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Addison's Disease
The Basics
Written by the doctors and editors at UpToDate
What is Addison's disease? — Addison's disease is a condition that can cause people to have low blood
pressure, lose weight, and feel tired and weak.
Addison's disease occurs when the body's adrenal glands do not work normally. The adrenal glands are small
organs that are located on top of each kidney (figure 1). Normally, the adrenal glands make substances called
hormones. These hormones do many things in the body, such as help keep blood sugar levels and blood
pressure normal. In people with Addison's disease, the adrenal glands do not work properly and do not make
enough hormones. This causes symptoms, which in some cases can become severe and even life-threatening.
What are the symptoms of Addison's disease? — Most people with Addison's disease have the following
symptoms:
Darkening of the skin, especially on the face, neck, and back of the hands
Craving salt
Losing hair from the armpits and pubic area (in women)
Sometimes, a person's symptoms can become severe and life-threatening. Doctors call this "adrenal crisis."
Symptoms of adrenal crisis can include:
Confusion
Have a major injury, for example if you break a bone or lose a lot of blood
Pass out
Carry an emergency medicine shot with you, especially if you travel to areas that are not near a hospital
Learn about the symptoms of adrenal crisis so that you will know when to treat it or get help
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