What is addisons disease

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Addison’s disease is an endocrine or hormonal disorder that is characterized by weight loss, muscle weakness, and fatigue. [ Source: http://www.chacha.com/question/what-is-addisons-disease ]
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What is addisons disaese?
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_addisons_disaese
Addison’s disease is an endocrine or hormonal disorder that occurs in all age groups and afflicts men and women equally. The disease is characterized by weight loss, muscle weakness, fatigue, low blood pressure, and sometimes darkening of t…
How many of you have autoimmune addisons disease?
http://www.healthboards.com/boards/showthread.php?s=7f8a4fc7c93615dfebea30adf4eb90fc&t=150594&page=5
Hi, I have primary Addisons diagnosed as autoimmue also. In my teens I had some severe gall bladder attacks and had it removed along with my appendix, In my early 20’s my thyroid stopped working, I have been on meds for that for over 20 yea…
Does anyone know anything about Addisons disease?
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20060821195159AAa8JrY
Addison’s disease (also known as chronic adrenal insufficiency, or hypocortisolism) is a rare endocrine disorder which results in the body not producing sufficient amounts of certain adrenal hormones. The condition was first described by Br…

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what exactly does addisons disease do to a person?
Q: my sis has addisons disease and i’d like to know how to tell the difference between her disease and it’s effects and when she’s just being a big old drama queen – – how do I tell? at what age does this disease attack the hardest? how likely is a sudden death from it?
A: Addison’s disease is a hormone deficiency caused by damage to the outer layer of the adrenal gland (adrenal cortex).Symptoms:Extreme weakness Fatigue Unintentional weight loss Nausea and vomiting Chronic diarrhea Loss of appetite Darkening of the skin – patchy skin color Unnaturally dark color in some locations Paleness may also occur Mouth lesions on the inside of a cheek (buccal mucosa) – pigmentation Slow, sluggish, lethargic movement Changes in the blood pressure or heart rate Salt craving Treatment Replacement therapy with corticosteroids will control the symptoms of this disease. However, these drugs must usually be continued for life. Usually a combination of glucocorticoids (cortisone or hydrocortisone) and mineralocorticoids (fludrocortisone) are given.Medication may need to be increased during times of stress, infection, or injury.Adrenal crisis is an extreme manifestation of symptoms of adrenal insufficiency brought on by physical stress. Hydrocortisone must be injected immediately to sustain life. Supportive treatment for low blood pressure is usually necessary as well.Some people with Addison’s disease are taught to give themselves an emergency injection of hydrocortisone during stressful situations. It is important for the individual with Addison’s disease to always carry a medical identification card that states the type of medication and the proper dose needed in case of an emergency.Never skip doses of medication for this condition, as life-threatening reactions may occur. If unable to retain medication due to vomiting, notify your health care provider, go to the emergency room, or call the local emergency number (such as 911) immediately.Also report sudden weight gain or fluid retention to the health care provider.
what are the demographics of people who have addisons disease in the United States?
Q: The numbers of people and where they are spread out that have Addisons Disease?
A: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa4100/is_200412/ai_n9467796
Does anyone know anything about Addisons disease?
Q: My vet is not completely sure what is wrong with my Siberian Husky, but she has mentioned Addisons disease. She has ran alot of blood tests and they came back showing low calcium and high potassium. She gave me calcium tablets and antibiotics. She also gave him a shot of steroids. She said that if he “crashes” again like what he did that caused me to take him in, then it is highly possible that he has Addisons disease. I am not quite sure I understood what this disease is. Anyone had experience with it?
