Medical Questions » Hormones Questions » Question No. 522
| Question: | My father' s weakness and genera! deterioration has been diagnosed as Addison' s disease, but I can' t understand what it is all about. Your help would be appreciated. |
| Answer: | Addison' s disease is a rare condition due to underactivity of the outer layer (cortex) of the adrenal glands, which sit on top of each kidney and produce hormones (chemical messengers) such as cortisone that control the levels of vital elements in the body and regulate the breakdown of food. In most cases, the reason for adrenal gland failure is unknown, but tuberculosis is a possible cause.
The symptoms include weakness, lack of appetite, diarrhoea and vomiting, skin pigmentation, mental instability, low blood pressure, loss of body hair and absence of sweating.
It is diagnosed by special blood tests that measure the body' s response to stimulation of the adrenal gland.
Treatment involves a combination of medications (eg. steroids such as cortisone) to replace the missing hormones. Dosages vary greatly from one patient to another. Frequent small meals high in carbohydrate and protein arc-eaten, and infections must be treated rapidly. Patients must carry an emergency supply of injectable cortisone with them at all times.
The main complications are diabetes, thyroid disease and anaemia.
Treatment can give most patients a long and useful life, but they cannot react to stress (both physical and mental) adequately, and additional treatment must be given in these situations. The ultimate outcome depends greatly on the patient' s ability to strictly follow all treatment regimes.
|
|
|
