An adrenal crisis is a medical emergency. If left untreated, it can be fatal. If you or someone you know has Addison's disease and is experiencing severe symptoms, dial for an ambulance. This helps scientists look for better ways to prevent and treat this condition. You can opt out of the register at any time. Find out more about the register. Page last reviewed: 14 June Next review due: 14 June Symptoms of Addison's disease Early-stage symptoms of Addison's disease are similar to other more common health conditions, such as depression or flu.
You may experience: lack of energy or motivation fatigue muscle weakness low mood loss of appetite and unintentional weight loss increased thirst Over time, these problems may become more severe and you may experience further symptoms, such as dizziness, fainting , cramps and exhaustion.
Why it happens The condition is usually the result of a problem with the immune system, which causes it to attack the outer layer of the adrenal gland the adrenal cortex , disrupting the production of the steroid hormones aldosterone and cortisol. Treating Addison's disease Addison's disease is treated with medication to replace the missing hormones. If you experience symptoms of Addisonian crisis, call for an ambulance or go immediately to the emergency department of your nearest hospital.
You will need emergency treatment, including intravenous fluids, increased steroid medication and saline. Blood tests may show low sodium, high potassium or low glucose. Note: even if you use a hydrocortisone injection for Addisonian crisis, you will still need hospitalisation and ongoing monitoring. Treatment aims to correct the levels of hormones that your body is not producing.
Whether you have primary or secondary adrenal insufficiency, you will need hormone replacement for life. Cortisol is replaced orally with hydrocortisone tablets, taken once or twice a day. If you are also deficient in aldosterone, it is replaced with oral doses of a mineralocorticoid called fludrocortisone acetate, taken once a day. Treatment needs to be tailored to each person as adrenal hormone replacement requirements vary between individuals.
Your doctor will advise you on how to reduce the risk of Addisonian crisis, including how to adjust your medication if your body is stressed for example due to an operation or illness and how to use injectable hydrocortisone if you are vomiting and unable to keep down oral medications.
They will also advise you on how to let emergency medical personnel know what kind of care you need. This may include:. This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:. There is generally no cure for an autoimmune disorder, but the symptoms can be managed.
Myalgic encephalomyelitis, commonly known as chronic fatigue syndrome, can affect people of any age, including children. Some people have Cushing's syndrome symptoms when they take glucocorticoid hormones to treat inflammatory conditions such as asthma, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. Type 1 diabetes can affect anyone of any age, but is more common in people under 30 years. Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional.
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Addison's disease. Actions for this page Listen Print. Summary Read the full fact sheet. On this page. Symptoms of Addison's disease The hormone cortisol The hormone aldosterone Causes of Addison's disease Secondary adrenal insufficiency Addisonian crisis Diagnosis of Addison's disease Treatment of Addison's disease Where to get help.
Symptoms of Addison's disease The symptoms of Addison's disease can include any or all of the following: loss of appetite and weight nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea muscle weakness chronic, worsening fatigue low blood pressure salt cravings dehydration hypoglycaemia — low blood sugar levels especially in children increased pigmentation of the skin, particularly around scars and bony areas irregular or no menstrual periods in women mood swings, mental confusion or loss of consciousness.
The hormone cortisol Cortisol is produced by the outer layer of your adrenal gland, called the adrenal cortex. Adrenal insufficiency can be primary, secondary, or tertiary. With treatment, most people with adrenal insufficiency can have a normal, active life. Secondary adrenal insufficiency starts in the pituitary—a pea-sized gland at the base of the brain. The pituitary makes adrenocorticotropin ACTH , a hormone that tells the adrenal glands to make cortisol. Over time, the adrenal glands can shrink and stop working.
Tertiary adrenal insufficiency starts in the hypothalamus, a small area of the brain near the pituitary. Cortisol also helps. Aldosterone helps maintain the balance of the minerals sodium and potassium in your blood. Sodium and potassium work together to control the salt and water balance in your body and help keep blood pressure stable. Both help maintain normal nerve and muscle function. Potassium also helps your heartbeat stay regular.
In developed countries, it affects about to of every million people.
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