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Addison Disease Center - Lafayette, LA

Lafayette 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 Lafayette *

Lafayette Arthritis & Endocrine Clinic
Todd Baquet
401 Audubon Blvd
STE 102B
Lafayette, LA 70503
(337) 237-7801

Lafayette Arthritis & Endocrine Clinic
Justin Fontenot
401 Audubon Blvd
STE 102B
Lafayette, LA 70503
(337) 237-7801

Dupon Clinic
William A Dupon
4201 N University Ave
Carencro, LA 70520
(337) 896-8888

LSU Healthcare Network
Jolene Johnson
3401 North Blvd
STE STE 400
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
(225) 381-2755

The Baton Rouge Clinic AMC Endocrinology
Gary H Field
7373 Perkins Rd
FL 4th
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
(225) 246-4044

The Baton Rouge Clinic AMC Endocrinology
John H Hilton
7373 Perkins Rd
FL 4th
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
(225) 246-4044

The Baton Rouge Clinic AMC Endocrinology
Jeannemarie D Hinkle
7373 Perkins Rd
FL 4th
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
(225) 246-4044

The Baton Rouge Clinic AMC Endocrinology
Peterman R Prosser
7373 Perkins Rd
FL 4th
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
(225) 246-4044

The Baton Rouge Clinic AMC Endocrinology
Joel D Silverberg
7373 Perkins Rd
FL 4th
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
(225) 246-4044

LSU Family Practice
Charles G Norwood
821 Elliott St
Alexandria, LA 71301
(318) 441-1030

David Sisam DO
David A Sisam
855 Belanger St
STE 206
Houma, LA 70360
(985) 876-5451

Lafayette, Louisiana

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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 Lafayette

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Lafayette Hospitals *

Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center
611 St Landry St
Lafayette, LA 70506
(337)289-2000

Park Place Surgery Hospital
901 Wilson St
Lafayette, LA 70503
(337)237-8119

Lafayette General Medical Center
1214 Coolidge Blvd
Lafayette, LA 70503
(337)289-7991

Louisiana Extended Care Hospital Lafayette
1214 Coolidge Blvd
Lafayette, LA 70503
(337)289-8180

University Medical Center Lafayette
2390 W Congress St
Lafayette, LA 70506
(337)261-6000

Community Specialty Hospital Lafayette
408 SE Evangeline Trwy
Lafayette, LA 70501
(337)234-4031

Meadowbrook Specialty Hospital
204 Energy Pkwy
Lafayette, LA 70508
(337)232-1905

Heart Hospital of Lafayette
1105 Kaliste Saloom Rd
Lafayette, LA 70508
(337)521-1000

Lafayette Surgical Specialty Hospital
1101 Kaliste Saloom Rd
Lafayette, LA 70508
(337)769-4100

Acadia Vermilion Hospital
2520 N University Ave
Lafayette, LA 70507
(337)234-5614

Southwest Medical Center
2810 Ambassador Caffery Pkwy
Lafayette, LA 70506
(337)981-2949

LTAC of Acadiana
310 Youngsville Hwy
Lafayette, LA 70508
(337)839-9880

Southpark Community Hospital
314 Youngsville Hwy
Lafayette, LA 70508
(337)769-4080

Womens & Children's Hospital
4600 Ambassador Caffery Pkwy
Lafayette, LA 70508
(337)521-9100

St Martin Hospital
210 Champagne Blvd
Breaux Bridge, LA 70517
(337)332-2178

Acadia St Landry Hospital
810 S Broadway St
Church Point, LA 70525
(337)684-5435

Doctors Hospital of Opelousas
3983 I-49 S Service Rd
Opelousas, LA 70570
(337)948-2100

American Legion Hospital
1305 Crowley Rayne Hwy
Crowley, LA 70526
(337)783-3222

Dauterive Hospital
600 N Lewis St
New Iberia, LA 70563
(337)365-7311

Crowley Rehabilitation Hospital
713 N Avenue L
Crowley, LA 70526
(337)783-2859

Iberia Medical Center
2315 E Main St
New Iberia, LA 70560
(337)364-0441

Abrom Kaplan Memorial Hospital
1310 W 7th St
Kaplan, LA 70548
(337)643-8300

Opelousas General Health System
539 E Prudhomme St
Opelousas, LA 70570
(337)948-3011

St Landry Extended Care Hospital
539 E Prudhomme Ln
Opelousas, LA 70570
(337)948-5184

Acadian Medical Center
3501 US Highway 190
Eunice, LA 70535
(337)580-7500

Abbeville General Hospital
118 N Hospital Dr
Abbeville, LA 70510
(337)893-5466

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