Addison's Disease

Since Addison’s disease is caused by the loss of cortisol and/or aldosterone, the treatment consists of replacing these hormones. Fortunately, replacement medications can be taken by mouth, unless the patient is losing fluids and/or undergoing surgery, in which case the medications must be given through injections. Since Addison’s disease is a chronic condition, daily replacement medication can never be stopped. Missing even one day of medication may precipitate a medical crises. In deed, the person with this disease should carry a small travel bag with a small amount of their medications wherever they go, just in case they forget to take their routine daily medications.

Treatment options depend on the stage of the disease as well as its severity.

An early diagnosis can be treated by hormone replacement therapy in the form of prescription corticosteroids, either taken orally, or by injection if necessary.