Just above your kidneys, you have two adrenal glands. They’re responsible for producing many of your body’s essential hormones, including cortisol, aldosterone, and adrenaline. Addison’s disease is a condition that happens when your adrenal cortex gets damaged. As a result, the adrenal glands don’t produce enough hormones.
There are two types of Addison’s disease: primary adrenal insufficiency and secondary adrenal insufficiency. The first type occurs as a result of an autoimmune condition in which your immune system attacks your adrenal glands. The glands become so damaged that they can’t make enough hormones anymore. With the second type, your pituitary gland doesn’t make enough adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), a hormone that tells your adrenal glands to make cortisol.
Main symptoms
Several symptoms can indicate Addison’s disease, such as:
- Darkening skin
- Bluish-black coloration around the mouth, nipples, scrotum, or vagina
- Feeling weak, fatigued, or dizzy
- Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
- Low blood pressure
- Low blood sugar
- Irritability
Without treatment, you could face an Addisonian crisis, which may have symptoms such as delirium and hallucinations.
Main causes
Many issues can lead to Addison’s disease. Primary adrenal insufficiency may occur as a result of:
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