Introduction
Let us look into the concept of Addison’s Disease. It is a disorder that affects the glands. An adrenal gland disorder known as Addison’s disorder is a rare but severe condition in which the body fails to produce the critical hormones cortisol and aldosterone. Those who have Addison’s disease require lifelong hormone replacement therapy.
Addison’s Disease
Addison’s disease is characterized by insufficient production of cortisol and aldosterone by the adrenal glands. Cortisol helps the body respond to illness, injury or surgery stressors. This influences the blood volume and blood pressure by regulating the amount of fluid removed by kidneys as urine.
Causes of Addison’s Disease
An autoimmune response causes Addison’s disease, which happens when the body’s immune system (which defends it against infection) attacks its organs and tissues. The outer portion of the adrenal glands (the cortex), where cortisol and aldosterone are produced, is affected in Addison’s disease.
Addison’s gland can also cause:
- Adrenal disease
- Related infections and fungal infections
- Amyloidosis is a disease in which amyloid proteins accumulate in the body
- Flaws in the genetic code
Symptoms of Addison’s Disease
Adrenal gland damage accumulates over time and symptoms emerge gradually. The symptoms are:
- An ache in the abdomen
- Abnormal menstrual cycles
- A craving for salty foods
- Dehydration
- Depression
- Diarrhea
- Irritability
- Light-headedness or dizziness while standing up
- Appetite loss
- Low glucose levels
- Blood strain is low
- Muscle deterioration
- Nausea
- Dark skin patches
- Cold sensitivity
- Vomiting
- Increasing weariness (extreme tiredness)
Diagnosis Addison’s Disease
Your doctor may use the following tests to determine if you have Addison’s disease:
- Physical and Historical: Your doctor will review your symptoms and a physical examination will be performed. Dark patches on your skin may indicate to your doctor that you should be tested for Addison’s disease.
- Insulin-induced Hypoglycemia Test: Blood examinations will be performed in imitation to determine sodium, potassium, cortisol and ACTH in the blood. A doctor may suggest this test if he suspects adrenal deficiency in your body.
To perform this test, first insulin injection is given to the patient then his blood sugar is examined along with cortisol levels. This test will show low glucose levels and increased cortisol levels for anyone who is healthy. If not so, an individual needs to consult a doctor immediately.
- ACTH Incitement Test: This evaluates the rejoinder concerning the adrenal glands by a balance on artificial ACTH. If the adrenal glands’ birth ignoble stages over cortisol consequent to the shot, they may stay dysfunctional.
- X-rays: To check on Addison’s disease, doctors may suggest an X-ray about calcium deposits in the adrenal glands. An individual will likely have Addison’s disease if calcium deposits are detected.
- Computed Tomography (CT scan): Computed tomography combines a couple of X-ray images in cross-sectional views using computers. It can reveal if the adrenal gland has been infected or not.
Treatment for Addison’s Disease
Your health practitioner might prescribe hormones similar to those needed by the adrenal glands in imitation of treating Addison’s disease, such as hydrocortisone pills in conformity with substitute cortisol.
Prognosis for People who have Addison’s Disease
To live a normal yet wholesome life, people with Addison’s disorder should take medication regularly. Additionally, you should consult your doctor about glucose levels and cortisol levels in the body from time to time. For this, your doctor may suggest an Insulin-induced hypoglycemia test or ACHT test on a specific interval.
Adrenal Dysfunction
The adrenal glands cease to function normally for a variety of reasons. Two main reasons are primary and secondary adrenal deficiency. Let us discuss these two reasons in detail below.
Primary adrenal deficiency – If the cortex is not working well and does not produce sufficient adrenocortical hormones, it comes under primary adrenal deficiency. For unknown reasons, your body shows a weak immune system and suffers from other autoimmune diseases. Other reasons for adrenal gland dysfunction involve TB (Tuberculosis), infection in adrenal glands, cancer in adrenal glands, bleeding into adrenal glands or more. In severe cases, you may have an adrenal crisis too, without any previous symptoms.
Secondary adrenal deficiency – When the pituitary gland is not working well and not producing enough adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), it comes under secondary adrenal deficiency. Most of the secondary adrenal deficiency symptoms are similar to primary adrenal deficiency. People suffering from secondary adrenal insufficiency are most likely to have low sugar levels.
Food items to eat and avoid if you have Addison’s disease:
People with Addison’s disease and low aldosterone hormone levels can consume a high-sodium diet. The hormone aldosterone regulates the sodium-potassium balance in the body. Some of the high sodium foods include:
- Products made from grains
- Eggs
- Cheese
- Chicken soup
- Tuna in a can
- Beans in a can
- Salted nuts
- Sesame seeds with salt
Further, treatment for Addison’s disease involves increased doses of corticosteroids that further lead to other health issues like bone fracture and osteoporosis, so you need to check with your doctor to balance vitamin D level and calcium level along with corticosteroids intake.
Treatment in an Emergency
In an emergency, you and a partner or family member may be trained to administer a hydrocortisone injection. This may be required if you go into shock after an injury or have vomiting or diarrhea and cannot take oral medication. For example, this could happen if you’re pregnant and experiencing morning sickness. Your endocrinologist will discuss this with you when an injection may be required.
If you need to administer emergency hydrocortisone, always call your doctor right away. Check to see what after-hours services are available in your area if the emergency occurs outside of normal working hours.
Conclusion
Here we have covered the basic concepts of meaning and definition of Addison’s disease and Addison’s disease examples. According to health experts, Addison’s diseases are not dangerous and people enjoy fitness and a normal lifestyle along with Addison’s sickness. But there is a need to check on a healthy lifestyle and food intake to maintain the adrenal gland levels.
All the vital information related to Addison’s diseases, causes and diagnosis has been explained in-depth throughout the article. We hope it helped you know about Addison’s conditions and related details well.