About Addison's
By Henry-001 on
Name of the medical condition and other names that it’s been known by
Addison's disease
Primary adrenal insufficiency
Hypercortisolism
What is Addison's Disease?
Addison's disease is a chronic condition in which the adrenal glands do not produce enough of the hormones cortisol and aldosterone. The most common cause of Addison's disease is an autoimmune response, where the immune system mistakenly attacks the outer portion of the adrenal glands, called the adrenal cortex. This attack leads to the destruction of the adrenal cortex, resulting in a decrease in cortisol and aldosterone production. In rare cases, the symptoms can develop rapidly, causing a condition called acute adrenal failure.
The symptoms of Addison's disease can vary but often include fatigue, weight loss, muscle weakness, low blood pressure, and darkening of the skin. These symptoms may not appear until about 90% of the adrenal cortex has been damaged, which can take several months to years.
Approximately 75% of cases of Addison's disease are caused by autoimmune responses, while the remaining cases can be attributed to other factors such as infections, cancer, or medications.
Trend
Addison's disease is considered a rare condition, affecting about 1 in 100,000 people in the United States.
The incidence of Addison's disease is 0.6 per 100,000 of the population per year.
The total number of people affected by this condition at a given time ranges from 4 to 11 per 100,000 of the population.
History of Addison's Disease
Addison's disease is named after Thomas Addison, a British physician who first described the condition in 1855. He originally referred to it as "melasma suprarenale," but later, physicians gave it the medical eponym "Addison's disease" to recognize Addison's discovery.
Addison's Disease - Source of Information
For informational purposes only. Consult a medical professional for advice.