Addison Disease Center - Shawnee, KS
Shawnee 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 Shawnee * Diabetes & Endocrinology Associates  Bernard F Rice MD FACP  Diabetes & Endocrinology Associates  Overland Park Medical Specialists  University of Kansas Medical Center Endocrinology  University of Kansas Medical Center Endocrinology  University of Kansas Medical Center Endocrinology  University of Kansas Medical Center Endocrinology  Kansas University Physicians  Midwestern Endocrinology PA  St. Lukes Medical Group Southridge  St. Lukes Medical Group Southridge  Kansas City Internal Medicine  St. Lukes Medical Group Southridge  Statland Clinic Ltd  KU Women's Health Specialty Center  Stormont-Vail Healthcare  Stormont-Vail Healthcare Shawnee, KansasUpcoming Local Events2012-05-20
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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 Shawnee
Nearby Shawnee Hospitals *Shawnee Mission Medical Center Overland Park Regional Medical Center Select Specialty Hospital Kansas City University of Kansas Hospital & Medical Center Rainbow Mental Health Facility Specialty Hospital of Mid America Saint Luke's Hospital Heartland Spine & Specialty Hospital Children's Mercy South Mid-America Rehabilitation Hospital Doctor's Hospital Kansas City Orthopaedic Institute Providence Medical Center Kindred Hospital Kansas City Menorah Medical Center Children's Mercy Hospital & Clinics Research Medical Center Research Psychiatric Center  Select Specialty Hospital Western Missouri  Saint Luke's South Hospital  St Joseph Medical Center  Truman Medical Center Hospital Hill  Western Missouri Mental Health Center  Kansas City VA Medical Center  North Kansas City Hospital  Olathe Medical Center  Two Rivers Psychiatric Hospital  Crittenton Children's Center  Saint Luke's Northland Hospital Barry Road Campus  Children's Mercy Northland  Truman Medical Center Lakewood  Research Belton Hospital  Saint Luke's East  Meadowbrook Rehabilitation Hospital  Centerpoint Medical Center  Lee's Summit Medical Center  Cushing Memorial Hospital  Saint John Hospital  VA Eastern Kansas Healthcare System Leavenworth  Liberty Hospital  St Mary's Medical Center  Lawrence Memorial Hospital  Saint Luke's Northland Hospital Smithville Campus  Miami County Medical Center  Cass Regional Medical Center  Excelsior Springs Medical Center 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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