Addison’s disease is treated with medication to replace the missing hormones. You’ll need to take the medication for the rest of your life. With treatment, symptoms of Addison’s disease can largely be controlled. . If left untreated, it can be fatal. Addison’s disease can be difficult to detect at first, because early symptoms are similar to symptoms of many other health conditions. If Addison’s disease is left untreated, the levels of hormones produced by the adrenal gland gradually decrease in the body. People with Addison’s disease must be constantly aware of the risk of a sudden worsening of symptoms, called an adrenal crisis. This can happen when the levels of cortisol in your body fall significantly. An adrenal crisis is a medical emergency. If an adrenal crisis isn’t treated, it can lead to coma and death. There’s also a risk your brain won’t get enough oxygen if treatment is delayed, which can cause permanent disability Addison’s disease develops when the outer layer of your adrenal glands (your adrenal cortex) is damaged, reducing the levels of hormones it produces.
.
