Addison's Disease Treatment: An Overview
There is no
Addison's disease cure; however, Addison's disease can be controlled with medications. Addison's disease treatment involves counteracting the adrenal gland malfunction by replacing, or substituting, the hormones that the adrenal glands are not making.
Most people with Addison's disease should expect to lead healthy lives with a normal life expectancy.
Replacing Cortisol, Aldosterone, or Both
If cortisol is deficient, Addison's disease treatment involves oral hydrocortisone tablets, a synthetic glucocorticoid, taken once or twice a day. If aldosterone is also deficient, Addison's disease treatment consists of oral doses of a mineralocorticoid called fludrocortisone acetate (Florinef®), which is taken once a day.
Patients receiving aldosterone replacement therapy are usually advised by a doctor to increase their salt intake. The doses of each of these Addison's disease treatment medications are adjusted to meet the needs of individual patients.
Addison's Disease Treatment During an Addisonian Crisis
During an
addisonian crisis, low
blood pressure, low blood glucose, and high levels of potassium can be life threatening. Addison's disease treatment during such a crisis involves intravenous injections of hydrocortisone, saline (salt water), and dextrose (sugar). This treatment usually brings rapid improvement.
(Click Addisonian Crisis Treatment for more information about addisonian crisis treatments and ways to help reduce the chance of an addisonian crisis.)
