Addison Disease

**Definition:** An adrenal disease characterized by the progressive destruction of the ADRENAL CORTEX, resulting in insufficient production of ALDOSTERONE and HYDROCORTISONE. Clinical symptoms include ANOREXIA; NAUSEA; WEIGHT LOSS; MUSCLE WEAKNESS; and HYPERPIGMENTATION of the SKIN due to increase in circulating levels of ACTH precursor hormone which stimulates MELANOCYTES.

**Tree numbers:** - C19.053.500.263 - C20.111.163

**Synonyms:** - Addison's Disease - Primary Adrenal Insufficiency - Primary Adrenocortical Insufficiency - Primary Hypoadrenalism