Addison's disease, also known as primary adrenal insufficiency, is a disorder of the adrenal glands. People with this condition produce too little of the hormone cortisol, which helps regulate blood pressure, the immune system, and other body functions. Stress can worsen the symptoms of Addison's disease and make it difficult to manage.
What Is Addison's Disease?
Addison's disease is an autoimmune disorder in which the body's immune system attacks the adrenal glands, resulting in an insufficient production of hormones. The two main hormones produced by the adrenal glands are cortisol and aldosterone. Cortisol helps to regulate blood pressure, the immune system, and other body functions while aldosterone helps to regulate the body's salt levels. People with Addison's disease will have too little of both hormones, resulting in a variety of symptoms.
How Does Stress Affect Addison's Disease?
Stress can worsen the symptoms of Addison's disease. When a person is stressed, their body releases hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol, which can further reduce the body's production of cortisol and aldosterone. This can lead to a worsening of the symptoms of Addison's disease, such as fatigue, weakness, low blood pressure, and nausea.
Stress can also make it difficult to manage the symptoms of Addison's disease. When a person is stressed, they may not be able to focus on their health and may not remember to take their medications regularly. This can lead to an increase in the severity of their symptoms and an overall decline in their health.
How Can Stress Be Managed?
There are a number of ways to manage stress and help manage the symptoms of Addison's disease. It is important to find healthy ways to cope with stress, such as exercise, deep breathing, and relaxation techniques. It is also important to get enough sleep and to eat a balanced diet.
It is also important to talk to your doctor about your stress levels and any concerns you may have about managing your Addison's disease. Your doctor may be able to recommend medications or lifestyle changes that can help reduce your stress levels and make it easier to manage your Addison's disease.