Addisons Disease

Addison's disease (also known as chronic adrenal insufficiency, hypocortisolism or hypocorticism) is a rare endocrine disorder in which the adrenal gland does not produce enough steroid hormones (glucocorticoids and often mineralocorticoids).[1] It may develop in children and adults, and may occur as the result of many underlying causes.

The condition is named after Dr Thomas Addison, the British physician who first described the condition in his 1855 publication On the Constitutional and Local Effects of Disease of the Suprarenal Capsules.[2] The adjective "Addisonian" is used for features of the condition, as well as patients with Addison's disease.[3]

The condition is generally diagnosed with blood tests, medical imaging and additional investigations.[3] Treatment involves replacement of the hormones (oral hydrocortisone and fludrocortisone). If the disease is caused by an underlying problem, it may be possible to address that. Regular follow-up and monitoring for other health problems is necessary.[3]

Story from an Addisons husband

Hi,

I thought people might be interested in hearing my story as a husband of someone who has Addisons Disease.

If you dont know, then addisons disease is where the sufferer can no longer create their own cortisone steroid and their body cannot control the amount of sodium or potassium salt in their blood stream.

We discovered all this when my wife began to feel very weak (actually sitting on the floor in a department store while queueing to pay - very embarrassing for our children!).

That evening we called the doctor and she was rushed into hospital with ultra-low blood pressure. A quick shot of steroid and she began to recover very quickly.

Now she is on pills for life but lives a pretty well normal life.