Overview

Addison's disease also known as adrenal insufficiency is a rare illness that occurs when the adrenal glands produce insufficient cortisol and more frequently insufficient aldosterone. It is an autoimmune disease that affects some genetically predisposed people. The body's immune system has begun to target the adrenal gland. 

There are two types of adrenal insufficiency. Addison's disease is primarily caused by an autoimmune response in which the immune system attacks healthy tissues for unknown reasons. Addison's disease involves the immune system attacking the adrenal cortex which produces cortisol and aldosterone. 

Cortisol's primary function is to help the body respond to stress. It also regulates your body's protein carbohydrate and fat metabolism maintains blood pressure and cardiovascular function and reduces inflammation. 

Aldosterone aids your kidneys in regulating the amount of salt and potassium in your body as well as controlling blood volume and blood pressure. When your aldosterone levels are too low your kidneys are unable to maintain proper salt levels. This in turn lowers your blood pressure.

Causes

Primary adrenal insufficiency is caused by an autoimmune disease that damages your adrenal glands. 

Primarily adrenal insufficiency can also be caused by, Tuberculosis (or other infections) of the adrenal gland Adrenal gland cancer, and adrenal gland bleeding. 

Secondary adrenal insufficiency is the result of the adrenal glands ceasing to produce hormones due to another illness. For instance, if your pituitary gland is malfunctioning or if you abruptly quit taking a corticosteroid medication after taking it for a long time. Corticosteroids are used to treat asthma allergies arthritis cancer and immune system disorders.

Symptoms

• Excessive fatigue feeble muscles 

• Reduced appetite Reduction in weight Hyperpigmentation or darkening of the skin 

• Decreased heart rate or low blood pressure 

• Dizziness and fainting 

• A craving for salt Low glucose levels (hypoglycemia)

•  Nausea or vomiting. 

• Diarrhoea Abdominal Pain Muscle or joint pain

•  Irritability 

• Depression 

• Sexual dysfunction or loss of body hair in women

Ayurvedic View

Ojus kshaya due to tri dosha aggravation predominantly vata dosha prakopa, there is Shoshana ( depletion) of rasadhi dhatu or decrease of vata kapha dosha with aggravation of pitta dosha, causing the burning of rasadhi dhatu and ojas resulting in Shoshana. This ojas is responsible for overall health, and energy and has also got psychological elemental function. When dosha effects there will be symptoms like gatra sadha( fatigue), sandhi vishlesha (looseness of joints)and lack of strength, kriya sani rodha( lack of normal functioning of the body), Varna beda ( discoloration) and ultimately resulting in Marna ( death). Ayurveda helps in correcting the Agni ( metabolism), proper formation of ojus, bringing dosha back to prakrutha avastha improving the physical and mental health of an individual, and encouraging self-confidence and willpower.

Ayurvedic Treatments

Deepanam   Pachanam  Snehanam   Langanam   Nadi swedanam

Naturopathy Treatments

Enema   Steam bath   Manipulative therapy   Acupuncture  Yogatherapy   Pranayama.