Addison's disease (also known as chronic adrenal insufficiency, or hypocortisolism) is a rare endocrine disorder, first described by British physician Thomas Addison. It is estimated that it affects about 1 to 2 in 100,000 people. It occurs when the adrenal glands, seated above the kidneys, fail to produce enough of the hormone cortisol and, sometimes, the hormone aldosterone. Addison's disease refers specifically to primary adrenal insufficiency, in which the adrenal glands themselves malfunc ...

Including:

• Addison's disease - Signs and symptoms
• Addison's disease - Early signs
• Addison's disease - Addisonian crisis
• Addison's disease - Diagnosis
• Addison's disease - Pathophysiology
• Addison's disease - Treatment
• Addison's disease - Famous patients
• Addison's disease - In animals
• Addison's disease - Reference

Read more here: » Addison's disease: Encyclopedia - Addison's disease

Addison's disease - Early signs. Addison's disease progresses slowly, and symptoms may not present or be noticed until some stressful illness or situation occurs. Common symptoms are: chronic fatigue that gradually worsens muscle weakness loss of appetite weight loss nausea/vomiting diarrhea low blood pressure that falls further when standing (orthostatic hypotension) areas of hyperpigmentation (darkened skin), known as melasma suprarenal ...

See also:

Addison's disease, Addison's disease - Signs and symptoms, Addison's disease - Early signs, Addison's disease - Addisonian crisis, Addison's disease - Diagnosis, Addison's disease - Pathophysiology, Addison's disease - Treatment, Addison's disease - Famous patients, Addison's disease - In animals, Addison's disease - Reference

Read more here: » Addison's disease: Encyclopedia II - Addison's disease - Signs and symptoms

In suspected cases of Addison's disease, one needs to demonstrate that adrenal hormone levels are low after appropriate stimulation with synthetic pituitary hormone. Once demonstrated, the cause of adrenal failure needs to be elucidated. The most common cause is autoimmune, and can be tested for with an assay for 21-hydroxylase antibodies. If there are no antibodies present, infectious or genetic causes should be sought. This may include imaging of the adrenal glands, tests for tuberculosis or HIV ...

See also:

Addison's disease, Addison's disease - Signs and symptoms, Addison's disease - Early signs, Addison's disease - Addisonian crisis, Addison's disease - Diagnosis, Addison's disease - Pathophysiology, Addison's disease - Treatment, Addison's disease - Famous patients, Addison's disease - In animals, Addison's disease - Reference

Read more here: » Addison's disease: Encyclopedia II - Addison's disease - Diagnosis

Eighty to ninety percent of cases of Addison's disease are said to be due to autoantibodies directed against adrenal cells containing 21-hydroxylase, an enzyme involved in the production of cortisol and aldosterone. The remainder of cases are due to tuberculosis, HIV, sarcoidosis, amyloidosis, hemochromatosis, metastatic cancer to the adrenal glands, adrenal haemorrhage and congenital adrenal hyperplasia. Addison's disease can be an expression of an autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome when autoimmune reactions against other organs are also present. In APS type 1, 70% suf ...

See also:

Addison's disease, Addison's disease - Signs and symptoms, Addison's disease - Early signs, Addison's disease - Addisonian crisis, Addison's disease - Diagnosis, Addison's disease - Pathophysiology, Addison's disease - Treatment, Addison's disease - Famous patients, Addison's disease - In animals, Addison's disease - Reference

Read more here: » Addison's disease: Encyclopedia II - Addison's disease - Pathophysiology