Addison’s Disease Support
Addison’s disease, or adrenal insufficiency, is a disorder that occurs when the adrenal glands are damaged and do not produce enough of the hormone cortisol, which regulates (“fight or flight”) stress response; and the hormone aldosterone, which regulates blood pressure.
Addison’s disease occurs in all ages and both sexes, and can be life-threatening. Symptoms include:
- Muscle weakness and fatigue
- Weight loss and decreased appetite
- Darkening of your skin (hyperpigmentation)
- Low blood pressure, even fainting
- Salt craving
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
- Nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting
- Muscle or joint pains
- Irritability
- Depression
- Body hair loss
- Sexual dysfunction (in women)
Causes of Addison’s disease or adrenal insufficiency may include:
- Tuberculosis
- Other infections of the adrenal glands
- Spread of cancer to the adrenal glands
- Bleeding into the adrenal glands