When it comes to glands, there are two main ways they can go wrong. They can work too hard and produce too much of a certain hormone, or they can produce too little and create a hormone deficiency. Addison’s disease is the second.
You might hear Addison’s disease called primary adrenal insufficiency. It’s caused when one or both of the adrenal glands aren’t working properly, leading to issues with production of cortisol and sometimes aldosterone. It’s a rare condition but a serious one. If not treated properly, it may be fatal. Luckily, treatment is highly effective. You just need tablets or injections to top up your missing hormones. You may have to take them for the rest of your life.
As for what causes the problems with the adrenal glands, that can vary. In the West, Addison’s disease is most often an autoimmune condition, where the body attacks its own cells thinking they’re the enemy. In other parts of the world, infections such as tuberculosis are a leading cause. Genetic origins are rare but possible.
Symptoms of Addison’s disease often develop slowly, so you might not realize what’s happening. You may experience stomach pain, nausea and weight loss. Your skin may become darker in tone. Tiredness, irritability and depression are common. It can affect the menstrual cycle and sex drive. It can also cause low blood pressure.
When symptoms of Addison’s disease have a rapid onset, it can lead to what’s known as an adrenal crisis. This is potentially life-threatening and needs immediate treatment with corticosteroids. In the long term, things like a high-sodium diet can also help manage Addison’s disease.
Diagnosis of Addison’s disease is generally based on blood or urine tests. Most people who identify it early will be able to manage symptoms with medication and live most ordinary lives, though they may have to be particularly alert when their body is under strain in case it aggravates symptoms into a crisis.
If the cause of your Addison’s disease is autoimmune, you may also be at risk of other autoimmune disorders such as type 1 diabetes, thyroid disease or Celiac disease. These can all be linked to the same genes and can combine to cause something called autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 2.
As with many things, awareness, early diagnosis and a generally healthy lifestyle are the best ways to manage Addison’s disease.
