Addison's Disease

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Addison’s disease (also Addison disease, chronic adrenal insufficiency, hypocortisolism, and hypoadrenalism) is a rare, chronic endocrine system disorder in which the adrenal glands do not produce sufficient steroid hormones (glucocorticoids and often mineralocorticoids). It is characterised by a number of relatively nonspecific symptoms, such as abdominal pain and weakness, but under certain circumstances, these may progress to Addisonian crisis, a severe illness which may include very low blood pressure and coma.
See also : Adrenal Fatigue

Symptoms

Symptoms of Addison’s disease and secondary adrenal insufficiency may slowly develop and progress. Common symptoms include:

  • weakness
  • fatigue
  • abdominal pain
  • nausea
  • weight loss
  • low blood pressure
  • darkened skin
  • salt craving
  • dizziness upon standing
  • depression

Causes

https://www.endocrineweb.com/conditions/addisons-disease/addison-disease-causes

Natural Remedies

An important distinction for patients is that people with primary adrenal insufficiency (Addison’s disease) usually don’t make enough of the hormone aldosterone; so in addition to taking cortisol replacement, they also need aldosterone replacement. People with secondary adrenal insufficiency are only low on cortisol. Cortisol and aldosterone are just two of the more than 50 hormones the adrenal glands generate. One adrenal gland sits directly above each kidney.

  • Commonly used herbal remedies in the treatment of Addison's disease possess adaptogenic action. In his book "Plant Medicine in Practice," William A. Mitchell Jr., a naturopathic physician and herbalist, states that adaptogens improve your body's ability to cope with physiological stress. Examples of herbs with adaptogenic action include green tea, turmeric, reishi mushroom and Siberian ginseng. Astragalus, echinacea, milk thistle extract and ashwagandha may also be helpful in treating the signs and symptoms of Addison's disease.
  • In her book “Prescription for Nutritional Healing,” nutrition expert and certified nutritional consultant Phyllis A. Balch states that the roots of the ashwagandha plant -- a shrub that grows in certain parts of India -- help replenish and stimulate your nervous system and treat stress-induced disorders. Ashwagandha also helps treat depletion of cortisol -- a key adrenal gland hormone. This herbal remedy possesses anti-inflammatory, adaptogenic and hypotensive properties. You should avoid using ashwagandha if you are pregnant.
  • Licorice : Research showed that licorice appeared to be successful in reversing the effects of Addison’s disease (Davis 1991). With advances in scientific research in the 1980s, it was found that a chemical compound, called glycyrrhetinic acid, present in licorice causes changes in adrenal steroid metabolism, resulting in increased levels of corticosterone in animals and cortisol in humans (Davis 1991).
  • Pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5) plays a role in the synthesis and maintenance of co-enzyme A (CoA), a crucial cofactor for many biological enzymatic reactions and a primary component of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism (Horvath 2009).
  • Coenzyme Q10 : Preliminary data suggest that adrenal hormone secretion is related to coenzyme Q10 levels. Analysis of coenzyme Q10 levels in people with irregular pituitary-adrenal axis function showed that coenzyme Q10 levels are considerably lower in people with isolated decreases in adrenal function compared to people with adrenal hyperplasia or multiple pituitary deficiencies (Mancini 2005).

Warnings

  • The symptoms of Addison’s disease may slowly develop and progress. Sometimes a stressful event or illness causes symptoms to suddenly develop or worsen. Adrenal crisis—or Addisonian crisis—is a condition that merits urgent medical attention because these symptoms can be fatal.

The symptoms of an Addisonian crisis include:

    • Dehydration and/or severe vomiting and diarrhea
    • Stabbing pain in the abdomen, low back, or legs
    • Low blood pressure (shock)
    • Low blood sugar
    • Loss of consciousness
    • Life-saving treatment with steroids can only be given if the emergency medical team knows that you have adrenal insufficiency; the symptoms of Addisonian crisis can affect your thinking and even cause loss of consciousness, so it’s essential that all patients with adrenal insufficiency wear a medical alert bracelet or necklace that clearly states their diagnosis.
  • Addison’s disease is often associated with other health problems, including Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Adrenal Fatigue, hypoparathyroidism, testicular failure and thyrotoxicosis, which can all cause significant health side effects. Because of its association with these potentially harmful conditions, Addison’s disease should not be treated lightly. If you have this condition, you should review all relevant and efficacious treatment options with your doctor. Herbs may be a helpful addition to your Addison’s disease treatment plan, but avoid using herbs until you have check with your doctor.

References