Addison’s Cushings
- Tuesday, December 9, 2008, 2:38
- Addison's Disease
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This is an endocrine disease in most cases caused by what we call autoimmunity. It is a treatable disease, but it is not curable! Autoimmunity is our body’s very strange ability to attack its own tissues. In the case of Addison’s disease the adrenal glands are irrevocably damaged by this unfortunate blunder. In former times Addison’s disease was mainly caused by tuberculosis (TB).
The main functions of the adrenal glands are support of the body’s defence system and the regulation of the salt and water levels in the body. The adrenal glands have great influence on the body’s functions during physical and mental exertion. Once you have Addison’s disease, you have it for live! It is a chronic illness.
The most noticeable symptoms are among others fatigue and muscular weakness, skin coloration (bronzed skin), loss of weight, nausea and vomiting and low blood pressure. Two very specific symptoms are the craving and need for salt or salty foods and hyperpymentation!
CUSHING’S SYNDROME
Patients suffering from Cushing’s syndrome produce excessive amounts of the adrenocortical hormone cortisol (=hydrocortisone).
Cushing’s syndrome is relatively rare and usually due to a small benign tumour of the pituitary gland which produces ACTH (Cushing’s disease). Treatment usually consists of surgical removal of the tumour.
In most other cases Cushing’s syndrome is caused by a cortisol-producing adrenal tumour and in this case it is treated by removal of the affected adrenal gland.
Cushingoid symptoms can also be a result of prolonged use of steroids, such as Prednisone, commonly prescribed for asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and others.
Full recovery is possible in many cases, although it can take several months or even more time after surgery before full recovery has been reached.
| The most noticeable symptoms are: |
| weight gain | blurry vision |
| sleep disorders | osteoporosis |
| raised blood pressure | irregular or absent menstrual cycles |
| (easy) bruising | excessive hair growth |
| moon face | muscular weakness |
| thin, vulnerable skin | impaired wound healing |
| psychological changes | fatigue |
Some possible helpful hints:
- Make yourself an expert
- Find all the support you can get
- Keep a journal
- Keep records of your medical history
- Write down your questions for your doctor and make note of the answers
- Take someone with you when you visit your doctor
- Become a support group member
- Find a Cushing buddy, it might knowing you are not the only one
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