Lightning Learning: Addison's Disease

““Addison’s Disease is when the adrenal glands produce insufficient adrenal hormones, aka hypoadrenalism or primary adrenal insufficiency.””

— advice is based on local guidelines & procedures

Download Poster

What?

When the adrenal glands produce insufficient adrenal hormones, aka hypoadrenalism or primary adrenal insufficiency.

Causes include:

• Autoimmune

• Adrenalectomy

• Infections such as TB or HIV

Signs & Symptoms can be non-specific:

• Exhaustion, weakness, weight loss, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, abdo pains, headache, hypotension and deep skin pigmentation.

Patients require lifelong daily steroids, and may require extra when unwell.

Why?

In UK 1-in-10,000 people have Addison’s disease, with 300-350 new cases diagnosed each year. It is rare but potentially fatal. Addison’s crisis can lead to coma & death. Prompt treatment with steroids & IV fluids is needed.

Signs & symptoms of crisis:

• Extreme weakness

• Confusion

• Drowsiness & coma

• Tachycardia or bradycardia

• Hypotension/cool periphery

• Abdominal pain and tenderness & pain in lower back pain and legs

• Headache

• Hyperkalaemia/Hyponatremia

• Severe D&V leading to dehydration

Further Reading

• NICE: Knowledge Summary
• LITFL: Adrenal Insufficiency

Visit addisons.org.uk for more information