A story from apsense.com provides a brief overview of signs, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment approaches for Addison’s disease, a condition also known as primary adrenal insufficiency. It is characterized by dysfunctioning adrenal glands that do not produce sufficient steroid hormones.
In the world of rare disease news, not all rare diseases are created equal. There are thousands of rare diseases out there, and many of them do not make the news regularly. Some rare diseases tend to get more attention than others, and while some diseases may be making strides in either research or treatment, there are others that generally get less attention, so every now and then we like to put together a story about some diseases that haven’t been making headlines lately.
Getting to Know Addison’s Disease
So what should you know about Addison’s disease? Well it is usually the result of some sort of damage to the adrenal glands. The outer layer of the glands, called the cortex, is responsible for the production of corticosteroid hormones. These hormones play critical roles in the body, such as maintaining sodium and potassium levels as well as helping to convert food items into a form that the body can use. Adrenal gland function can be affected by infections, tuberculosis, or cancer. In many cases, the disease may be autoimmune, in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks body tissue.
Symptoms
Some characteristic symptoms of Addison’s disease may include hyperpigmentation of the skin, dropping blood pressure, fatigue, vomiting, declines in appetite, mood instability, and loss of body hair.
Diagnosis
How is Addison’s disease diagnosed?
If your doctor thinks that Addison’s disease is a possibility, a number of tests will be conducted. The first test will usually measure the activity of the thyroid gland. Many people with the illness have an underactive thyroid, so a test that detects this would be a strong indicator of Addison’s. Another blood test would measure sodium levels, potassium levels, and hormone levels following stimulation with synthetic tetracosactide. A CT or MRI of the patient’s adrenal glands may also be recommended.
With a positive diagnosis, your doctor can then begin treatment. Addison’s disease is often addressed with chronic use of steroids to replace the deficient hormone production. Some treatment options include fludrocortisone acetate and hydrocortisone/prednisone. This supplementation is required for the rest of the patient’s life.
Diet
Some dietary recommendations for Addison’s disease include moderate protein intake, consumption of very vitamin-rich foods, foods with zinc and magnesium, and increased consumption of sodium.
