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Ency. home > Disease > A > Addison's disease

Addison's disease   

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment

Alternative names:

Adrenocortical hypofunction; Chronic adrenocortical insufficiency; Adrenal insufficiency

Definition:

Addison's disease is an adrenocortical hormone deficiency due to damage to the outer layer of the adrenal gland (adrenal cortex). The damage may be caused by the immune system attacking the gland (an autoimmune process), tuberculosis, hemorrhage and other factors.

Causes and Risks

The adrenal glands are located on top of each kidney. They consist of the outer portion (called the cortex), and the inner portion (called the medulla). The cortex produces three types of hormones: androgens and estrogens, glucocorticoid hormones, and mineralocorticoid hormones.

The androgens and estrogens affect sexual development and reproduction. The glucocorticoid hormones (such as cortisol) maintain glucose regulation, suppress the immune response, and provide for the response to stress. The mineralocorticoid hormones (such as aldosterone) regulate sodium and potassium balance.

Risk factors include rare familial autoimmune diseases and other diseases. These include: premature cessation of menstruation, type I diabetes, hypoparathyroidism, hypopituitarism, pernicious anemia, testicular dysfunction, Graves' disease, chronic thyroiditis, candidiasis, dermatis herpetiformis, vitiligo and myasthenia gravis.

Other risk factors are anticoagulant use and AIDS.

Ency. home > Disease > A > Addison's disease

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