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Addison Disease Center - Victoria, TX

Victoria 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 Victoria *

Osvaldo A Brusco MD
Osvaldo A Brusco
613 Elizabeth St
STE 301
Corpus Christi, TX 78404
(361) 885-0448

Jacqueline E Cohn MD
Jacqueline E Cohn
1521 S Staples
STE 801
Corpus Christi, TX 78404
(361) 888-5794

Egbert Miranda MD
Egbert Miranda
5866 S Staples St
STE STE 403
Corpus Christi, TX 78413
(361) 991-5520

Marian Hendricks MD
Marian Hendricks
5833 Spohn Dr
STE 601
Corpus Christi, TX 78414
(361) 985-1888

Elizabeth E Ritchey MD
Elizabeth E Ritchey
1110 Eikel St
STE 103
New Braunfels, TX 78130
(830) 626-0501

Victoria, Texas

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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 Victoria

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Victoria Hospitals *

DeTar Hospital Navarro
506 E San Antonio St
Victoria, TX 77901
(361)575-7441

Triumph Hospital
506 E San Antonio St
Victoria, TX 77901
(361)575-1445

Citizens Medical Center
2701 Hospital Dr
Victoria, TX 77901
(361)573-9181

DeTar Hospital North
101 Medical Dr
Victoria, TX 77904
(361)573-6100

Victoria Warm Springs Rehabilitation Hospital
102 Medical Dr
Victoria, TX 77904
(361)576-6200

Devereux Victoria Center
120 David Wade Dr
Victoria, TX 77905
(361)575-8271

Jackson HealthCare Center
1013 S Wells St
Edna, TX 77957
(361)782-5241

Memorial Medical Center Port Lavaca
815 N Virginia St
Port Lavaca, TX 77979
(361)552-6713

Cuero Communty Hospital
2550 N Espanade St
Cuero, TX 77954
(361)275-6191

Yoakum Community Hospital
1200 Carl Ramert Dr
Yoakum, TX 77995
(361)293-2321

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