Causes of Addison’s Disease
The most common cause of Addison’s disease is an autoimmune reaction, which occurs when your immune system mistakenly targets healthy tissues. When you have Addison’s disease, your immune system attacks the adrenal cortex, the outer layer of your adrenal glands where cortisol and aldosterone are made. 90% of the adrenal cortex can be damaged for months or even years before symptoms start to show.
About 75% of people with Addison’s disease experience an autoimmune reaction. For instance, the uncommon inherited disorders autoimmune polyendocrine syndromes I (APS type-1) and II can result in autoimmunity and Addison’s disease (Schmidt syndrome). In the past, TB was one of the main causes of Addison’s sickness. It continues to be a significant cause of illness in developing countries. Some other common causes of Addison’s disease are as follows:
- Autoimmune diseases
- Tuberculosis
- Neoplasms
- Inflammatory necrosis
- Amyloidosis
- Hemochromatosis
- Waterhouse-Friedrichsen syndrome following the meningococcal septicemia
- Bilateral adrenalectomy
Difference Between Addison’s Disease and Cushing’s Syndrome
The main distinction between Addison syndrome and Cushing’s disease is that Cushing’s syndrome exhibits an excess of cortisol while Addison’s disease exhibits a hormonal deficiency of cortisol and aldosterone. To correctly diagnose and treat Addison’s disease and Cushing’s syndrome, it’s critical to understand their differences. The hypofunction of the adrenal gland, which may be brought on by primary adrenocortical insufficiency or a lack of pituitary adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) release, is the underlying cause of Addison’s disease. On the other hand, overproduction of the hormone cortisol in the body results in Cushing’s syndrome. Let’s have a glance at both topics in detail.
Contact Us