FACT FILE: Addison’s disease



Addison’s disease impacts approximately 8400 people in the UK, and can affect individuals of any age although it is most common in women and people aged between 30 and 50. It is also referred to as primary adrenal insufficiency, or hypoadrenalism, as it pertains to the adrenal glands not working as they should do. Below, we will delve more into the disease itself, as well as the symptoms and methods of treatment.

Adrenal glands are labelled as endocrine glands as they are a group of specialised cells with the primary function of secreting hormones.
The adrenal glands are situated at the top of the kidneys, and the hormones which they produce related to Addison’s disease are cortisol and aldosterone, produce specifically from the adrenal cortex. Both hormones are vital as they allow for the regulation of not only blood pressure through the balancing of ions but also the body’s reaction to stress. When the adrenal cortex is damaged, not enough of the hormones are produced, thus the body undergoes a number of changes.
The cause of Addison’s disease is most often a problem with the immune system whereby it attacks the adrenal cortex, though why this comes about it not currently known.

SYMPTOMS

Symptoms will change depending on the progression of the disease. Initially, symptoms include:

·         Fatigue
·         Muscle weakness
·         Feeling low
·         Increased penchant for salty foods
·         OR decreased appetite
Gradually, symptoms can become progressively worse, including:
·         Muscle cramps
·         Chronic exhaustion
·         Dizziness and fainting
·         Irregular periods or missing periods; children with the disease can develop puberty later
·         Some people may develop hypoglycaemia, which in turn leads to a several other symptoms including anxiety and difficulty concentrating

TREATMENT

Daily medication is required to replace the hormones that are so readily lost; this is known as corticosteroid replacement therapy. Hydrocortisone is used to replace cortisol and fludrocortisone is often used to treat aldosterone, as well as an increase in daily salt intake being suggested by a GP.
Many people find that taking medication enables them to live normal lives and manage their symptoms, specifically fatigue. In some cases, people will develop other conditions such as diabetes which in itself requires further management. Wearing a bracelet which indicates that an individual has Addison’s disease is often worn. This becomes salient in the event of an accident, as after trauma the normal response of the body is to produce more cortisol to cope with the stress, however Addison’s disease will mean this cannot occur thus the individual will require a hydrocortisone injection.

I hope you found this post informative! Thank you for reading.

By Vicale Czan Alfanti

Universal Medicine

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/addisons-disease/treatment/
http://hjzeimer.com.au/what-is-endocrinology/adrenal-gland-disorder/ (images)
OCR Biology A Textbook


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