An infrequent condition known as Addison’s disease, also known as adrenal insufficiency, arises when the body is unable to produce enough of a particular hormone. The adrenal glands produce insufficient amounts of cortisol and, frequently, aldosterone when a person has Addison’s disease.
Anybody can get Addison’s disease, which has the potential to be fatal. Hormone replacement therapy is used to replace lost hormones.
Symptoms
The symptoms of Addison’s disease typically develop gradually over several months. Those who have the disease may initially ignore the symptoms because it can progress so slowly. Then, a stressor like a disease or injury exacerbates the symptoms.
Among the symptoms could be:
- Overwhelming exhaustion
- Loss of appetite and weight
- Darkened skin patches
- Reduced blood pressure, even passing out
- A craving for salt
- Low blood sugar, sometimes known as hypoglycemia
- Vomiting, diarrhoea, or nausea
- Stomach ache
- Joint and muscle soreness
- Intolerance
- Depression
- In certain individuals, sexual problems or body hair loss
The term addisonian crisis refers to acute adrenal failure.
Addison’s disease symptoms can occasionally strike out of nowhere. Shock that is potentially fatal can result from acute adrenal failure. Seek urgent care in the event of the following:
- extreme weakness
- perplexity
- discomfort in the legs or lower back
- severe stomach aches, diarrhoea, and vomiting that causes dehydration
- diminished awareness or delirium
- low BP
Causes
Adrenal gland injury is the cause of Addison’s disease. Immediately above the kidneys are the adrenal glands. They produce hormones that impact practically all of the body’s organs and tissues as members of the endocrine system. Too little cortisol and frequently aldosterone are produced when these glands are damaged.
There are two parts to the adrenal glands. Adrenaline-like hormones are produced by the medulla, located inside the body. Corticosteroids are a class of hormones produced by the outer layer, also known as the cortex. Among corticosteroids are:
Glucocorticoids. Cortisol is one of these hormones that has an impact on the body’s capacity to convert food into energy. They also aid in the body’s reaction to stress and are involved in the inflammatory response of the immune system.
Mineralocorticoids. These hormones, which include aldosterone, maintain a healthy blood pressure range by balancing the body’s sodium and potassium levels.
Androgens. These sex hormones are produced in trace amounts by the adrenal glands in all individuals. They are the source of male sexual development. Additionally, they have an impact on each person’s sense of wellbeing, libido, or sex drive, and muscle mass.
Primary deficiency of adrenal glands
Damage can occasionally occur to the cortex, the outer layer of the adrenal glands. Then it becomes incapable of producing enough hormones, a condition known as primary adrenal insufficiency. Usually, an autoimmune disease causes this, where the body targets itself. Individuals who have Addison’s disease also have a higher likelihood than the general population of having another autoimmune disease.
Other potential reasons for adrenal gland failure could be:
- tuberculosis
- additional adrenal gland infections
- cancer that has spread to the adrenal glands
- haemorrhaging within the adrenal glands
Adrenal insufficiency secondary
Adrenocorticotropic hormone is produced by the pituitary gland (ACTH). The adrenal cortex then produces hormones as a result of ACTH. The pituitary gland may produce insufficient amounts of ACTH due to inflammation, non-cancerous pituitary tumours, and pituitary surgery.
The adrenal glands may produce insufficient amounts of androgens and glucocorticoids as a result of inadequate ACTH. Secondary adrenal insufficiency is the term used for this.
A large number of secondary adrenal insufficiency symptoms are identical to primary adrenal insufficiency symptoms. Those who have secondary adrenal insufficiency, on the other hand, are less likely to experience severe dehydration or low blood pressure and do not have darkened skin. Their blood sugar levels are more likely to be low.
When people who take corticosteroids, like prednisone, to treat ailments like asthma or arthritis abruptly stop taking the medication instead of gradually weaning off, it can lead to a temporary secondary adrenal insufficiency.
Complications
Addisonian crisis. An addisonian crisis could occur if you have untreated Addison’s disease and your body is under stress from an injury, infection, or sickness. In reaction to physical stress, the adrenal glands typically produce two or three times the normal amount of cortisol. An addisonian crisis can occur when there is insufficient adrenal gland to increase the amount of cortisol produced in response to stress.
A potentially fatal condition known as an addisonian crisis is characterised by low blood pressure, low blood sugar, and elevated potassium levels. It needs medical attention right away.
Additional autoimmune conditions. Autoimmune diseases are frequently associated with Addison’s disease patients.
Prevention
Although Addison’s disease cannot be stopped, an Addisonian crisis can be avoided in certain situations:
- If you are losing weight naturally or if you feel weak or exhausted all the time, see your doctor. Inquire about a lack of adrenaline.
- If you have been given an Addison’s disease diagnosis, find out from your doctor what to do in an emergency. It might be necessary for you to learn how to take corticosteroids at higher doses.
- See an emergency room if you become very ill, especially if you are vomiting and unable to take your medication.
Some Addison’s disease patients are concerned that hydrocortisone or prednisone may have harmful side effects. On the other hand, adverse effects from high-dose glucocorticoids are less common in patients with Addison’s disease. This is so that the dose that is recommended can fill in the amount that is lacking.
Make sure to schedule routine check-ups with your physician if you take cortisone to ensure that your dosage is appropriate.
