhea
• Loss of consciousness
• Low blood pressure
• Hyperkalemia – High Potassium

Time to see the Doctor: It is time to see you doctor if you suffer from any of the symptoms mentioned below, as these symptoms are some of the most common ones suffered by patients suffering from Addison’s disease.

• Hyper pigmentation – Darkening of Skin.
• Unintentional Weight Loss.
• Severe Fatigue.
• Gastrointestinal problems such as nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.
• Salt cravings.
• Joint or muscle pains.
• Fainting or Dizziness.

It is your physician who can determine the exact cause of all these symptoms and suggest you a proper treatment or the same.

Causes that Lead to Addison’s Disease: Addison’s disease take place when the adrenal glands are damaged and they produce insufficient amount of hormone called as cortisol which is also known as aldosterone. The adrenal glands are [placed just above your kidney, they are responsible for giving instructions to each and every organ in your body. The adrenal glands have 2 sections; the interior section is known as medulla and produces hormones like adrenaline. The outer layer cortex produces hormones which are called as corticosteroids. The outer section is also known to produce some more hormones known as glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids androgens – which is a male sex hormone.

Importance of glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids:

Glucocorticoids: This hormone includes cortisol and converts the food into energy; it also plays an important role in the immune systems inflammatory response as it also helps the body to respond to stress.

Androgens: The adrenal glands are also known to produce male sex hormones known as androgens. Androgens are known to improve the well being of both men and women and it also influences the muscle mass and libidos.

Mineralocorticoids: It includes aldosterone and also maintains the body’s level of sodium and potassium and helps maintain as normal blood pressure.

Primary Adrenal Insufficiency: The Addison’s disease occurs when the outer layer of the adrenal glands cortex is damaged and produces insufficient amount of hormones which lead to adrenal insufficiency. The failures of these glands actually produce adrenocorticol hormones which are well known to attack itself; the immune system gets confused and considers this hormone as a foreign entity and starts attacking it.

The causes related to failure of adrenal glands are:

• Tuberculosis.
• Infection in adrenal glands.
• Cancer in adrenal glands.
• Bleeding in adrenal glands.

Secondary Adrenal Insufficiency:  If the pituitary gland is diseased the adrenal insufficiency can take place. The pituitary gland is known for producing a hormone known as adrenocorticotropic, which actually stimulates the adrenal cortex for producing its hormone. Inadequate production of ACTH can also lead to insufficiency of hormones which can be produced normally by the adrenal glands. This can be declared as adrenal insufficiency by your physician even though the adrenal glands are not yet damaged. The second adrenal insufficiency occurs when the patients who suffer from corticosteroids for treatment of chronic conditions such as arthritis and asthma suddenly stop taking corticosteroids.

The Crisis: The addisonian disease if not treated can be aggravated by physical stress, injury, illness or infection.