Question

What is the primary cause of Addison’s disease?

Short answer

The primary cause of Addison's Disease is the damaging of the adrenal glands due to an autoimmune response.

Step-by-step solution

Understand Addison's Disease

Addison's disease is a rare endocrine, or hormonal disorder that affects about 1 in 100,000 people. It occurs in all age groups and affects both sexes. In Addison's disease, your adrenal glands, located just above your kidneys, produce too little cortisol and, often, too little aldosterone.

Identify the Primary Cause

The primary cause of Addison's disease is an autoimmune response in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the adrenal glands, leading to their damage. This autoimmune attack results in the cortex of the adrenal gland becoming damaged, reducing hormone production. As most cases of Addison's are caused this way, it is often called autoimmune Addison's disease.

Key concepts

Understanding Autoimmune Disorders

Autoimmune disorders are conditions in which the body's immune system mistakenly identifies healthy cells as foreign and begins to attack them. This can happen in any part of the body, including organs, tissues, and glands. The immune system, which usually guards against germs like bacteria and viruses, turns against the body's own tissues, causing inflammation and damage.

In the case of Addison's disease, the immune system directs its attack on the adrenal glands, the small organs located on top of each kidney. The adrenal glands are part of the endocrine system, which is crucial for maintaining balance in the body, often called homeostasis. When these glands are damaged, it affects their ability to produce hormones properly, leading to the symptoms of Addison's disease. The reasons why the immune system turns on the body's tissues in autoimmune diseases are not completely understood, but it could be a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

The Endocrine System Explained

The endocrine system is a network of glands that produce and release hormones. These hormones regulate metabolism, growth and development, tissue function, sexual function, reproduction, sleep, and mood, among other things. The system plays a pivotal role in ensuring that various physiological systems work in tandem to maintain a stable internal environment.

Central to the endocrine system are various glands, such as the pituitary, thyroid, and adrenal glands. These glands produce different hormones, such as thyroid hormones, growth hormones, and cortisol. The hormones are then released into the bloodstream to reach the target organs or cells that they are designed to influence. In Addison's disease, an impaired endocrine system leads to underproduction of adrenal hormones, which can have widespread effects on the body.

Adrenal Glands Function

The adrenal glands are small, triangular-shaped glands located on top of each kidney. These glands have two main parts: the cortex and the medulla. Each part is responsible for producing different hormones that are vital for life.

The adrenal cortex produces corticosteroids, including cortisol and aldosterone. Cortisol, often called the 'stress hormone', helps the body respond to illness or stress, affects glucose metabolism and helps regulate blood pressure. Aldosterone helps control blood pressure by managing the balance of sodium and potassium in the blood. The inner part of the adrenal glands, the medulla, produces adrenaline and noradrenaline, which are responsible for the 'fight or flight' response to stress.

In Addison's disease, the autoimmune destruction typically targets the cortex, which leads to a deficiency in cortisol and often aldosterone, disrupting the delicate balance that these hormones maintain and causing the symptoms associated with the disease.