What can cause Addison's disease?

Answer 1

Thomas Addison first identified the disease in 1855 while working at Guy's Hospital in London. At that time, the main cause of the disease was as a complication of tuberculosis. TB still remains an important cause of Addison's in Third World countries. HIV (AIDS) is now becoming another significant infectious disease causing adrenal failure among third world population.

In more affluent countries, the most frequent cause of Addison's disease is destructive atrophy whereby an over-active immune system starts attacking the body's own organs; in this case, the adrenals. This accounts for around 70% of all cases and affects more women than men. In common with most other autoimmune diseases, the exact reason for the atrophy is unknown.

Other, much rarer causes of Addison's include certain fungal infections, adrenal cancer and adrenal haemorrhage (for example, following a car accident).

Answer 2

most common cause of Addison's disease is the destruction and/or shrinking (atrophy) of the adrenal cortex. In about 70% of all cases, this atrophy is believed to occur due to an autoimmune disorder