Addison’s disease
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GC: n

S: NHS – http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Addisons-disease/Pages/Introduction.aspx (last access: 16 March 2017); MAYO – https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/addisons-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20350293 (last access: 11 January 2018).

N: 1. – Addison (pn): Thomas Addison, (born April 1793, Longbenton, Northumberland, Eng.—died June 29, 1860, Bristol, Gloucestershire), English physician after whom Addison’s.
– disease (n): A metabolic dysfunction caused by atrophy of the adrenal cortex, and Addison’s (pernicious) anemia were named. He was the first to correlate a set of disease symptoms with pathological changes in one of the endocrine glands.
disease (n): Early 14c., from Old French desaise (‘discomfort, inconvenience’), des- (“dis” = without, away’) + –aise (“ease” = physical comfort, undisturbed state of the body; tranquility, peace of mind’).

2. A disease caused by partial or total failure of adrenocortical function, which is characterized by a darkening of the skin and mucous membranes, anemia, weakness, and low blood pressure.

3. The story of ‘Addison’s disease’ begins with the adrenal glands, first described by Eustachius in 1714.

4. Addison’s disease occurs when the adrenal cortex is damaged and the adrenal glands do not produce enough of the steroid hormones cortisol and aldosterone.

5. Cultural Interrelation:

  • Reality: We can mention, among other famous people had, for example, United States president John F. Kennedy (1917-1963) or Usama bin Mohammed bin Awad bin Laden (1957-2011).
  • Fiction: Mentioned in several episodes of House M. D., as episode 12 (season 1), episode 1 (season 3), episode 12 (season 4) and episode 15 (season 4).

S: 1. EncBrit – http://www.goo.gl/55U9pe (last access: 16 March 2017); Etymonline – http://www.goo.gl/NwSTnL; http://www.goo.gl/YwGHxZ (last access: 17 March 2017). 2. TFD – http://www.goo.gl/vasnD7 (last access: 16 March 2017). 3. NCBI – http://www.goo.gl/mQLXfb (last access: 16 March 2017). 4. HLN – http://www.goo.gl/jBjChs (last access: 16 March 2017). 5. BBC – http://www.goo.gl/zmP1ac (last access: 16 March 2017); TMH p. 63.

SYN: adrenal insufficiency

S: MAYO – http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/addisons-disease/home/ovc-20155636 (last access: 16 March 2017)

CR: anorexia, asthenia, cortisol, tuberculosis.