Addison's disease is the progressive destruction of the adrenal glands. The disease can occur at any age, and it is common in both men and women. The cause of Addison's disease isn't fully understood, but doctors speculate it is an autoimmune disease.
Addison's disease(formerly known aspoison ) isadrenal insufficiency . The symptoms of Addison's diseasebuild up rather slowly due to the fact thathormones , produced in the adrenal cortex, are too low in concentration. Damage to the adrenal glands can occur as a result of tuberculosis, diseases of the pituitary gland or cancer. Adrenal insufficiency may become apparent when you stop taking steroids.
Addison's disease: symptoms
- weakness and fatigue
- anorexic
- lose weight
- stomach pains
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- excessive s alt appetite
- drop in blood pressure, especially after standing up
- darkening of the skin (like a tan) on the exposed parts of the body
- darkening of scars and freckles
- hair loss
- constant feeling of cold
- frequent mood changes.
Women with Addison's disease can have children.
Addison's disease: treatment
Addison's disease is treated for life. Doctors advise patients to wear a bracelet with information about the diagnosis of Addison's disease and the dose and type of medication taken. This is important because at the time of the so-called An adrenal crisis can be helped quickly with an injection of hydrocortisone. In the treatment of Addison's disease, steroid drugs are used, which must not be discontinued (or the dose reduced) without consulting a doctor.
You must do it