What is Addisons Disease ?
Addison’s disease is a severe or total deficiency of the hormones made in the adrenal cortex, caused by the destruction of the cortex. There are normally two adrenal glands, located one above each kidney. The adrenal glands are really two endocrine (ductless or hormone producing) glands in one. The inner part of the adrenal gland (called the medulla) produces epinephrine (also called adrenaline) which is produced at times of stress and helps the body respond to “fight or flight” situations by raising the pulse rate, adjusting blood flow, and raising blood sugar. The absence of the adrenal medulla and epinephrine does not cause disease. The outer portion of the adrenal gland, the cortex, is more critical. The adrenal cortex makes two important steroid hormones, cortisol and aldosterone. Cortisol mobilizes nutrients, modifies the body’s response to inflammation, stimulates the liver to raise the blood sugar, and also helps to control the amount of water in the body. Aldosterone regulates
