Causes
Addison's disease is the result of gradual damage to the adrenal cortex, the outer layer of the adrenal gland. This damage may be caused by:
- The body's immune system attacking the gland (autoimmune disease), which accounts for 85% of cases in developed countries
- Tuberculosis (major cause in the Third World countries)
- Bleeding within the adrenal glands (related to use of anticoagulant medications and shock )
- Surgical complication
- Congenital (present at birth) or genetic factors (enzyme defects, familial glucocorticoid insufficiency)
- Cytomegalovirus (CMV) associated with AIDS
-
Fungal infections, including:
- Blastomycosis
- Histoplasmosis
- Coccidioidomycosis
- Cancer including metastases from:
- Long-term corticosteroid treatment
- Medications (such as ketoconazole or etomidate)
- Radiation treatment
-
Chronic illness, including:
- Sarcoidosis
- Hemachromatosis
- Amyloidosis
- Adrenoleukodystrophy
- Adrenomyelodystrophy
Risk Factors
A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition.
Risk factors include:
- Having the following autoimmune diseases can put you at risk for an associated autoimmune-based Addison’s disease:
- Stress
- Anticoagulant medications
- Abdominal injury
- Family members with autoimmune-caused Addison's disease
-
Long-term steroid medication treatment, followed by:
- Severe stress
- Infection
- Surgery
- Trauma
- Previous surgery on adrenal glands
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2024 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.