What is addison's disease?

Addison's disease is a hormonal problem. It develops when the adrenal glands, which are above the kidneys, can't make enough of the hormones cortisol and, sometimes, aldosterone.

Your body needs these hormones to function properly. Cortisol helps your body handle big stresses like sickness, injury, surgery, and childbirth. Aldosterone helps your body keep the right amount of salt and keeps your blood pressure stable.

Normally, these hormones increase through a process that involves the brain and the adrenal glands. But in Addison's disease, this process doesn't work right because the adrenal glands can't make enough of the hormones.

If you have Addison's disease, you need to take medicine to replace the hormones that your body can't make. If you don't treat the disease, an adrenal crisis may occur. It can lead to death because of a steep drop in blood pressure.

The most common symptoms of Addison's disease are:

• Extreme tiredness.
• Weakness.
• Losing weight without trying.

You may also have other symptoms, such as:

• Skin that looks darker than normal.
• Loss of appetite.
• Diarrhea.
• Feeling lightheaded.
• Feeling sick to your stomach or vomiting.
• Salt cravings.

If you have diabetes, you might have low blood sugar more often.

In some cases, the symptoms can get worse quickly and cause an adrenal crisis. Symptoms of an adrenal crisis include:

• Severe vomiting and diarrhea.
• Sudden pain in the belly, low back, or legs.
• A high fever.
• Trouble staying awake.
• Feeling very weak or lightheaded.
• Feeling restless, confused, or fearful.

If you have these symptoms, seek emergency treatment right away. An adrenal crisis can be life-threatening.

To diagnose Addison's disease, the doctor will ask about your health, such as if you have had cancer or have HIV or if you have a family history of Addison's disease. You'll also have a physical exam so the doctor can look for changes in your skin color, check your blood pressure, and look for signs of dehydration.

Your doctor may also order tests, such as:

• Blood tests to check for high potassium or low sodium levels. Your cortisol and ACTH levels may be checked too.
• ACTH stimulation test to see how your hormone levels react to stress.
• Imaging tests, such as a CT scan or an MRI, to look for damage to the adrenal glands.

Treatment includes medicine, self-care, and being prepared for when your body is under stress. If your doctor thinks that you have Addison's disease, the doctor may start treatment right away, even before you get your test results.

You will need to take medicine for the rest of your life to replace the cortisol and aldosterone your body can't make on its own. You may take just one medicine, or you may need more than one.

To take care of yourself at home, you may need to:

• Get enough salt in your diet, because your body may lose too much. You may need to add extra salt to your food during hot and humid weather or when you are exercising and sweating.
• Weigh yourself regularly, especially if you haven't felt like eating or you have been vomiting.
• Monitor your blood pressure. Let your doctor know if it's high or too low and causing you to feel lightheaded.
• Get regular checkups. Your doctor needs to check on your symptoms, blood pressure, and hormone levels.

It's a good idea to be prepared for times when your body is under stress. Here are a few ways you can prepare:

• Have a shot of emergency medicine with you at all times. Know when and how to give the medicine. Have instructions written out, and teach someone else how to give you the medicine in case you can't give it to yourself.
• Wear a medical ID tag (such as a medical alert bracelet). That way, health professionals know to give you a shot of cortisol if you are injured or ill and cannot speak for yourself.
• Work with your doctor to create a plan for what to do when you're sick or when your body is under stress.

Finding out that you have Addison's disease can be scary. But if you get treatment and follow your doctor's advice, you can lead a long and healthy life.