Addison Disease Center - Westfield, MA
Westfield 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 Westfield * Springfield Medical Associates  Endocrine Associates of Western Massachusetts PC  Endocrine Associates of Western Massachusetts PC  Endocrine Associates of Western Massachusetts PC  Robert Cooper MD  RiverBend Medical Group Chicopee Office  Baystate Endocrinology and Diabetes  Baystate Endocrinology and Diabetes  Baystate Endocrinology and Diabetes  Baystate Endocrinology and Diabetes  Jeffrey Korff MD  Vilma Carlone MD & Mary P Roy MD  Vilma Carlone MD & Mary P Roy MD  Vilma Carlone MD & Mary P Roy MD  Valley Medical Group  Palmer Medical Center  Margaret A Ferry MD  Bruce J Schickmanter MD  Frederic H Schwartz MD  Grove Medical Associates  UMass Memorial Medical Group  UMass Memorial Medical Group  UMass Medical Center Endocrinology  UMass Medical Center Endocrinology  UMass Medical Center Endocrinology  UMass Medical Center Endocrinology  UMass Medical Center Endocrinology  UMass Medical Center Endocrinology  UMass Medical Endocrinology & Diabetes Clinic  UMass Medical Endocrinology & Diabetes Clinic  UMass Medical Center Endocrinology  UMass Medical Center Endocrinology  UMass Medical Endocrinology & Diabetes Clinic  UMass Medical Center Endocrinology  Edward L Klaiber MD  The Physicians of 200 Lincoln St  Fallon Medical Center Worcester  Gilbert T Brovar MD  Marlborough Medical Associates  Charles River Medical Assoc  Charles River Medical Associate  Medical Assosciates of Greater Boston  Charles River Medical Associates  Charles River Medical Assoc  Hayward K Zwerling MD  Theodore Spielberg MD  Caritas Physician Network  Boston IVF Inc  Newton-Wellesley Hospital Endocrinology Diabetes  Newton-Wellesley Hospital Endocrinology Diabetes  Edward Busick MD Westfield, MassachusettsUpcoming Local Events2012-05-26
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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 Westfield
Nearby Westfield Hospitals *Western Massachusetts Hospital Baystate Medical Center Mercy Medical Center Weldon Rehabilitation Hospital Shriners Hospital for Children Noble Hospital Providence Hospital Kindred Hospital Park View Holyoke Medical Center HEALTHSOUTH Rehabilitation Hospital of Western Massachusetts Cooley Dickinson Hospital Northampton VA Medical Center Wing Memorial Hospital & Medical Center Johnson Memorial Hospital Rockville General Hospital St Francis Care Hospital Mount Sinai Campus The Hospital at Hebrew Healthcare Mount Sinai Rehabilitation Hospital St Francis Hospital & Medical Center Manchester Memorial Hospital Baystate Mary Lane Hospital Hungerford Emergency & Medical Care Connecticut Children's Medical Center Hartford Hospital Institute of Living Hartford Hospital University of Connecticut Health Center John Dempsey VA Connecticut Healthcare System Newington Campus Cedarcrest Hospital Hospital for Special Care The Hospital of Central Connecticut New Britain Campus Veterans Home & Hospital Rocky Hill Harrington Memorial Hospital Charlotte Hungerford Hospital Bristol Hospital Franklin 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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