Addison's Disease

Domain	Definitions
Health	A disease characterized by hypotension, weight loss, anorexia, weakness, and sometimes a bronze-like melanotic hyperpigmentation of the skin. It is due to tuberculosis- or autoimmune-induced disease (hypofunction) of the adrenal glands that results in deficiency of aldosterone and cortisol. In the absence of replacement therapy, it is usually fatal. (references)
	A systemic disease, usually fatal, due to hypofunction of the cortical portion of the adrenal gland, characterized by bronzed pigmentation of the skin, general weakness, low blood pressure, severe anemia, and digestive disturbances. (references)
Medicine	2)a systemic disease, usually fatal, due to hypofunction of the cortical portion of the adrenal gland, characterized by bronzed pigmentation of the skin, general weakness, low blood pressure, severe anemia, and digestive disturbances. Source: European Union. (references)
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

Specialty Definition: Addison's disease

Addison's disease (also known as chronic adrenal insufficiency, or hypocortisolism) is a rare endocrine disorder. It occurs when the adrenal glands, seated above the kidneys, fail to produce enough of the hormone cortisol and, sometimes, the hormone aldosterone.

There are two forms of Addison's disease, based on the reason for the disorder. Primary adrenal insufficiency occurs when the adrenal glands themselves are not working properly; secondary adrenal insufficiency occurs when the pituitary gland does not produce enough adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) to adequately stimulate the adrenal glands.

Addison's disease progresses slowly, and symptoms may not present or be noticed until some stressful illness or situation occurs. Common symptoms are:

chronic fatigue that gradually worsens
muscle weakness
loss of appetite
weight loss
nausea/vomiting
diarrhea
low blood pressure that falls further when standing (orthostatic hypotension)
areas of hyperpigmentation (darkened skin)
irritability
depression
craving for salt and salty foods
hypoglycaemia (worse in children)

- for women, menstrual periods that become irregular or that stop

An illness or accident can aggravate the adrenal problems and cause an Addisonian crisis in which the symptoms include:

sudden penetrating pain in the legs, lower back or abdomen
severe vomiting and diarrhea, resulting in dehydration
low blood pressure
loss of consciousness

Untreated, an Addisonian crisis can be fatal.

Treatment for Addison's disease basically involves replacing the missing cortisol and, if necessary, providing replacement therapy for the missing aldosterone. Caution must be exercised when the person with Addison's disease has surgery or becomes pregnant.

adapted from public-domain resource at http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health/endo/pubs/addison/addison.htm

Commercial Usage: Addison's Disease

Domain	Title
References	The Official Patient's Sourcebook on Addison's Disease (reference) (more reference examples)

Books	Immunological studies on Addison's disease (reference) Organ-Specific Autoantibodies in Addison's Disease & Autoimmune Polyendocrine Syndrome Type I (Comprehensive Summaries of Uppsala Dissertations from t (reference) (more book examples)
Source: compiled by the editor from various references; see credits.

Non-Fiction Usage: Addison's Disease

Subject	Topic	Quote
Health		Addison's disease can cause irritability and depression. (references)
		This is the most specific test for diagnosing Addison's disease. (references)
		A diagnosis of Addison's disease is made by biochemical laboratory tests. (references)
Source: compiled by the editor from ICON Group International, Inc.; see credits.

Modern Translations: Addison's Disease

Language		Translations for "Addison's disease"; alternative meanings/domain in parentheses.
Danish		Addison's sygdom (Addison disease, suprarenal melasma), nanismus suprarenalis (Addison disease), cachexia suprarenalis (Addison disease), bronzesygdom (Addison disease). (various references)

Dutch		morbus addisonii (Addison disease), morbus Addison (Addison disease), melasma addisonii (Addison disease), insufficientia adrenalis (Addison disease), bronsziekte (Addison disease), bijnier-insufficiëntie (Addison disease). (various references)

French		maladie d'Addison (Addison disease), maladie bronzée (Addison disease). (various references)

German		Addison Nebennierenkrankheit (Addison disease), Addison Krankheit (Addison disease), Morbus Addison (Addison disease), Melasma suprarenale (Addison disease), Bronzekrankheit (Addison disease). (various references)

Greek		νόσος επινεφριδίων (Addison disease), νόσος Addison (Addison disease). (various references)

Italian		morbo bronzino (Addison disease), malattia di Addison (Addison disease), iposurrenalismo cronico (Addison disease). (various references)

Japanese Kanji		アジソン病 (adjust, agitating point, agitation, agitation bill, agitator, hideout, secret base of operations). (various references)

Japanese Katakana		アジソンびょう. (various references)

Pig Latin		addison'say iseaseday

Portuguese		enfermidade de Addison (Addison disease). (various references)

Spanish		enfermedad de Addison (Addison disease). (various references)
Source: compiled by the editor from various translation references.