MedicineNet

Addison Disease Center - Monroe, LA

Monroe 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 Monroe *

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

Monroe, Louisiana

Upcoming Local Events

2012-06-17
The Virtual Father's Day Run - El Dorado
Throughout El Dorado, Arkansas
2012-06-17
The Virtual Father's Day Run - Monroe
Throughout Monroe, Louisiana
2012-07-28
HealthWorks Boomtown Triathlon
El Dorado, Arkansas
2012-11-11
World Run Day 2012 Registration - El Dorado
Throughout El Dorado, Arkansas
2012-11-11
World Run Day 2012 Registration - Monroe
Throughout Monroe, Louisiana

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 Monroe

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Monroe Hospitals *

P & S Surgical Hospital
312 Grammont St
Monroe, LA 71201
(318)388-4040

St Francis Medical Center
309 Jackson St
Monroe, LA 71201
(318)327-4000

St Francis Specialty Hospital
309 Jackson St
Monroe, LA 71201
(318)327-4608

Glenwood Regional Medical Center
503 McMillan Rd
West Monroe, LA 71291
(318)329-4200

Monroe Surgical Hospital
2408 Broadmoor Blvd
Monroe, LA 71201
(318)410-0002

Louisiana Extended Care Hospital West Monroe
503 McMillan Rd
West Monroe, LA 71291
(318)329-4300

Golden Age Senior Care Hospital
4310 S Grand St
Monroe, LA 71202
(318)651-0920

Premier Rehabilitation Hospital
4310 S Grand St
Monroe, LA 71202
(318)812-1000

EA Conway Medical Center
4864 Jackson St
Monroe, LA 71202
(318)330-7000

Cornerstone Hospital of West Monroe
6198 Cypress St
West Monroe, LA 71291
(318)396-5600

St Francis North Hospital
3421 Medical Park Dr
Monroe, LA 71203
(318)388-1946

St Patrick's Psychiatric Hospital
3421 Medical Park Dr
Monroe, LA 71203
(318)327-4686

Sterlington Rehabilitation Hospital
111 Highway 2
Sterlington, LA 71280
(318)665-9950

Bastrop Rehabilitation Hospital
323 W Walnut St
Bastrop, LA 71220
(318)556-1191

Morehouse General Hospital
323 W Walnut St
Bastrop, LA 71220
(318)283-3600

Richardson Medical Center
254 Highway 3048
Rayville, LA 71269
(318)728-4181

Union General Hospital
901 James Ave
Farmerville, LA 71241
(318)368-9751

Citizens Medical Center
7939 US Highway 165 S
Columbia, LA 71418
(318)649-6106

Caldwell Memorial Hospital
411 Main St
Columbia, LA 71418
(318)649-6111

Northern Louisiana Medical Center
401 E Vaughn Ave
Ruston, LA 71270
(318)254-2100

HEALTHSOUTH Specialty Hospital North Louisiana
1401 Ezell St
Ruston, LA 71270
(318)251-3126

Franklin Medical Center
2106 Loop Rd
Winnsboro, LA 71295
(318)435-9411

*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.

You are prohibited from using, downloading, republishing, selling, duplicating, or "scraping" for commercial or any other purpose whatsoever, the Provider Directory or any of the data listings or other information contained therein, in whole or in part, in any medium whatsoever.

The Provider Directory is provided on an "AS-IS" basis. WebMD disclaims all warranties, either express or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for particular purpose. Without limiting the foregoing, WebMD does not warrant or represent that the Provider Directory or any part thereof is accurate or complete. You assume full responsibility for the communications with any Provider you contact through the Provider Directory. WebMD shall in no event be liable to you or to anyone for any decision made or action taken by you in the reliance on information provided in the Provider Directory.

The use of WebMD Provider Directory by any entity or individual to verify the credentials of Providers is prohibited. The database of Provider information which drives WebMD Provider Directory does not contain sufficient information with which to verify Provider credentials under the standards of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) of the Utilization Review Accreditation Committee (URAC).

By using the WebMD Provider Directory, you agree to these Terms and Conditions.