Addison Disease Center - Chesterfield, MO
Chesterfield Endocrinologist Doctors for Addison DiseaseType 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 Chesterfield * Edwin J Cunningham MD  The Osteoporosis Center of St Luke's Hospital  Diabetes & Endocrinology Specialists Inc  Diabetes & Endocrinology Specialists Inc  Diabetes & Endocrinology Specialists Inc  Washington University Endocrinology  Missouri Endocrine & Diabetes  Stephen R Crespin MD  Mercy Endocrinology & Diabetes Management  St Louis Medical Clinic  St John's Mercy Medical Center Endocrinology  Mercy Endocrinology & Diabetes Management  St Louis Medical Clinic  St John's Mercy Medical Center Endocrinology  St Louis Medical Clinic  James R Etzkorn MD  Nirandon Wongsurawat MD  St Charles Clinic Medical Group  Endocrine Consultants LLC  SSM Internal Medicine - Fenton  Overland Medical Center  SLU Care  Drs Genova, Ghazal-Albar & Bollis  South County Endocrinology & Diabetes Center  Endocrinology Consultants  Knight Internists  University Medical Consultants  Washington University Endocrinology  University Internal Medicine & Diabetes Associates Inc  Washington University Endocrinology  Washington University Endocrinology  Washington University Diabetes Center  Karen Chen-Chang MD  Washington University Bone & Mineral Diseases  Washington University Endocrinology  University Internal Medicine & Diabetes Associates Inc  Washington University Endocrinology  Washington University Endocrinology  Washington University Endocrinology  Washington University Endocrinology  Washington University Endocrinology  Washington University Endocrinology  Washington University Endocrinology  University Internal Medicine & Diabetes Associates Inc  Washington University Endocrinology  Washington University Bone & Mineral Diseases  Washington University Bone & Mineral Diseases  Washington University Bone & Mineral Diseases  University Washington Medical School Endocrinology  Washington University Geriatrics & Nutrition  Washington University Geriatrics & Nutrition  SLU Care  SLU Care  Stephen J Giddings MD  Anoj Goel MD  Somkietr Rojanasathit & Stuart R Adler MDs  Jefferson Multi-Specialty Group Chesterfield, MissouriUpcoming Local Events2012-06-09
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Addison's DiseaseRead the Addison's Disease article » 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:
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 DiseaseHyperkalemia (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...Other Related Addison Disease ArticlesEmergency Contact for Chesterfield
Nearby Chesterfield Hospitals *St John's Mercy Rehabilitation Hospital St Luke's Hospital Dubuis Hospital of St Louis St Luke's Urgent Care Center on Clarkson Road Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital St John's Mercy Medical Center Missouri Baptist Medical Center Center Pointe Hospital St Luke's Urgent Care Center in St Charles Des Peres Hospital Shriners Hospital for Children Ranken Jordan Pediatric Rehabilitation SSM DePaul Health Center SSM St Joseph Health Center Barnes-Jewish St Peter's Hospital St John's Urgent Care Center Saint Peters SSM St Clare Health Center St Luke's Urgent Care Center in Fenton St John's Mercy Urgent Care Center Progress West HealthCare Center St Luke's Urgent Care Center at WingHaven Hawthorn Children's Psychiatric Hospital SSM Rehab SSM St Mary's Health Center Kindred Hospital St Anthony's St Anthony's Medical Center Forest Park Community Hospital Select Specialty Hospital St Louis Northwest HealthCare Metropolitan St Louis Psychiatric Center St Louis Psychiatric Rehabilitation Center Barnes-Jewish Hospital North Campus Barnes-Jewish Hospital South Campus Kindred Hospital St Louis SSM St Joseph Hospital West St Louis Children's Hospital The Rehabilitation Institute of St Louis Saint Louis University Hospital SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center St Louis VA Medical Center Jefferson Barracks St Louis VA Medical Center John Cochran Division St Alexius Hospital Broadway Campus Christian Hospital NE SSM St Joseph Health Center Wentzville Kenneth Hall Regional Hospital Gateway Regional Medical Center Touchette Regional Hospital St John's Mercy Hospital St Clare's Hospital St Anthony's Health Center Alton Memorial Hospital Memorial Hospital Belleville Jefferson Regional Medical Center Lincoln County Medical Center St Elizabeth's Hospital Belleville Anderson Hospital Jersey Community Hospital Featured Articles*Provider Directory Terms of Use: The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval. |
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