Disorder of adrenal insufficiency-Addison’s disease

Addison’s disease

It is also called as an adrenal insufficiency, it occurs when the body produces insufficient amounts of certain hormones produced by adrenal glands. In this disease, adrenal glands produce insufficient levels of aldosterone and often too little cortisol as well. It can be life-threatening and occurs in all age groups and affects both sexes.

Causes: Addison's disease results when adrenal glands are damaged, producing insufficient amounts of the hormone cortisol and often aldosterone as well. Other infections of the adrenal glands, Spread of cancer to the adrenal glands, Secondary adrenal insufficiency, Tuberculosis.

Symptoms: Abdominal pain, Extreme fatigue, Low blood pressure, hyper-pigmentation (Darkening of skin), Weight loss and decreased appetite, even fainting, Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, Depression, Acute adrenal failure (addisonian crisis).

Diagnosis:

• Medical history and your signs and symptoms.
• Blood test: Blood levels of potassium, sodium, and cortisol and also the measurement of antibodies associated with autoimmune Addison's disease.
• ACTH stimulation test
• Imaging tests:  tomography (CT) scan of abdomen to check the other abnormalities and size of adrenal glands
• Insulin-induced hypoglycemia test

Treatment:

• Corticosteroid injections: If the patient is ill with vomiting and can't retain oral medications, injections may be needed.
• Oral corticosteroids: Hydrocortisone, prednisone or cortisone acetate may be used to replace cortisol. Fludrocortisones is used to replace the aldosterone.
• Hydrocortisone
• Saline solution
• Sugar (dextrose)

Addisons, endocrine disorder, adrenal insufficiency

• http://patient.info/health/addisons-disease-leaflet
• http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/understanding-addisons-disease-basics
• http://www.addisons.org.uk/index.php/articles.html/_/addisons/

http://www.medicinenet.com/addison_disease/article.htm