I’m a member of Chatabout. One of the discussion forum’s is about Addison’s disease. This particular forum didn’t have any type of description of what this disease is.
I often check out the health forums there to see what some of the topics being discussed are. Most of them have descriptions.
There was a poster on the site who had a few questions about this topic. Since there wasn’t any information or discussion at all, their questions made me wonder too about Addison’s Disease.
What is it?
This is the first question asked. Addison’s is when the adrenal glands don’t produce enough cortisol, which is a hormone. In some cases, aldosterone may not be produced either.
This disease has been called chronic adrenal insufficiency or hypocrotisolism by doctors.
Why is cortisol important part of a body’s function?
This is more my question while doing the research on this disease. It is important for our bodies to produce the right amount of this hormone to help our bodies respond to stress. Cortisol also help our bodies regulate the use of proteins, controlling inflammation, maintain cardiovascular functions and maintaining our blood pressure, proteins, carbohydrates, and fat.
What can cause the damage to the adrenal cortex?
While the following can cause Addison’s Disease, it doesn’t mean they will.
1. The immune system attacks the gland mistakenly or is a cause of other autoimmune diseases.
2. Tuberculosis, fungal infections, and HIV are just a few infections that can cause this.
3. Blood loss or hemorrhages
4. Tumors
5. The use of anticoagulants.
What are the symptoms?
1. Craving salt is one of the symptoms, but it also doesn’t mean you have this disease.
2. Chronic nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite that results in loss of weight, or diarrhea.
3. Paleness. Paleness in this case is something that is out of your normal range of color because one be pale in color and it not be the symptom of this disease.
4. Patchy looking skin due to darkening of the skin in some places. This symptom can be caused by a number of other things that doesn’t have anything to do with Addison’s Disease. There are other medical conditions that can have the same symptom.
5. Mouth lesions on the inside of the cheek.
6. Salt cravings.
7. Extreme weakness, fatigue, and movements that are slow and sluggish.
Does it kill you?
You can die from Addison’s without proper treatment. However, with hormone replacement therapy, most with this disease can go on to live normal lives.
