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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffAddison's disease symptoms usually develop slowly, often over several months, and may include:
- Muscle weakness and fatigue
- Weight loss and decreased appetite
- Darkening of your skin (hyperpigmentation)
- Low blood pressure, even fainting
- Salt craving
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
- Nausea, diarrhea or vomiting
- Muscle or joint pains
- Irritability
- Depression
Acute adrenal failure (addisonian crisis)
Sometimes, however, the signs and symptoms of Addison's disease may appear suddenly. In acute adrenal failure (addisonian crisis), the signs and symptoms may also include:
- Pain in your lower back, abdomen or legs
- Severe vomiting and diarrhea, leading to dehydration
- Low blood pressure
- Loss of consciousness
- High potassium (hyperkalemia)
When to see a doctor
See your doctor if you have signs and symptoms that commonly occur in people with Addison's disease, such as:
- Darkening areas of skin (hyperpigmentation)
- Severe fatigue
- Unintentional weight loss
- Gastrointestinal problems, such as nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain
- Dizziness or fainting
- Salt cravings
- Muscle or joint pains
Your doctor can determine whether Addison's disease or some other medical condition may be causing these problems.
- Adrenal insufficiency and Addison's disease. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Health and Kidney Disease. http://endocrine.niddk.nih.gov/pubs/addison/addisons.pdf. Accessed March 15, 2010.
- Addison's disease. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://merck.com/mmpe/sec12/ch153/ch153b.html#sec12-ch153-ch153b-397. Accessed March 15, 2010.
- Williams GH, et al. Disorders of the adrenal cortex. In: Fauci AS, et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2900293&searchStr=addison's+disease#2900293. Accessed March 14, 2010.
- Nieman LK. Clinical manifestations of adrenal insufficiency in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 14, 2010.
- Nieman LK. Causes of primary adrenal insufficiency in adults (Addison's disease). http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 14, 2010.
- Nippoldt TB (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 17, 2010.
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