One out of every 100,000 people suffers from Addison's disease! What is it? This is a condition that results from the failure of Adrenal glands to produce sufficient hormones.

These hormones (cortisol and Aldosterone) have a very important role to play in maintaining good health. Their major functions are to:

Help the body to respond to stress

Control immune system's inflammatory response

Normalize the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates and fats

Regulate blood pressure

Adjust water and salt balance in the body

Since these functions are very vital to maintain the normal economy of the body, deficiency of these hormones has a significant impact on the health.

Addison's disease is characterized by weight loss, muscle weakness, fatigue, low blood pressure, and darkening of the skin in exposed as well as non-exposed parts of the body.

This condition can occur at any age though it is more common between 30 to 50 years of age. It affects males and females equally. Addison's disease can be life threatening and hence warrants prompt diagnosis and treatment.