Addison's Disease
In 70% of people with Addison's disease the adrenal glands are being attacked by their bodies antibodies this means that they have an autoimmune condition.
Addison's disease is also called chronic adrenal insufficiency, primary adrenal insufficiency, primary failure adrenocortical insufficiency or hypocortisolism.
We have 2 adrenal glands, 1 above each kidney. The outer layers of the adrenal glands make hormones needed by the body - cortisol and aldosterone. The gradual destruction of the outer layers during the disease means adrenal glands do not produce enough of the hormone cortisol and, in some cases, the hormone aldosterone.
Addison's disease is also called chronic adrenal insufficiency, primary adrenal insufficiency, primary failure adrenocortical insufficiency or hypocortisolism.
We have 2 adrenal glands, 1 above each kidney. The outer layers of the adrenal glands make hormones needed by the body - cortisol and aldosterone. The gradual destruction of the outer layers during the disease means adrenal glands do not produce enough of the hormone cortisol and, in some cases, the hormone aldosterone.
The disease was named after Thomas Addison who described patients with this disorder in 1855.
The symptoms result from the insufficient production of the hormones cortisol and aldosterone. Symptoms include:
- fatigue
- changes in skin color
- gastrointestinal problems
- low blood pressure
- dehydration
- mood changes
- increased excretion of water
- muscle pain
- loss of appetite
Diagnosis is confirmed through tests including ACTH stimulation (which measures the amount of cortisol in the blood), x-rays of the adrenal glands in the abdomen and insulin-induced hypoglycemia test.
Treatment is focused on replacing the deficient hormones.
Addison’s Disease Resources
Signs and Symptoms of Addison's Disease
Experience Project. Anonymously connect with people who share your experiences– like those who say 'I Have Addison's Disease'.
AddisonsDisease.Net - Addison's Disease Support & Information ...
This community has been developed to offer those who have and are affected by Addison's Disease with support and information about the disease.
Addisons disease. DermNet NZ
Addisons disease. Authoritative facts about the skin from the New Zealand Dermatological Society.
Addison's Disease Support & Information Forum - Learn about ...
Addison's Disease | Overview -- FamilyDoctor.org
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Learn about the symptoms, causes, diagnosis and treatment of Addison's disease, a disease that affects your body's adrenal glands.Addison's disease
Overview of Addison's disease and adrenal insufficiency disorders.
Addison's Disease - Aviva Directory
Addison's Disease Support. A non-profit organization providing information and support for Addison's Disease
[PDF]
adshg.org.uk website
The website is on-line presence of the UK Addison's Disease Self Help Group (ADSHG).
- Helpful Organisations
- Adrenal Insufficiency United (AIU)
- 3828 Winslow Ave Springfield, OR 97477 USA
- Email: contact@aiunited.org
- Website: http://aiunited.org/
- American Autoimmune & Related Diseases
- 22100 Gratiot Ave.
- Eastpointe, MI 48021
- Phone: (586) 776-3900
- Toll-free: (800) 598-4668
- Email: aarda@aarda.org
- Website: http://www.aarda.org/
- National Adrenal Diseases Foundation
- 505 Northern Boulevard
- Great Neck, NY 11021 USA
- Phone: (516) 487-4992
- Email: nadfsupport@nadf.us
- Website: http://www.nadf.us/
- Pituitary Network Association
- P.O. Box 1958
- Thousand Oaks, CA 91358 USA
- Phone: (805) 499-9973
- Email: info@pituitary.org
- Website: http://www.pituitary.org
- Addison’s Disease Self-Help Group (UK)
- P.O. Box 1083
- Guildford, Surrey, GU1 9HX United Kingdom
- Email: info@addisons.org.uk
- Website: http://www.addisons.org.uk
- Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Support Group
- PO Box 66
- Waihi
- Hauraki, 3641 New Zealand
- Phone: (643) 358-4507
- Toll-free: 800224698
- Email: info.CAHNZ@gmail.com
- Website: http://www.cah.org.nz/
- Hormone Health Network Endocrine Society
- 2055 L Street NW
- Suite 600
- Washington, DC 20036
- Phone: (202) 971-3636
- Toll-free: (888) 363-6274
- Email: hormone@endocrine.org
- Website: http://www.hormone.org/
- Hypoparathyroidism Association, Inc.
- PO Box 2258
- Idaho Falls, ID 83403
- Phone: (208) 524-3857
- Toll-free: (866) 213-0394
- Email: jsanders@hypopara.org
- Website: http://www.hypopara.org
- NIH/National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive & Kidney Diseases
- Office of Communications & Public Liaison
- Bldg 31, Rm 9A06
- Bethesda, MD 20892-2560
- Phone: (301) 496-3583
- Email: NDDIC@info.niddk.nih.gov
- Website: http://www2.niddk.nih.gov/
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