Disease Information for Addison's disease (chronic adrenal ins): Definition

Addison"s Disease; Adrenal Hypoplasia; Adrenocortical Hypofunction; Adrenocortical Insufficiency; Chronic Adrenocortical Insufficiency; Primary Adrenal Insufficiency

Primary Failure Adrenocortical Insufficiency; Subdivisions are Congenital Addison"s Disease; X-Linked Addison"s Disease;Idiopathic autoimmune; Post tuberculosis Addision disease; Addison"s disease is a rare disorder characterized by chronic, usually progressive, inadequate production of the steroid hormones cortisol and aldosterone by the outer layer of cells of the adrenal glands (adrenal cortex); Classical Addison’s disease is a consequence of the loss of both of these hormones; Cortisol affects carbohydrate metabolism connective tissue development and the amount of water in the body; Aldosterone affects the sodium and potassium ion equilibrium (electrolyte imbalance) in the body, as well as water levels and, therefore, blood pressure and blood volume; Increased excretion of water and low blood pressure (hypotension) can lead to extremely low concentrations of water in the body (dehydration); Major symptoms of Addison"s disease include fatigue, gastrointestinal discomfort, and changes in skin color (pigmentation); [NORD 2005] Most common adult cause in US is now autoimmune/idiopathic; formerly the cause was usually post-tuberculosis, even active TBC- less common now but this was the usual 50 years ago and likely still is, in developing countries. -------------------------------------------------Addison"s Disease NORD Notes-------------

Adrenal Hypoplasia; Adrenocortical Hypofunction;

Adrenocortical Insufficiency; Chronic Adrenocortical Insufficiency; Primary Adrenal Insufficiency; Primary Failure Adrenocortical Insufficiency; Subdivisions:

Congenital Addison"s Disease; X-Linked Addison"s Disease.

Discussion: Addison"s disease is a rare disorder characterized by chronic, usually progressive, inadequate production of the steroid hormones cortisol and aldosterone by the outer layer of cells of the adrenal glands (adrenal cortex); Classical Addison’s ; Cortisol affects carbohydrate metabolism connective tissue development and the amount of water in the body; Aldosterone affects the sodium and potassium ion equilibrium (electrolyte imbalance) in the body, as well as water levels and, therefore, blood pressure and blood volume; Increased excretion of water and low blood pressure (hypotension) can lead to extremely low concentrations of water in the body (dehydration); Major symptoms of Addison"s disease include fatigue, gastrointestinal discomfort, and changes in skin color (pigmentation). [NORD 2005]

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