Addison Disease (cont.)
What are the signs and symptoms of Addison's disease?
The symptoms of adrenal insufficiency usually begin gradually. Characteristics of the disease are:
About 50 percent of the time, one will notice:
Other symptoms include:
- low blood pressure that falls further when standing, causing dizziness
or fainting
- skin changes in Addison's disease, with areas of hyperpigmentation, or
dark tanning, covering exposed and nonexposed parts of the body; this
darkening of the skin is most visible on scars; skin folds; pressure points
such as the elbows, knees, knuckles, and toes; lips; and mucous membranes
Addison's disease can cause irritability and depression. Because of salt
loss, a craving for salty foods also is common. Hypoglycemia, or low blood
glucose, is more severe in children than in adults. In women, menstrual periods
may become irregular or stop.
Because the symptoms progress slowly, they are usually ignored until a
stressful event like an illness or an accident causes them to become worse. This
is called an addisonian crisis, or acute adrenal insufficiency. In most cases,
symptoms are severe enough that patients seek medical treatment before a crisis
occurs. However, in about 25 percent of patients, symptoms first appear during
an addisonian crisis.
Symptoms of an addisonian crisis include:
- sudden penetrating pain in the lower back, abdomen, or legs
- severe vomiting and diarrhea
- dehydration
- low blood pressure
- loss of consciousness
Left untreated, an addisonian crisis can be fatal.
Next: How is Addison's disease diagnosed? »
- prednisolone, Pediapred Oral Liquid, Medrol - Defines the medication prednisolone (Pediapred Oral Liquid, Medrol) a drug used used to treat inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, colitis, asthma, bronchitis, certain skin rashes, and allergic or inflammatory conditions of the nose and eyes. Article includes descriptions, uses, drug interactions, and side effects.
- Antinuclear Antibody Test - Read about antinuclear antibodies (ANAs), unusual antibodies that can bind to certain structures within the nucleus of the cells, are found in patients whose immune system may be predisposed to cause inflammation against their own body tissues. ANAs are indicative of the potential presence of an autoimmune illness.
- Low Blood Pressure - Learn about low blood pressure (hypotension). Low blood pressure is blood pressure below normal and symptoms may include: lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting upon standing (orthostatic hypotension). There are many causes of low blood pressure, and treatment is dependant upon the cause.
Latest Medical News
Interactive Slideshows