Addison’s disease is a hormonal problem related to adrenal gland and can occur in all ages and is found in both men and women in equal measure. The indications of this disease include weakness in muscles, low blood pressure, weight loss, fatigue and many times skin darkening all over the body.  The main reason for its occurrence is inability of adrenal gland to produce adequate amount of cortisol hormone and at times also aldosterone hormone. This condition is termed as adrenal insufficiency or hypocortisolism.

Causes of Addison’s disease

Inability to produce cortisol in ample amount can be due to various reasons. It can be owing to abnormality in the functioning of adrenal gland which is also termed as primary adrenal insufficiency or decrease in the secretion of ACTH in the pituitary gland termed as secondary adrenal insufficiency. There are some other causes of Addison’s disease which are very rare like chronic infections which are mostly fungal infections, amyloidosis, cancerous cells that spread to adrenal glands or removal of adrenal glands surgically due to some disorder or tumor.

Signs and Symptoms

There are various indications which can help you in identifying Addison’s disease. Some of the most common symptoms include appetite loss, loss of weight, weakness in muscles, chronic and declining fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and even diarrhea. These are the regular signs of adrenal insufficiency. Some other symptoms though not very common can be identified in relation to the above ones are low blood pressure that can lead to fainting or dizziness, tanning of skin to dark tone or hyperpigmentation, especially more visible on folds of the skin and scars, knees, knuckles, lips, toes, elbows and mucous membrane. A person suffering from Addison’s disease tends to be depressed and is more often than not irritated. Another very peculiar symptom is craving for salty food. This is because during Addison’s disease you tend to loose lot of salt and your body is in need of it constantly.     

Children suffering from this disease are afflicted with hypoglycemia which is a type of low blood pressure. The menstrual period are majorly affected due to this disease in women and can even stop completely at times. The symptoms are very rarely noticed at first as their onset is very slow and only come to the fore when due to some trauma or illness, they enhance further. Such a situation is termed as addisonian crisis or acute adrenal insufficiency. When the symptoms appear severely the patient has to go to the doctor and get treated.  Around 25 % symptoms are revealed during addisonian crisis and such symptoms are frequent vomiting and diarrhea, low blood pressure, severe and sudden piercing pain from abdomen, legs or lower back, dehydration, or even unconsciousness.  It is very important to treat the Addisonian crisis very fast because if it is left untreated it can take life.  So, if you are suffering from any of the above conditions or symptoms its time to get the check up done because some steps are better taken in advance than not taken at all.