what exactly does addisons disease do to a person?

Question

my sis has addisons disease and i'd like to know how to tell the difference between her disease and it's effects and when she's just being a big old drama queen - - how do I tell? at what age does this disease attack the hardest? how likely is a sudden death from it?

Answer 1

Addison's disease is a hormone deficiency caused by damage to the outer layer of the adrenal gland (adrenal cortex).



Symptoms:

Extreme weakness
Fatigue
Unintentional weight loss
Nausea and vomiting
Chronic diarrhea
Loss of appetite
Darkening of the skin - patchy skin color
Unnaturally dark color in some locations
Paleness may also occur
Mouth lesions on the inside of a cheek (buccal mucosa) - pigmentation
Slow, sluggish, lethargic movement
Changes in the blood pressure or heart rate
Salt craving

Treatment

Replacement therapy with corticosteroids will control the symptoms of this disease. However, these drugs must usually be continued for life. Usually a combination of glucocorticoids (cortisone or hydrocortisone) and mineralocorticoids (fludrocortisone) are given.

Medication may need to be increased during times of stress, infection, or injury.

Adrenal crisis is an extreme manifestation of symptoms of adrenal insufficiency brought on by physical stress. Hydrocortisone must be injected immediately to sustain life. Supportive treatment for low blood pressure is usually necessary as well.

Some people with Addison's disease are taught to give themselves an emergency injection of hydrocortisone during stressful situations. It is important for the individual with Addison's disease to always carry a medical identification card that states the type of medication and the proper dose needed in case of an emergency.

Never skip doses of medication for this condition, as life-threatening reactions may occur. If unable to retain medication due to vomiting, notify your health care provider, go to the emergency room, or call the local emergency number (such as 911) immediately.

Also report sudden weight gain or fluid retention to the health care provider.

Answer 2

Normally no news is good news. I don't know where you are so I can't say if maybe they didn't call you bc they went right into another surgery, or are waiting for anesthesia to ware off. Or maybe they are waiting to see how the dog is doing first? I'm sure if something happened they would have called right away. One of my dogs had an intestinal blockage a while back and the sitting at home waiting was terrible! I feel your pain, maybe you could call them? If not tonight than definitely first thing in the morning I would! Hope everything is good and your dog has a good recovery!

Answer 3

Addison`s disease is deficiency of adrenal cortical hormones. This causes reduced tolerence to stress,extreme weakness , pigemntation of extremities,low blood glucose,and anemia.It is curable with ACTH & Steroids.

Answer 4

Addisons effects the hormone production specifically adrenalin.
The treatment is steroids for the rest of her life.

If she does not take them she could wake up dead.

I have (APECED) or also known as

Polyglandular deficiency syndrome type II

Hormone problems really SUCK.

Answer 5

this disease occurs mainly due to lack of corticotropic hormone production due to hypoadrenalism
due to negative feedback mech CRH and melanocyte stimulating hormone will also increase hence patient will have hyperpigmentation on any part of the body
sudden death rarely occurs
the disease occurs esp in ladies in 40s