Addison's disease
Overview
Addison's disease (primary adrenal insufficiency) is a rare condition where small glands above your kidneys (adrenal glands) do not work properly. It can often be managed with treatment.
Symptoms
Many of the symptoms of Addison’s disease are the same as the symptoms of other conditions. Symptoms of Addison’s disease include: extreme tiredness (fatigue)areas of skin that are darker than surrounding skin – this may be harder to see on brown or black skinloss of appetite, weight loss, tummy pain, feeling or being sick and cravings for salty foodsfeeling dizzy or light-headed when standing upjoint pain, muscle weakness and muscle crampsheadachea slightly raised temperaturefeeling thirsty and needing to pee a lotdifficulty concentratinganxiety and depression Addison’s disease most commonly affects adults between the ages of 30 and 50, but it can sometimes affect children.
Causes
The most common cause of Addison’s disease is the immune system mistakenly attacking and damaging the adrenal glands. This means the adrenal glands are unable to produce hormones that your body needs. Other causes of Addison’s disease include: your adrenal glands being bigger than usual at birth (congenital adrenal hyperplasia)infections, such astuberculosis,meningitis,flu,cytomegalovirusandHIV, which can damage your adrenal glandssurgery to remove your adrenal glands
Treatment
There’s currently no cure for Addison’s disease, but there are medicines that can help manage the condition. If you have Addison’s disease, your adrenal glands are not producing enough hormones, including types of hormones called steroids. The main treatment is steroid medicine to replace the missing hormones your body needs. Medicines you may be given include: hydrocortisoneprednisolonefludrocortisone You’ll usually need to take your medicine every day for the rest of your life. It’s important you always have enough to avoid running out. At certain times you may need to take extra medicine, such as when you’re unwell, about to have surgery, or during stressful periods like when taking exams. Your specialist will be able to advise you about this. If you’re taking steroids, you should carry a steroid emergency card with you at all times. This tells healthcare professionals you have Addison’s disease and you take steroid medicine that should not be stopped suddenly. You can also get jewellery and wristbands with details of your condition and the medicine you take engraved or printed on them.