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Adrenocortical hormone deficiency
Aldosterone
Cortisol
Endocrine system
Hypotenslon
Metabolic system
Many people know that U.S. President John F. Kennedy (1917-1963) suffered
from back pain most of his life and that he was assassinated in 1963. But
it was not until after his death that the public learned that President
Kennedy also had Addison's disease. It is a rare condition that
results when the body fails to produce enough of certain hormones
*
that help regulate important body functions.
What Is Addison's Disease?
Addison's disease develops because the adrenal glands do not
produce enough of certain important hormones. The adrenal glands are thin
triangular groups of cells about the size of an adult thumb. One adrenal
gland is located above each of the two kidneys. Among other things, the
glands release hormones known as cortisol and aldosterone. But the adrenal
glands in people with Addison's disease are not functioning
properly, which leaves the people without enough of the hormones they need
to keep the body working normally.
Cortisol and aldosterone
Cortisol is needed to help the body respond to stresses such as diseases
and infections. It also helps the body use sugars, proteins,
carbohydrates, and other substances in food for energy. Aldosterone helps
signal the kidneys to regulate the amount of salt and water retained in
the body. This is important because without the proper amount of salt and
water, blood pressure can drop.
Autoimmunity
Usually in Addison's disease, the adrenal glands do not work
properly because the body's own immune system turns against the
body and destroys part of the adrenal glands. The immune system releases
antibodies to fight foreign substances in the body, like viruses. In
Addison's disease, the antibodies and cells of the immune system
destroy the outer part of the adrenal glands and cause them to release
inadequate amounts of cortisol and aldosterone. No one is sure why this
happens.
Other causes
The disease also can result from conditions that affect the functioning of
the pituitary gland. People with tuberculosis may develop Addison's
Disease if the infection involves and destroys the adrenal glands.
*
hormones
are chemicals that are released by glands throughout the body to help
regulate the body's function.
The adrenal glands are located above each of the two kidneys. When
people have Addison's disease, the adrenal glands do not
produce enough of the hormones cortisol and aldosterone.
Thomas Addison
The nineteenth century British physician Thomas Addison (1793-1860) was
the first to relate the symptoms of Addison's
Disease to problems with the adrenal glands. At that time, it was more
common, because tuberculosis was widespread. Fortunately, Addison's
disease is rare today. It strikes only about 1 of every 100,000 persons.
What Are Those Puzzling Feelings?
The first signs of Addison's disease can be puzzling to patients
and their doctors. The lack of hormones in the body begin to leave the
person feeling tired and their muscles seem weak. Patients also can feel
dizzy, because of their low blood pressure. Appetite drops, and they start
to lose weight from not eating as much. Because salt levels are out of
balance in the body, people with Addison's might also hunger for
salty foods, like potato chips.
Sometimes, people get sick to their stomachs and vomit, and they can
develop dark areas on the skin, as if they are tanning. They also can seem
unreasonably upset at things or become depressed.
Addison's usually develops slowly over many years. The symptoms
might be noticed, but ignored as simply the result of working too hard or
not exercising enough. About 25 percent of people with Addison's
disease do not seek medical help until an accident or other illness
triggers a sudden worsening of their symptoms. Without medical help, the
sudden worsening can be fatal.
How Do Doctors Diagnose and Treat
Addison's Disease?
Doctors have various tests to check for the proper levels of the hormones
involved in Addison's disease. They also can use an x-ray or other
diagnostic tests to get an image of the adrenal glands to see if they look
damaged.
President John E Kennedy in his rocking chair in the White House Oval
Office in May 1963. The public did not learn until after his death
that President Kennedy had Addison's disease.
1998 Fred Ward/Black Star.
People with Addison's need to take prescription hormones to do the
work of the missing cortisol and aldosterone. Most of the time, this
allows people with Addison's to avoid the disease's
symptoms.
They still might experience a return of severe symptoms, if they get ill
with another condition. For this reason, doctors recommend that people
with Addison's wear a medical identification bracelet that explains
their condition. This is in case they become sick suddenly and are unable
to communicate with those trying to help them.
With treatment, however, people with Addison's disease can live as
long and typical a life as people without the disease do.
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