What Is Adrenal Insufficiency?
Adrenal insufficiency, also known as Addison's disease, is a disorder that occurs when the adrenal glands don't produce enough of the essential hormones cortisol and aldosterone. These glands, located on top of your kidneys, play a critical role in regulating various bodily functions. Cortisol helps manage stress response, blood sugar levels, and metabolism. Aldosterone is crucial for maintaining blood pressure by regulating sodium and potassium levels.
In adrenal insufficiency, the lack of sufficient hormone production disrupts these vital functions, leading to a variety of symptoms. The condition can develop at any age, but it's more common in adults between 30 and 50 years old. There are two main types of adrenal insufficiency: primary and secondary. Primary adrenal insufficiency, the more common type, occurs when the adrenal glands themselves are damaged and cannot produce enough hormones. Secondary adrenal insufficiency occurs when the pituitary gland, located at the base of the brain, doesn't produce enough ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone), which stimulates the adrenal glands to produce cortisol.
