Health encyclopaedia

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Causes of Addison's disease

Addison’s disease is the result of the destruction of the adrenal cortex.

In about 70% of cases Addison’s disease is an autoimmune condition. This means that the destruction is caused when the body’s own immune system attacks the adrenal cortex as if it were a foreign implant. The cortex becomes inflamed (swollen) and the outer layer shrinks.

The other 30% of cases are caused by infections such as tuberculosis, tumours or other diseases of the glands.

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