1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Glossary

Addison Disease Center

| Next

Addison Disease

• What is Addison disease?
• How does Addison disease occur?
• What is cortisol?
• How is cortisol regulated?
• What is aldosterone?
• What causes Addison disease?
• What is the polyendocrine deficiency syndrome?
• What is secondary adrenal insufficiency?
• What are the signs and symptoms of Addison disease?
• What is an addisonian crisis?
• How is the diagnosis made of Addison disease?
• How is Addison disease treated?
• How is an addisonian crisis treated?
• How can someone with Addison disease go through surgery?
• How do women with Addison disease go through pregnancy?
• What do people with Addison disease need to do?
• Related Addison disease articles:
  Addison's disease - on WebMD

What is Addison disease?

Addison disease is an hormonal (endocrine) disorder involving destruction of the adrenal glands (small glands adjacent to the kidneys). In patients with Addison disease, the diseased glands can no longer produce sufficient adrenal hormones (specifically cortisol) necessary for the normal daily body functions. The disease is characterized by weight loss, muscle weakness, fatigue, low blood pressure, and sometimes darkening of the skin in both exposed and non-exposed parts of the body.

Addison disease affects about 1 in 100,000 people. It occurs in all age groups and afflicts men and women equally.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Glossary

Addison Disease Center

| Next

From the Doctors at MedicineNet.com

Antinuclear Antibody Test - Read about antinuclear antibodies (ANAs), unusual antibodies that can bind to certain structures within the nucleus of the cells, are found in patients whose immune system may be predisposed to cause inflammation against their own body tissues. ANAs are indicative of the potential presence of an autoimmune illness. Source:MedicineNet Hyperkalemia - Hyperkalemia is too much potassium in the blood. It can be caused by a variety of factors. Source:MedicineNet Read 29 more Addison Disease related articles ... Health Tip: Preparing for a CT Scan Health Tip: After Caesarean Section Patching Device Repairs Hole in Heart Registry to Track Those With 'Broken Heart Syndrome' Health Highlights: May 10, 2007 Heavy Drinking May Trigger Irregular Heart Rhythm Skin Patch Approved for Early Parkinson's Race Plays Role in Women's Folic Acid Intake iPods Make the Heart Skip a Beat Proposal to Give FDA More Muscle Gets Mixed Reviews

Last Editorial Review: 4/3/2002