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Addison's Disease Research Paper

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Addison’s Disease is a rare disease that attacks the endocrine system, it is also known as Hypoadrenocorticism. There are many different pathological reasons that Addison’s disease can occur. The most initial sign that Addison’s disease has occurred is a colored pigmentation of the oral cavity. The symptoms of this disease will progress over time. The condition can worsen if the patient is involved in any form of an accident. If an accident occurs, it can be life threatening. Addison’s disease typically affects 1 in 100,000 people. This disease does not discriminate, it affects all ages, genders, and races equally. The predominant cause of Addison’s disease remains to be tuberculosis. This disease was named after Thomas Addison a doctor …show more content…

Addison’s disease typically does not appear until about 90% of the glandular tissue has already been destroyed. The bronzing or “Hyperpigmentation” of the skin is usually seen more on sun-exposed skin and general pressure point areas like the elbows and knees. Vitiligo may also be seen in association to the hyperpigmentation due to the idiopathic Addison’s disease due to the autoimmune destruction of melanocytes. Hyponatremia and Hyperkalemia are also associated with Addison’s disease, patients usually complain of gastrointestinal upset as well as anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and a salt craving. These symptoms can be more severe if an accident involving the patient occurs, for example lower pain in the back, abdomen, and legs, as well as extreme vomiting and diarrhea followed by dehydration, low blood pressure, and a loss of …show more content…

As for a patient in Addisonian crisis this treatment will be conducted by injecting a potent form of steroid through a needle directly into a vein. As for dehydration and salt loss these will be treated with a balanced solution through an IV. For patients with the lowered blood pressure symptoms they will be taken care of with special medications to elevate the blood pressure until the steroids are in full effect. Patients with this disease will need to take hydrocortisone which is a steroid preparation as well as a replacement of aldosterone by mouth for the rest of their

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