Addison’s disease is a rare and chronic endocrine disorder that occurs when the adrenal glands are damaged, disrupting the production of cortisol and aldosterone hormones. Cortisol regulates stress in the body, while aldosterone helps balance sodium and potassium in the blood. Addison’s disease is also called adrenal insufficiency; it can be life-threatening when left untreated. An autoimmune attack is mostly the reason for this condition.

Symptoms
The symptoms of Addison’s disease usually occur over time as the damage to the adrenal glands happens slowly and includes:

• Extreme fatigue
  The lack of the hormone aldosterone can cause fatigue or tiredness.
• Hyperpigmentation
  Dark patches of skin can form around scars, skin creases, and on the gums.
• Low blood pressure
  Low blood pressure can lead to light-headedness or dizziness when standing.
• Low blood sugar
  Those with Addison’s disease may also have low blood sugar levels.
• Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea
  Gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may occur.
• Muscle or joint pain
  People with Addison’s disease may also have muscle or joint pain.
• Dehydration
  Dehydration is also an additional symptom.
• Changes in mood or behavior
  Addison’s disease may cause irritability and depression.

In rare cases, Addison’s disease can cause acute adrenal failure.

Causes
Primary adrenal insufficiency is caused when the outer layer of the adrenal glands is destructed, resulting in the production of too little of the hormone cortisol and aldosterone. The damage occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues.

• Tuberculosis
  This disease is a prominent cause of the development of Addison’s disease.
• Repeated infections
  A less common cause of the disease is repeated infections such as fungal infection and HIV/AIDS.
• Cancer
  Addison’s disease can also be caused due to the spread of cancer from one area to the adrenal glands.
• Hemorrhaging
  Addison’s disease can also be caused due to bleeding into the adrenal glands.

Secondary adrenal insufficiency refers to the condition when the pituitary glands cannot produce adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). Some of the causes of this include:

• Corticosteroids
  When people who take corticosteroids to treat asthma or arthritis discontinue the treatment option, it leads to the development of adrenal insufficiency.
• Tumors
  Pituitary gland tumors can also cause adrenal insufficiency.
• Genetic diseases
  Certain genetic diseases can affect the development or functioning of the pituitary glands.
• Surgical removal of the pituitary gland
  When the pituitary gland is removed to treat other conditions, it can cause adrenal insufficiency.
• Traumatic brain injury
  A traumatic brain injury can also cause adrenal insufficiency.

Treatment options
The treatment options for adrenal insufficiency is hormone replacement therapy which involves replacing the absent hormones. This chronic condition may require lifelong healthcare with regular follow-ups.

People with Addison’s disease are also at a risk of acute adrenal crisis that results in low blood pressure, low blood glucose levels, and high potassium levels. Immediate intravenous saline solution is the standard treatment for adrenal crisis.

Addison’s disease cannot be prevented, but with treatment, affected people can live normal healthy lives. Also, those with the condition need to keep stress levels down to prevent an episode of acute adrenal crisis.