Addison’s disease
Addison’s disease is due to Adrenal Hypofunction.
Adrenal Hypofunction
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The most common cause of adrenal hypofunction is Primary Adrenal Insufficiency or Addison’s disease.
Addison’s Disease is characterized by:
- Tiredness,
- Dehydration,
- Hyponatremia, and
- Hyperpigmentation (due to high ACTH levels and its MSH activity).
Symptoms of Addison’s Disease
All of the the Symptoms of the Disease may not be present in a single patient. These vary from patient to patient. These include:
- Weight gain,
- Anorexia,
- Malaise,
- Weakness,
- Feve,r
- Depression,
- Impotence in males,
- Amenorrhea in females,
- Nausea / vomiting,
- Diarrhea,
- Confusion,
- Syncope from postural hypotension,
- Abdominal pain,
- Constipation,
- Myalgia,
- Joint or back pain.
Signs of Addison’s Disease
- Pigmentation, especially of new scars and palmer creases,
- Buccal pigmentation,
- Postural hypotension,
- Loss of weight,
- General wasting,
- Dehydration,
- Loss of body hair,
- Vitiligo.
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