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You are here : AllRefer.com > Health > Diseases & Conditions > Addison's Disease

Addison's Disease

Provided by A.D.A.M.

Definition

Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors

Symptoms & Signs

Diagnosis & Tests

Treatment

Expectations or Prognosis

Complications

Calling Your Health Care Provider

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Alternate Names : Adrenal Insufficiency, Adrenocortical Hypofunction, Chronic Adrenocortical Insufficiency


Definition

Addison's disease is a hormone deficiency caused by damage to the outer layer of the adrenal gland (adrenal cortex).

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Endocrine Glands
Endocrine Glands

 
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Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors

The adrenal glands are located on top of each kidney. They consist of the outer portion (called the cortex) and the inner portion (called the medulla). The cortex produces three types of hormones: sex hormones, glucocorticoid hormones, and mineralocorticoid hormones.

  • The sex hormones, androgens (male) and estrogens (female) affect sexual development and reproduction.
  • The glucocorticoid hormones (such as cortisol) maintain glucose (sugar) regulation, suppress the immune response, and help the body respond to stress.
  • The mineralocorticoid hormones (such as aldosterone) regulate sodium and potassium balance.

Addison's disease results from damage to the adrenal cortex, which causes decreased production of adrenocortical hormones. This damage may be caused by the following:

  • the immune system mistakenly attacking the gland (autoimmune disease)
  • infections such as tuberculosis, HIV, or fungal infections
  • hemorrhage
  • tumors
  • use of blood-thinning drugs (anticoagulants)

Risk factors for the autoimmune type of Addison's disease include other autoimmune diseases:

These may be caused by certain genetic defects.



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Definition
Addison's Disease Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Addison's Disease Symptoms & Signs
Addison's Disease Diagnosis & Tests
Addison's Disease Treatment
Addison's Disease Prognosis
Addison's Disease Complications
Calling Your Health Care Provider
Pictures & Images

Topics that might be of interest to you

Diseases & Conditions

Autoimmune Disorders
Chronic Thyroiditis (Hashimoto's Disease)
Dermatitis Herpetiformis
Diabetes
Graves' Disease
Hyperthyroidism
Hypoparathyroidism
Hypopituitarism
Myasthenia Gravis
Ovarian Hypofunction
Pernicious Anemia
Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Testicular Failure
Type 1 Diabetes
Vaginal Yeast Infection
Vitiligo

Tests & Exams

17-Hydroxycorticosteroids
17-Ketosteroids
24-Hour Urinary Aldosterone Excretion Rate
Abdominal CT Scan
Abdominal Film
ACTH
Aldosterone
Blood Pressure
CO2
Cortisol - Urine
Cortisol Level
Potassium Test
Pulse
Renin
Serum Sodium

Other Topics

Adrenal Glands
Appetite - Decreased
Blood Pressure - Low
Chronic
Diarrhea
Fatigue
Immune Response
Lighter Fluid
Mouth Sores
Mucosa
Nausea and Vomiting
Paleness
Skin Color - Patchy
Stress and Anxiety
Weakness
Weight Gain - Unintentional
Weight Loss - Unintentional

Review Date : 9/1/2002
Reviewed By : Todd T. Brown, M.D., Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

Main Page of Addison's Disease






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A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial reviewers. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2003 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

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