When your body can’t make enough Addison's disease, a rare disorder where the adrenal glands fail to produce sufficient cortisol and aldosterone. Also known as primary adrenal insufficiency, it’s not just about feeling tired—it’s about your body losing its ability to handle stress, regulate blood pressure, and balance salt and water. Without enough cortisol, your body can’t respond to physical stress like illness, injury, or even extreme heat. Without aldosterone, you risk dangerous drops in blood pressure and spikes in potassium. This isn’t something you can ignore or outwork. It needs medical management—every single day.
Most cases happen because the immune system attacks the adrenal glands, mistaking them for a threat. This is called autoimmune adrenalitis, and it’s the leading cause in developed countries. But it can also come from infections like tuberculosis, cancer spreading to the adrenals, or even long-term steroid use that shuts down natural hormone production. People with other autoimmune conditions—like thyroid disease or type 1 diabetes—are at higher risk. And while it’s rare, it can strike anyone, at any age. Women are slightly more likely to develop it than men, and symptoms often creep in slowly, making it easy to mistake for burnout, depression, or just getting older.
Common signs include lasting fatigue, dark patches on skin (especially around scars, knees, and gums), low blood pressure that drops even more when standing, salt cravings, nausea, and unexplained weight loss. If you’ve been told you’re "just tired" for months and nothing helps, it’s worth asking about adrenal insufficiency, the core problem behind Addison's disease. A simple blood test can check cortisol and ACTH levels. If it’s confirmed, lifelong steroid replacement, daily medication to replace the hormones your body can’t make is the only treatment. Hydrocortisone, fludrocortisone, and sometimes prednisone keep you stable—but you must take them exactly as prescribed. Missing a dose during illness or stress can trigger an adrenal crisis, which is life-threatening.
People with Addison’s need to carry an emergency injection of hydrocortisone and wear a medical alert bracelet. They also need to know when to double their dose—during fever, surgery, or even a bad flu. Many learn to manage it well and live full lives, but it takes vigilance. You can’t guess your way through this. That’s why understanding how your body responds to stress, how medications interact, and what signs mean trouble is critical. Below, you’ll find real, practical guides on managing medication schedules, recognizing warning signs, avoiding dangerous drug interactions, and staying safe when your body is already under strain. This isn’t theoretical. These are the tools people with Addison’s use every day to stay alive and well.
Addison’s disease is a life-threatening condition where the adrenal glands fail to produce cortisol and aldosterone. Lifelong steroid replacement, emergency protocols, and patient education are essential for survival. Learn the signs, treatments, and daily management strategies.