Addison's Disease

Group Project
By Adeeb Ahmed
and Cash Schempp

What are the major issues

of Addison's Disease?
Addison's disease features a deterioration of the adrenal
cortex often brought on by an autoimmune disorder in
which the immune system attacks its own adrenal glands.
This incites the adrenal cortex to release insufficient
quantities of mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids.
The inadequate secretion of the glucocorticoid, cortisol,
and other hormones cause sharp weight loss, sodium and
potassium imbalances, overall weakness, darkening of the
skin, and hypoglycemia (low blood glucose levels).
In fact, low levels of the mineralocorticoid, aldosterone,
cause a greater excretion of urine in which copious amounts
of sodium and potassium ions flow out. This might lead to a
fatal decline in blood pressure, along with dire electrolyte
imbalances.
Patients with the Addison's disease also report bouts of
lightheadedness, fainting, and piercing muscle or joint pain.
Taken together, scarce amounts of these hormones can
incite a medical emergency, known as an adrenal crisis.

Addison's Disease

Damaged
Damaged Adrenal
Adrenal Cortex
Cortex

The skin of patients with Addison's Disease (depicted by the

leftmost hand and middle hand) is considerably darker than the
skin of unaffected individuals (illustrated by the rightmost hand).

Symptoms of Hypoglycemia in Patients

with Addison's Disease
 What types of people
are affected by
Addison's Disease?

Addison's Disease is most prevalent in people

between 30 to 50 years old. This disease has a
greater likelihood of happening to women than
men. However, it has a chance of inflicting
people at any age of their life, even during
childhood. Moreover, people with autoimmune
diseases, hemorrhages, HIV, and tuberculosis
have a greater predisposal to develop Addison's
Disease. Also, the risk of having this disorder
heightens when people take blood-thinning
drugs or exhibit tumours, cancer, Chronic
thyroiditis, Testicular dysfunction, fungal
infection, and etc.

People who ingest Aspirin, an

People who have tumours example of a blood-thinning
are susceptible. drug, are also susceptible.

Addison's Disease has the highest chance of

Tuberculosis occurring to middle-aged women.

Chronic
Testicular Dysfunction
Thyroiditis

Very young children, like this one

illustrated above, can also develop
Addison's Disease.

If people have the 4 disorders illustrated above, they will have a

stronger likelihood of developing Addison's Disease.
 What are some possible
treatments for Addison's
Disease?

Patients with Addison's disease can be treated by

replenishing their depleted stocks of glucocorticoids
and mineralocorticoids. This is often accomplished
through hormone replacement therapy in which
injections of synthetic glucocorticoids and
mineralocorticoids, such as hydrocortisone and
fludrocortisone acetate, are given.
Other aspects of treatment include androgen
replacement and maintaining diet that is rich in
Vitamin D and calcium-containing foods. Also,
patients might have to heighten the salt intake in their
diet to compensate for their low blood salt levels.

Patients with Addison's Disease receiving

injections of fludrocortisone acetate.

Androgen/Testosterone
Replacement Therapy

A collection of foods that are enriched with

Calcium and Vitamin D.
Some examples of salty foods to eat for
Addison's Disease patients.
 What are some ways in
which individuals can
prevent the onset of
Addison's Disease?

Unfortunately, there are no methods in which people can prevent

having Addison's Disease. This is the case because Addison's Disease is
genetic and some of its causes, such as autoimmune disorders, are also
handed down along a family's genes. Fortunately, there are some ways
put in place to prevent Addisonian/Adrenal crises. These ways include
realizing the symptoms of low blood cortisol levels, such as headaches,
fatigue, high blood pressure, and a racing heart. Then, the affected
individual would seek medical treatment before the symptoms
culminate to an Addisonian crisis. Some other prevention tactics
include alleviating stress, a major trigger for crises, by participating in
pleasurable activities and maintaining a proper nutrition and hydration.

Some pleasurable activities that will help

to diminish stress levels.
People must recognize the symptoms of an Adrenal
Crisis to prevent an actual one from occurring.

Maintaining a healthy nutrition and diet is pivotal for

preventing Addisonian Crises.
 Some interesting facts
that arise from
Addison's Disease

Addison's Disease was discovered and first described by the

English physician, Thomas Addison.

Addison's Disease is very rare and it impacts only 1 out of every

100 000 people in the world. In fact, the iconic American
president, John F. Kennedy, is among one of these few affected
people.

Addison's disease can be caused by cancerous cells from other

regions of the body infiltrating into the adrenal cortex and then
rapidly dividing.

The symptoms of Addison's Disease worsen slowly, often over the

course of multiple months.

Addison's Disease patients often have a strong craving for salt that
arises from their body producing very low levels of aldosterone.

Oftentimes, people with Addison's Disease can lead regular lives if

they adhere to strict treatment and medication routines.

However, if Addison's Disease remains undiagnosed for a long

enough time, it can lead to life-threatening shocks and kidney
failures.

Thomas Addison

The woman pictured above has Addison's Disease, but she is still able
to conduct a normal life with little to no restrictions.