Addison's Disease Discharge Instructions

reaction during stress

Blood pressure and fluid control

The body's response to infections

How sugar is handled

Addison's disease is a long-term illness. The adrenal glands are damaged and do not make enough hormones. ‚
Treatment involves replacing the missing hormones. ‚

What care is needed at home?

Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
Take all the drugs ordered by your doctor. You will need to take hormones for the rest of your life. This is to replace what your body cannot make anymore.
Talk to your doctor about stressful times like surgery or serious illnesses. You may need to take more hormones during these times.
Tell your family and friends about your illness and how they can help.
Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water each day.
Always wear your medical alert bracelet or necklace. This will let people know that you have this illness. Letting people know may help during emergencies.
Learn to take your blood pressure and sugar levels at home. Your doctor will teach you the proper way to do this.

What follow-up care is needed?

Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
Your doctor will tell you if other tests are needed.
Your doctor may send you to a hormone expert called an endocrinologist.

What drugs may be needed?

The doctor may order drugs to: ‚

Replace missing hormones
Add to your salt level
Help with vitamin and mineral stores in your body

Will physical activity be limited?

There are no physical limits. When very active and doing a lot of exercise, you may need to take extra salt. ‚

What changes to diet are needed?

There are some changes to your diet that will help. Most often, a diet high in salt and protein and low in potassium is needed. Talk to a dietitian to get more details. ‚

What problems could happen?

You are not given enough hormones to meet your bodys needs ‚

What can be done to prevent this health problem?

There is nothing that could be done to prevent this illness. ‚

When do I need to call the doctor?

Signs of fluid loss. These include dark-colored urine or no urine for more than 8 hours, dry mouth and tongue, dry skin, sunken eyes, lack of energy, feeling faint, or passing out.
Signs of low blood sugar. These include anger, shaking, a fast heartbeat, confusion, or sweating. Keep hard candies, glucose tablets, liquid glucose, or juice on hand for low blood sugar.
Dizziness
Low blood pressure
Severe weight loss
Very bad upset stomach and throwing up
Belly pain
Feeling very tired and weak
If you are going to have surgery or have a serious illness
If you plan on getting pregnant or get pregnant
You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse

Helpful tips

Join a support group. People who have the same illness may help you cope with your illness.
You can have an active healthy life as long as you take your hormone replacement drugs.
Carry your health information card when you travel. Also carry supplies for an emergency.

Teach Back: Helping You Understand

The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚

I can tell you about my condition.
I can tell you how long I will need to take hormones and how stress affects my hormones.
I can tell you the signs of fluid loss and what I will do if I have them.
I can tell you the signs of low blood sugar and what I will do if I have them.

Where can I learn more?

Addisons Disease Self Help Group ‚
http://www.addisons.org.uk/info/addisons/page1.html ‚
National Adrenal Diseases Foundation ‚
http://www.nadf.us/diseases/addisons.htm ‚
National Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Information Service ‚
http://endocrine.niddk.nih.gov/pubs/addison/addison.aspx ‚
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence ‚
http://www.cks.nhs.uk/addisons_disease/background_information/complications#-450024 ‚
National Organization of Rare Disorders ‚
http://www.rarediseases.org/rare-disease-information/rare-diseases/byID/46/viewAbstract ‚

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚

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