The cause of Addison’s disease is due to a slow destruction of the adrenal cortex cells in the adrenal gland. This destruction is related to infections, i.e. tuberculosis or certain fungal infections, cancer, MCV virus related to AIDS, and/or inadequate secretion of ACTH by the pituitary gland. However, the major cause of Addison's disease is an auto-immune response by the body in which the immune system makes antibodies against the cells of the adrenal cortex and slowly destroys them.
Adrenal insufficiency occurs when at least 90 percent of the adrenal cortex has been destroyed. This process takes place over months, or even years, and is usually over-looked or signs minimized by the person experiencing the symptoms. In untreated Addison’s disease, a Addisonian crises occurs due to a physical stress due to injury, infection, such as the flu, or a variety of other illnesses. This crises resolves quickly with emergency care, but is fatal if left untreated.
Currently, there is no known method for preventing this disease.
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