Though its diagnosis is very rare, being stricken with Addison’s disease does not have to mean that one’s quality of life will suffer. With proper maintenance and monitoring, people afflicted with its symptoms can expect to live long, healthy lives despite their condition. Part of a maintenance program for this condition should involve natural cures and home remedies for Addison’s disease, which have been used as complementary treatments to traditional medical in the past.
To learn more about natural cures for Addison’s disease, it is best to begin with a basic understanding of what it is, how it is caused and what symptoms it presents.
Addison’s disease, also known as adrenal insufficiency or hypocortisolism, is an endocrine or hormonal disorder. It is present whenever the adrenal glands are malfunctioning and aren’t producing enough of the cortisol or aldosterone hormones.
When the adrenal glands are damaged, the production of cortisol and aldosterone are both prone to suffer with the end result being Addison’s disease.
Cortisol is the hormone needed to assist in managing stress, balancing insulin, regulating blood pressure, metabolizing proteins, carbs, and fat. It also works as a natural anti-inflammatory.
The aldosterone hormone is also needed to regulate blood pressure, salt, and water in the body. An inadequate supply of aldosterone reduces blood pressure, as well as the amount of blood that is circulated throughout the body. A lack of aldosterone further prohibits proper functioning of the kidneys.
In some people, a surgical loss of the adrenal glands causes Addison’s disease. For others, one the following conditions which damage the adrenal glands is the most common cause:
- Genetics
- Chronic infection
- Cancer
- Tuberculosis
- Severe shock
- HIV
- Certain medications (such as blood thinners)
- Radiation treatments
- Pregnancy and/or childbirth (in very rare cases)
The symptoms of Addison’s disease develop over a period of time so they may not all appear at once. A few that are presented throughout the disease’s progression are:
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Dizziness upon standing
- Abdominal pain
- Suspended menstrual cycles
- Dehydration
- Increased potassium in the blood
- Decreased sodium levels in the blood
- Low blood pressure
- Skin discoloration
- Depression
Because the symptoms of Addison’s disease are not always immediately recognized or treated, it can progress to a critical stage known as an Addisonian crises, which is identifiable by the following symptoms:
- Irregular heartbeats
- Kidney failure
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Extreme pain (primarily in the back and abdomen)
- Extreme drop in blood pressure
- Loss of consciousness
Home remedies for Addison’s disease can be used as complementary components to traditional medical treatments. Such natural cures for Addison’s disease include:
- Acupuncture
- Meditation
- Yoga
- Tai Chi
Some specific herbal remedies for Addison’s disease include:
- Siberian ginseng
- Siberian ginger
- Borage
- Huang qi
Natural cures for Addison’s disease are safe and completely natural. However, when using herbal remedies for Addison’s disease, it is particularly important that anyone taking prescribed medications consult with their physician first as some herbs may not interact well with synthetic drugs.