A: Addison’s disease (also known as chronic adrenal insufficiency, or hypocortisolism) is a rare endocrine disorder which results in the body not producing sufficient amounts of certain adrenal hormones. The condition was first described by British physician Thomas Addison in his 1855 publication: On the Constitutional and Local Effects of Disease of the Suprarenal Capsules. Those who have Addison’s are often referred to in research and informational articles as “Addisonians.”CharacteristicsAddison’s disease refers specifically to primary adrenal insufficiency, in which the adrenal glands themselves malfunction; secondary adrenal insufficiency occurs when the anterior pituitary gland does not produce enough adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) to adequately stimulate the adrenal glands.CauseAddison’s Disease is caused by the failure of the adrenal glands, seated above the kidneys, to produce enough of the hormone cortisol and, in some cases, the hormone aldosterone.Signs and symptomsAddison’s disease usually develops slowly (over several months), 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 Weight loss and Loss of appetite Nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting Low blood pressure that falls further when standing (orthostatic hypotension) Areas of hyperpigmentation (darkened skin), known as melasma suprarenale. Irritability Depression Craving for salt and salty foods Hypoglycemia, low blood sugar (worse in children) For women, menstrual periods that become irregular or cease Tetany (particularly after drinking milk) due to phosphate excess Numbness of the extremities, sometimes with paralysis, due to potassium excess Increased number of eosinophils PolyuriaAddisonian crisisIn some cases, Addison’s symptoms may present rapidly. This “acute adrenal failure” is known as an Addisonian crisis and is a severe medical emergency. An illness or accident can aggravate the adrenal problems causing the Addisonian crisis (most common in untreated sufferers), although the most common cause (for those already diagnosed) is abrupt discontinuation of corticosteroid therapy without tapering the dose.Symptoms that may occur include:Sudden penetrating pain in the legs, lower back or abdomen Severe vomiting and diarrhea, resulting in dehydration Low blood pressure Loss of consciousness Hypoglycemia Brown coating on tongue and teeth due to iron loss (hemolysis)FrequencyThe frequency rate of Addison’s disease in the human population is usually estimated at roughly 1 in 100,000. Some research and information sites put the number closer to 40-60 cases per 1 million population. (1/25,000-1/16,600) (Determining accurate numbers for Addison’s is problematic at best and some incidence figures are thought to be underestimates.Addison’s can afflict persons of any age, gender, or ethnicity, but typically presents in adults between 30 and 50 years of age. Women are slightly more likely to develop Addison’s according to some studies. Research has shown no significant predispositions based on ethnicity.HeredityAddison’s Disease is generally not believed to be passed on in humans through genetics. Some research has shown that canine Addison’s may have a genetic component. Further, some of the initial causes of Addison’s may have genetic components that contribute to, but cannot be considered the sole cause of, Addison’s Disease.Medical proceduresTha Mayo Clinic urges one to seek medical advice for potential Addison’s Disease “If you have severe fatigue, have unintentionally lost weight, feel progressively weaker, experience abdominal pain, have fainting spells and your skin has become darker, see your doctor to determine whether Addison’s disease or some other medical condition may be the cause.”DiagnosisIn 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 infection, and searching for metastatic cancer.Primary adrenal insufficiancyAlso known as: Primary Addison’s Disease. Primary Addison’s Disease is caused by damaged adrenal glands where the damage causes the insufficient production of the above-mentioned hormones. Most often the damage is caused by autoimmune disease, where the body creates antibodies that attack the glands (as if it were a disease) in the same way the immune system fights infection. Other causes of failure of the adrenal glands may include the following:Tuberculosis Infections of the adrenal glands Spread of cancer to the adrenal glands Bleeding into the adrenal glandsSecondary adrenal insufficiancyAlso known as: Secondary Addison’s Disease. Often caused by a diseased pituitary gland or when a person on corticosteroid medications for chronic conditions (e.g. arthritis, asthma) abruptly cease taking the medicines. Secondary Addison’s Disease is characterized by inadequate production of the pituitary hormone called adrenocorticotropic hormone, ACTH. ACTH triggers production of adrenal hormones and a shortage of ACTH can cause a shortage of the adrenal hormones, even though the adrenal glands themselves are not damaged.EtiologyEighty 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, Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome (massive, usually bilateral, hemorrhage into the adrenal glands caused by fulminant meningococcemia,) 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% suffer from Addison’s disease, while in type 2, 100% do (by definition).Through these syndromes, Addison’s is associated with hypothyroidism, diabetes mellitus (type 1), vitiligo, alopecia and celiac disease.TreatmentTreatment for Addison’s disease involves replacing the missing cortisol and, if necessary, fludrocortisone as replacement for the missing aldosterone. Caution must be exercised when the person with Addison’s disease has surgery or becomes pregnant. Treatment for an acute attack – an Addisonian Crisis – usually involves intravenous (into blood veins) injections of:Hydrocortisone Saline solution (basically a salt water, same clear IV bag as used to treat dehydration) Dextrose (a type of sugar) Hydrocortisone must usually be continued for life. Medication may need to be increased during times of stress, infection, or injury.PrognosisWhile treatment solutions for Addison’s Disease are far from precise, overall long-term prognosis is typically good. Because of individual physiological differences, each person with Addison’s must work closely with their physician to adjust their medication dosage and schedule to find the most effective routine. Once this is accomplished (and occasional adjustments must be made from time to time, especially during periods of travel, stress, or other medical conditions), symptomology is usually greatly reduced or occasionally eliminated so long as the person continues their dosage schedule accurately.==========Good luck.
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