While there is no cure for
Addison's disease, treatment can help control the condition. This often involves counteracting the adrenal gland malfunction by replacing or substituting the hormones that the adrenal glands are not making.
If the cortisol hormone is deficient, treatment for Addison disease is performed with oral hydrocortisone tablets. If aldosterone is also deficient, treatment is carried out through oral doses of fludrocortisone acetate.
Treatment during an
addisonian crisis is quite different because these situations can be life-threatening. At these times, intravenous injections of hydrocortisone, saline, and dextrose are typically used.
(Click Addison's Disease Treatment for more information on how this condition is managed, including specific dosing guidelines for the replacement of cortisol and aldosterone, and a general prognosis.)
