Understanding Addison Disease: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Addison Disease is the lack of hormones produced by the adrenal glands, which are located on top of the kidneys. There are two parts to the glands, the medulla and the cortex. The adrenal medulla produces epinephrine and norepinephrine which are the “fight or flight” response hormones. The adrenal cortex produces steroids such as cortisone, hydrocortisone,

DHEA, aldosterone, progesterone, and others. “Aldosterone controls the balance of sodium and potassium. With an unequal balance, maintenance of fluid balance, regulation of blood pressure, and reaction of stress can be altered (nutrition411.com, 2011).” The information of signs and symptoms, statistics, diagnosis, treatment, and nutritional information help us to understand the concerns of

Noticeable symptoms that can differ from other medical diagnosis could be extreme weakness, fatigue, darkening of the skin, weight loss with decreased appetite, or salt cravings. Dehydration, dizziness, or paleness are also symptoms but are tough to show direct signs to Addison’s disease.

There is only one symptom relating to the mouth. As a dental professional, mouth lesions on the inside of the cheek, buccal mucosa, can show a medical alert to this disease.

It is said that Addison’s disease is caused by the adrenal glands being attacked and damaged by an autoimmune response over a length of time. “This disease is a rare and progressive disorder that affects one and six in every 100,000 people. It affects people of both sexes and all ages (betterhealth.vic.gov, 2012).” The people diagnosed are projected to live a nearly normal life with hormone therapy.

2Campuzano

In order to find the bare minimum of people that have this disease, a series of steps need to be taken to diagnose them. One of the first signs of Addison’s disease is a family history of any endocrine disorders. This will enables doctors to keep a close eye on their patient for

An Addisonian crisis is a sudden, acute worsening of symptoms. If left alone, ignored, and untreated, it can lead to severe consequences and even be fatal. Extreme stress, severe illness, and sudden shock can all cause an Addisonian crisis. When a person is experiencing an

Addisonian crisis, they have severe pain in the abdomen, back, and legs. Vomiting, diarrhea, or nausea, along with mental confusion or loss of consciousness may be experienced. “Within the body a person has low blood pressure, low blood sugar, high potassium, low sodium, and a rapid heart rate (betterhealth.vic.gov,2012).” A person in the event of an Addisonian crisis should be taken to the hospital and put on intravenous fluids with steroids and saline. Until the symptoms recede, the patient should remain in the hospital and be monitored.

The treatment for Addison’s disease is very simple but can be life threatening if not administered when necessary. The treatment consists of replacement corticosteroids. Because the

3Campuzano

adrenal glands lack the production hormones, the corticosteroids will need to be taken for life.

The doctor may increase the dosage during life instances of an injury, infection, surgery,