Addison’s disease is a disease of the adrenal gland. This disease occurs when corticosteroid hormone production gets disrupted. As the production of this hormone is disrupted, the body does not get sufficient amount of the hormones. This results in causing disturbances in the body. The adrenal gland produces different kinds of hormones. The water and salt that gets lost by the kidneys is regulated by the aldosterone hormone. Besides, it also helps in controlling the blood pressure. The corticosteroid and cortisol is responsible for the metabolism of carbohydrate, fat and protein. It is also responsible for controlling inflammation and stress recovery. When the production of the hormone from the adrenal gland is stopped it results in several adverse symptoms in humans like weight loss, lethargy etc. These are often symptoms that are associated with the Addison’s disease.

Causes of Addison’s Disease

In most cases Addison’s disease is caused when the body for some reason attacks the adrenal gland. The reason for such attack is still unknown. This kind of reaction is known as autoimmune reaction. Addison’s disease is caused when there is a disruption in the production of the corticosteroid hormone. This disruption may be caused because of the adrenal gland’s disorder. The production can also be affected because of insufficient secretion of ACTH. Addison’s disease however, can also be caused by cancer, HIV, tuberculosis and different other adrenal gland diseases.

Symptoms of Addison’s Disease

There are different symptoms of the Addison’s disease. People suffering from this disease feel weak. They become lethargic and lose both their weight and appetite. People suffering from Addison’s disease also suffer from vomiting and abdominal pain that keeps on reoccurring. People suffering from this disease also face problems like fall in the level of blood pressure, a fall in the level of blood sodium and a rise in the potassium level in the blood. Another symptom of this disease is a change in the skin’s pigmentation. Some other symptoms include creasing of the palm’s skin, darkening of the knee or elbow and even darkening of the inside portion of the mouth.

Treatments of Addison’s Disease

There are different methods for treating Addison’s disease. The treatment is done in accordance to the cause of the disease. The disease is caused because of the disruption in the production of hormones by the adrenal glands. So the treatment includes providing substitutes for these hormones. Hydrocortisone tablets are prescribed as substitutes of cortisol. These tablets are synthetic glucocorticoid and should be taken 1-2 times everyday. Fludrocortisone acetate, a mineralocorticoid is prescribed as a substitute of aldosterone. This tablet should be taken once daily. People who consume this medicine are advised by doctors to increase the consumption of salt.

Addison’s disease can also be treated by surgery. Surgery is needed in cases of people having chronic adrenal deficiency. These patients prior to surgery are provided with hydrocortisone injections. These injections are given to the patients till they are capable of consuming the medicines by mouth.

Advices

A person who is suffering from Addison’s disease should always possess an identification card that states his condition. This can be of great help in cases of emergencies. The card must contain the name of the patient’s doctor and his telephone number. Besides, it must contain even the patient’s nearest relative’s name and phone number. A person suffering from this disease, when traveling should always carry a needle, cortisol in an injectable form and syringe in case of emergencies.