Addison's Disease
Overview of Addison's Disease
In Addison’s diseases (خون کی کمی), the adrenal gland produces very little amount of these hormones. Cortisol regulates your body response when you are suffering from stress.
Signs and Symptoms of Addison's Disease
The adrenal gland is present on top of your kidneys. This gland regulates your body functions by producing hormones such as cortisol and aldosterone. In Addison’s disease (Khoon Ki Kami/خون کی کمی), the adrenal gland produces very little amount of these hormones. Cortisol regulates your body response when you are suffering from stress. Aldosterone maintains the level of salt and water in your body by helping your kidneys.
Occurrence of Addison’s Disease
Addison’s disease is a rare disease that affects only 1 in 100,000 people. It occurs equally in both sexes (male and female). Overall, it affected 40 and 60 people per million of the general population.
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Types of Addison's Disease
Addison's disease symptoms typically develop gradually and take several months.
You may feel the following common signs and symptoms:
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
- Fatigue
- Low blood pressure, even fainting
- Weight loss and decreased appetite
- Abdominal pain
- Darkening of the skin (hyperpigmentation)
- Salt craving
- Nausea, diarrhoea, or vomiting (gastrointestinal symptoms)
- Muscle or joint pains
- Irritability
- Depression or other behavioural symptoms
- Body hair loss or sexual dysfunction in women
Causes of Addison's Disease
Addison’s disease is of two types:
- Primary adrenal insufficiency
- Secondary adrenal insufficiency
Risk Factors of Addison's Disease
Both types of Addison’s disease occur due to the following reasons:
- Damaged adrenal glands: When your adrenal glands are damaged due to the action of the immune system it results in primary adrenal insufficiency. This condition is called an autoimmune disorder.
- Administration of glucocorticoids for a long period
- Infections in your body
- Tumours
- Secondary adrenal insufficiency
- Damaged Pituitary Gland (low ACTH level causes secondary adrenal insufficiency)
- Medications
- Genetics
- Traumatic brain injury
Both types of Addison’s disease occur due to the following reasons:
- Damaged adrenal glands: When your adrenal glands are damaged due to the action of the immune system it results in primary adrenal insufficiency. This condition is called an autoimmune disorder.
- Administration of glucocorticoids for a long period
- Infections in your body
- Tumours
- Secondary adrenal insufficiency
- Damaged Pituitary Gland (low ACTH level causes secondary adrenal insufficiency)
- Medications
- Genetics
- Traumatic brain injury
Prevention
Your chances to develop Addison’s disease are increased if you:
- Suffer from cancer
- Take blood thinners
- Have tuberculosis
- Had surgery to remove any part of your adrenal gland
- Have an autoimmune disease such as Graves’ disease
Health Complications of Addison's disease
If you have untreated Addison’s disease, you may develop ‘Addison’s crisis’ as a result of physical stress such as injury, illness or infection. Normally, the adrenal glands produce two to three times the usual amount of cortisol in response to physical stress. But with adrenal insufficiency, the ability to increase cortisol production with stress can lead to an Addison’s crisis.
People with Addison's disease commonly have associated autoimmune diseases.
Diagnosis
Addison’s disease cannot be prevented but it can be managed in order to avoid an Addisonian crisis:
- Visit your doctor and talk to him if you feel weak, tired or are losing weight. Ask about having an adrenal shortage.
- If you already have been diagnosed with Addison's disease ask your doctor about what to do when you're sick. You might need to know the dose of corticosteroids you need.
- If you are extremely sick and vomiting. And if it's difficult for you to take medication then go to the emergency room as soon as you can.
Treatment of Addison's Disease | When to Consult a Doctor
After asking about your sign and symptoms your medical personnel may recommend you following tests:
- ACTH Stimulation Test: ACTH triggers adrenal glands to release cortisol. Your doctor may recommend this test to estimate the level of cortisol in your blood. Synthetic ACTH is injected after performing the test.
- Blood Test: Blood tests such as Blood Chemistry Study are usually performed to measure the level of sodium, potassium, cortisol, and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in your blood. A blood test also estimates the level of antibodies when checking for autoimmune Addison's disease.
- Insulin-Induced Hypoglycemia Test: This test will measure the level of glucose and cortisol in your blood.
Doctors to treat Addison's Disease
Dr. Ehsan Ashraf Makki
General Physician, Diabetologist | M.D, Diplomate Diabetes
Dr Makki's Diabetes Centre, MultanRs 2000
Minimum Fee
Satisfaction Rate
Years of Experience
Highly Recommended
Dr. Ehsan Ashraf Makki
General Physician, Diabetologist | MD , Diplomate Diabetis
Dr. Makki Diabetic CenterRs 2000
Minimum Fee
Satisfaction Rate
Years of Experience
Highly Recommended
Dr. Tashbeeb Gulzar
Nephrologist | MBBS, MD
National Hospital & Medical CenterRs 4000
Hameed Latif HospitalRs 4000
Minimum Fee
Satisfaction Rate
Years of Experience
Dr. is excellent. Highly recommended.
Doctors to treat Addison's Disease in Pakistan
Speciality for Addison's Disease
Hospitals to Treat Addison's Disease in Pakistan
- Diabetologist Hospitals in Faisalabad
- Diabetologist Hospitals in Gujranwala
- Diabetologist Hospitals in Gujrat
- Diabetologist Hospitals in Hyderabad
- Diabetologist Hospitals in Islamabad
- Diabetologist Hospitals in Karachi
- Diabetologist Hospitals in Lahore
- Diabetologist Hospitals in Multan
- Diabetologist Hospitals in Peshawar
- Diabetologist Hospitals in Quetta
- Diabetologist Hospitals in Rawalpindi
- Diabetologist Hospitals in Sargodha