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Facts about skin from the New Zealand Dermatological Society Incorporated . Topic index: A B C D ... Skin signs of systemic diseases Addisons disease What is Addison's disease? Addison's disease is a hormonal disorder resulting from a severe or total deficiency of the hormones made in the adrenal cortex. The adrenal cortex is the outer portion of the adrenal gland, of which there are two, located above each kidney. Two important hormones made by the adrenal cortex are cortisol and aldosterone. They are both essential for the normal functioning of the body. In particular, aldosterone regulates salt and water levels which affect blood volume and blood pressure. Near total or total destruction of the adrenal glands results in neither of these hormones being produced and a condition called primary adrenal insufficiency or Addison's disease (first described by Dr Thomas Addison in 1855). What causes Addison's disease? There are several causes of Addison's disease: was the leading cause of Addison's disease up until the middle of the 20th century, when antibiotics were introduced that successfully treated TB. | |
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