ADDISON'S DISEASE is a disorder that occurs when your body produces insufficient amounts of certain hormones produced by your adrenal glands. In Addison's disease, your adrenal glands produce too little cortisol and often insufficient levels of aldosterone as well. Also called adrenal insufficiency, Addison's disease occurs in all age groups and affects both sexes. Addison's disease can be life-threatening. Treatment for Addison's disease involves taking hormones to replace the insufficient amounts being made by your adrenal glands, in order to mimic the beneficial effects produced by your naturally made hormones. Anatomy and PhysiologyThe endocrine system is considered as one of the bodys most complex systems. It affects functions of the different organs or organ system. It is greatly interrelated with the function of the nervous system, to coordinate body processes.Alterations in function of the endocrine system result in a variety of physiologic changes, which may be very serious and fatal, but at times may require minimal hospital care. The end result of most pathologic processes affecting the endocrine system is hypersecretion or hyposecretion of hormones.The endocrine system is composed of an interrelated complex of glands (pituitary, adrenals, thyroid, parathyroids, islets of Langerhans of the pancreas, thymus, pineal gland, ovaries, and testes) that secrete a variety of hormones directly into the bloodstream.Although the nervous and endocrine systems act together to coordinate functions of all body systems, their means of control are different. Exocrine glands (exo- outside) secrete their products into ducts that carry the secretions into body cavities, into lumen of an organ, or to the outer surface of the body. Endocrine glands, by contrast, secrete their products (hormones) into the interstitial fluid surrounding the secretory cells, rather than into ducts.

Functions: Maintenance and regulation of vital functions Response to stress and injury Growth and development Energy metabolism Reproduction Fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balanceAdrenal Gland Two small glands, one above each kidney Regulates sodium and electrolyte balance Affects carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism Influences the development of sexual characteristics Sustains the flight or fight responseConsist of two sections: Adrenal cortex (outer portion) The outer shell of the adrenal gland Produces mineralocorticoidsAldosterone: regulates electrolyte balance by promoting sodium retention and potassium excretion. Produces GlucocorticoidsCortisol, Cortisone, and Corticosterone Produces sex hormones govern development of certain secondary sex characteristics. Secretion of adrenal androgens is controlled by ACTH. Adrenal medulla (inner portion) The inner core of the adrenal gland Works as part of the sympathetic nervous system Produces two catecholamines: epinephrine (also called as adrenalin), norepinephrine (sometimes called noradrenalin).