Addison's Disease

Every person has two adrenal glands, which are located above each kidney. The adrenal gland is divided into two parts: the inner adrenal gland or medulla, which produces epinephrine, and the outer adrenal gland or cortex which produces two essential hormones, cortisol and aldosterone.

Addison's disease is an endocrine or hormonal disorder caused by severe or total deficiency of the steroid hormones Cortisol and Aldosterone, made in the adrenal cortex.

The adrenal glands are actually two glands in one, with hormone producing inner and outer parts. The inner part, called the medulla, produces adrenalin. The outer part, the adrenal cortex, produces cortisol and aldosterone. Classical Addison's disease results from a loss of both cortisol and aldosterone secretion due to the near total or total destruction of both adrenal glands.