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Addison Disease Center - Pensacola, FL

Pensacola 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 Pensacola *

Randall P Riche MD
Randall P Riche
1717 North E St
STE 438
Pensacola, FL 32501
(850) 432-9698

Ghosn Issa MD
Ghosn A Issa
1549 Airport Blvd
STE 340
Pensacola, FL 32504
(850) 416-2340

Ziad M Mamish MD
Ziad Mamish
1549 Airport Blvd
STE STE 330
Pensacola, FL 32504
(850) 416-6450

West Florida Hospital Senior Health Services
Vishnu N Behari
8383 N Davis Hwy
FL 10
Pensacola, FL 32514
(850) 494-4885

James P Wilson MD
James P Wilson
355 N Beal Pkwy
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548
(850) 862-7604

Pensacola, Florida

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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 Pensacola

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Pensacola Hospitals *

Baptist Hospital
1000 W Moreno St
Pensacola, FL 32501
(850)434-4011

Lakeview Center
1221 W Lakeview Ave
Pensacola, FL 32501
(850)432-1222

Sacred Heart Health System
5151 N 9th Ave
Pensacola, FL 32504
(850)416-7000

Gulf Breeze Hospital
1110 Gulf Breeze Pkwy
Gulf Breeze, FL 32561
(850)934-2000

West Florida Hospital
8383 N Davis Hwy
Pensacola, FL 32514
(850)494-4000

West Florida Rehabilitation Institute
8391 N Davis Hwy
Pensacola, FL 32514
(850)494-6000

Santa Rosa Medical Center
6002 Berryhill Rd
Milton, FL 32570
(850)626-7762

West Florida Community Care Center
5500 Stewart St
Milton, FL 32570
(850)983-5500

South Baldwin Regional Medical Center
1613 North McKenzie St
Foley, AL 36535
(251)949-3400

Fort Walton Beach Medical Center
1000 Mar Walt Dr
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
(850)862-1111

Gulf Coast Treatment Center
1015 Mar Walt Dr
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
(850)863-4160

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