Research topic: Addisons disease

Addison's disease [for Thomas Addison ], progressive disease brought about by atrophy of the outer layer, or cortex, of the adrenal gland ; it is also called chronic adrenocortical insufficiency. The deterioration of this tissue causes a decrease in the secretion of steroid hormones, many of which are necessary for the maintenance of life. In many cases the cause of the wasting process is not known; in others the predominant cause is the formation and infiltration of tumors, inflammatory disease, or surgery. Symptoms are increasing weakness, abnormal pigmentation of the skin and mucous... Read more