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Addison Disease Center - Biloxi, MS

Biloxi Endocrinologist Doctors for Addison Disease

Type of Physician: Endocrinologist

What is a Endocrinologist?

A subspecialty certification by the Board of Internal Medicine; practitioners treat disorders of the internal (endocrine) glands such as the thyroid and adrenal glands. Endocrinology also deals with disorders such as diabetes, metabolic and nutritional disorders, pituitary diseases, and menstrual and sexual problems.

Specialty: Endocrinology

Common Name:

Endocrinologist Doctors in Biloxi *

Gulf Coast Endocrinology
Beverly G Lansden
4540 W Railroad St
Gulfport, MS 39501
(228) 867-6062

Gulf Coast Endocrinology
Muzaffar B Piracha
4540 W Railroad St
Gulfport, MS 39501
(228) 867-6062

John W Degroote MD
John W Degroote
4211 Hospital St
STE 208
Pascagoula, MS 39581
(228) 762-5982

Hattiesburg Clinic Endocrinology
J Gregory Powell
5909 US Hwy 49
STE 30
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
(601) 296-2780

Biloxi, Mississippi

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Addison's Disease

What is Addison's disease?

Addison's disease is an endocrine or hormonal disorder that occurs in all age groups and afflicts men and women equally. The disease is characterized by weight loss, muscle weakness, fatigue, low blood pressure, and sometimes darkening of the skin in both exposed and nonexposed parts of the body.

How does Addison's disease occur?

Addison's disease occurs when the adrenal glands do not produce enough of the hormone cortisol and, in some cases, the hormone aldosterone. The disease is also called adrenal insufficiency, or hypocortisolism.

What is cortisol?

Cortisol is normally produced by the adrenal glands, located just above the kidneys. It belongs to a class of hormones called glucocorticoids, which affect almost every organ and tissue in the body. Scientists think that cortisol has possibly hundreds of effects in the body. Cortisol's most important job is to help the body respond to stress. Among its other vital tasks, cortisol:

  • helps maintain blood pressure and heart function
  • helps slow the immune system's inflammation response
  • helps balance the effects of insulin in breaking down sugar for energy
  • helps regulate the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats
  • helps maintain proper arousal and sense of well-being

How is cortisol regulated?

Because cortisol is so vital to health, the amount of cortisol produced by the adrenals is precisely balanced. Like many other hormones, cortisol is regulated by the brain's hypothalamus and the pituitary gland, a bean-sized organ at the base of the brain. First, the hypothalamus sends "releasing hormones" to the pituitary gland. The pituitary responds by secreting hormones that regulate growth and thyroid and adrenal function, and sex hormones such as estrogen and testosterone. One of the...

Recommended Reading Related to Addison's Disease

Hyperkalemia (High Blood Potassium) »

What is hyperkalemia?

Hyperkalemia is common; it is diagnosed in up to 8% of hospitalized patients in the U.S. Fortunately, most patients have mild hyperkalemia (which is usually well tolerated). However, any condition causing even mild hyperkalemia should be treated to prevent progression into more severe hyperkalemia. Extremely high levels of potassium in the blood (severe hyperkalemia) can lead to cardiac arrest and death. When not recognized and treated properly, severe hyperkalemia results in a mortality rate of about 67%.

Technically, hyperkalemia means an abnormally elevated level of potassium in the blood. The normal potassium level in the blood is 3.5-5.0 milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L). Potassium levels between 5.1 mEq/L to 6.0 mEq/L reflect mild hyperkalemia. Potassium levels of 6.1 mEq/L to 7.0 mEq/L are moderate hyperkalemia, and levels above 7 mEq/L are severe hyperkalemia.

How does hyperkalemia affect t...

Emergency Contact for Biloxi

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Biloxi Hospitals *

Gulf Coast Medical Center
180-A Debuys Rd
Biloxi, MS 39531
(228)388-6711

Gulf Oaks Hospital
180-C DeBuys Rd
Biloxi, MS 39531
(228)388-0600

VA Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System
400 Veterans Ave
Biloxi, MS 39531
(228)523-5000

Biloxi Regional Medical Center
150 Reynoir St
Biloxi, MS 39530
(228)432-1571

Select Specialty Hospital Biloxi
648 Beach Blvd
Biloxi, MS 39530
(228)374-7474

Garden Park Community Hospital
15200 Community Rd
Gulfport, MS 39501
(228)575-7000

Memorial Behavioral Health Gulfport
1150 Hwy 49 N
Gulfport, MS 39501
(228)831-1700

Memorial Hospital at Gulfport
4500 13th St
Gulfport, MS 39502
(228)867-4000

Ocean Springs Hospital
3109 Bienville Blvd
Ocean Springs, MS 39564
(228)818-1111

Hancock Medical Center
149 Drinkwater Blvd
Bay Saint Louis, MS 39521
(228)467-8600

Singing River Hospital
2809 Denny Ave
Pascagoula, MS 39581
(228)809-5000

Stone County Hospital
1434 E Central Ave
Wiggins, MS 39577
(601)928-6600

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