(Endocrine / Physical Health Condition)
🧠 What is Addison’s Disease?
Addison’s Disease is a rare, long-term condition where the adrenal glands do not make enough important hormones:
- Cortisol (stress hormone)
- Aldosterone (salt and fluid balance hormone)
👉 This usually happens when the immune system mistakenly attacks the adrenal glands (autoimmune disease).
⚙️ What Do the Adrenal Glands Do?
The adrenal glands help the body:
- Respond to stress
- Control blood pressure
- Balance salt and water
- Maintain energy levels
⚠️ Symptoms of Addison’s Disease
🟡 Long-term (Chronic) Symptoms
- Severe tiredness (fatigue)
- Muscle weakness
- Weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Low blood pressure
- Darkening of skin (hyperpigmentation)
🔴 Addisonian Crisis (Medical Emergency)
This is a life-threatening sudden episode:
- Severe stomach, back, or leg pain
- Vomiting or diarrhoea
- Severe dehydration
- Very low blood pressure
- Confusion or collapse
- Loss of consciousness
👉 This needs urgent emergency treatment
🧬 Causes of Addison’s Disease
🔹 Most common cause:
- Autoimmune disease (body attacks adrenal glands)
🔹 Other causes:
- Tuberculosis (TB)
- HIV or fungal infections
- Cancer affecting adrenal glands
- Bleeding into adrenal glands
- Surgery removing adrenal glands
🧪 Diagnosis
Doctors may use:
- Blood tests (cortisol and ACTH levels)
- Antibody tests (autoimmune markers)
- CT or MRI scans (to check adrenal glands)
💊 Treatment and Management
✔️ Lifelong treatment is needed:
- Hydrocortisone (replaces cortisol)
- Fludrocortisone (replaces aldosterone)
🧠 Key Management Points
- Medication must be taken every day
- Doses may increase during illness or stress
- Never stop medication suddenly
🚨 Stress Dose Rule
During:
- Illness
- Surgery
- Infection
- Severe stress
👉 Extra medication is needed to prevent crisis
🏥 Medical Safety
People with Addison’s should:
- Wear a medical alert bracelet or necklace
- Carry emergency steroid information
- Inform doctors and schools/workplaces
📊 Prognosis (Outlook)
✔ With treatment:
- Normal life expectancy
- Active daily life possible
- Symptoms controlled
❗ Without treatment:
- Addisonian crisis can be fatal
🧠 Simple Explanation (Easy Read)
👉 Addison’s disease means:
- The body does not make enough hormones
- This makes people feel very tired and weak
- It can be serious but is treatable
📌 Easy Read Key Points
✔ Rare long-term condition
✔ Affects adrenal glands
✔ Causes tiredness and weight loss
✔ Needs lifelong medication
✔ Can become an emergency if untreated
✔ Most people live normal lives with treatment
🧩 EASY READ SUMMARY BOX
🟦 Addison’s disease is a hormone condition
🟦 It affects energy and blood pressure
🟦 It needs daily medicine
🟦 Emergency treatment may be needed sometimes
🟦 People can live well with support
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