Case Study Addison's Disease

An anatomical change that Addison's disease can have on the nervous system is hyperpigmentation. With the insufficient levels of glucocorticoids, found in the blood, causes the pituitary gland to release more adrenocorticotropic hormone, or ACTH. In some cases, parts of this hormone are converted into melanocytes, which initiates production of melanin. This leads to darkening of skin cells in areas, such as 'Palmar creases, flexural areas, sites of friction, recent scars, vermilion border of the lips, and genital skin' (Nieman and Chanco Turner, 2006). Although the adrenal glands are part of the endocrine system, they also works alongside the nervous system to protect the body. A physiological change that Addison's disease can have on the nervous system is orthostatic hypotension …show more content…
Hypotension is caused by the adrenal glands being unable to produce sufficient amounts of the blood pressure regulating hormone called cortisol. Therefore, without the adrenal glands functioning appropriately, sympathetic activity is decrease.

There are not many treatments that are available to patients with Addison's disease. The current treatments of Addison's disease are generally taken throughout the patient's life. The replacement hormone therapies, include oral glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoid and adrenal androgen which assist with maintaining the symptoms.The three replacement therapy options available for oral glucocorticoids, consist of hydrocortisone, cortisone acetate and synthetic glucocorticoids. Hydrocortisone is the most popular treatment given to patients. Both