Addison disease
Background
Addison disease, first described in 1849 by Dr T Addison, is a rare condition which is due to the destruction of the adrenal cortex leading to a deficiency or absence of cortisol and other adrenal hormones. The symptoms are due to the failure of the production of cortical hormones, which are responsible for the rate at which sugar is made available to the tissues of the body, and the amount of salt lost from the body.