

Read more about the symptoms of Addison’s disease and diagnosing Addison’s disease. You may also develop small areas of darkened skin, or darkened lips or gums.Īlthough these symptoms aren’t always caused by Addison’s disease, you should see your GP if you have them so they can be investigated. Over time, these problems may become more severe and you may experience further symptoms, such as dizziness, fainting, cramps and exhaustion. loss of appetite and unintentional weight loss.It can affect people of any age, although it's most common between the ages of 30 and 50. It is also more common in women than men.Įarly-stage symptoms of Addison’s disease are similar to other more common health conditions such as depression or flu. You may experience: The adrenal gland is damaged in Addison's disease, so it does not produce enough cortisol and aldosterone.Ībout 8,400 people in the UK have Addison's disease. They produce two essential hormones: cortisol and aldosterone.
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The adrenal glands are two small glands that sit on top of the kidneys. Because most cases of Addison’s disease are autoimmune, people with Addison’s disease may also develop vitiligo.Addison’s disease - also known as primary adrenal insufficiency or hypoadrenalism - is a rare disorder of the adrenal glands. People with one autoimmune disease are more at risk of developing another. It may also affect hair color and the hair in the inner ear. Smooth white patches of skin appear as the immune system destroys the skin cells that make melanin. Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease that causes the skin to lose its color. The discoloration develops over a variety of areas, including:ĭark patches usually develop first in the mouth and gums, along with blue-black patches across the genitals and rectum, before they appear across the body. The appearance of dark patches on the skin is a common symptom of Addison’s disease. There are several Addison’s disease symptoms, which include: Hyperpigmentation

Signs and symptoms of Addison's disease in your skinĪddison’s disease usually progresses slowly and isn’t recognized until another illness or intense stress suddenly makes it worse.
