Addison's Disease

Addison's Disease is a very serious disease that is also known as hypoadrenocorticism. It is caused when the adrenal gland does not produce enough adrenal hormone. This insufficiency can be primary which affects the salt and potassium levels in the body as well as the glucorticoid and secondary, which affects the glucorticoid only. Pituitary cancer can be a precursor to Addison's Disease because it interferes with the stimulation of the adrenal glands. Some early signs of Addison's Disease are lethargy, vomiting, and poor appetite. A severe sign can be heart arrhythmias. The treatment of Addison's disease is an oral treatment of fludrocortisone acetate or corticosteroids and salting food. An aggressive treatment is used in severe cases and it includes intravenous treatments.