Addison's disease refers to the prolonged inadequate functioning of the adrenal cortex. Medically, this is known as chronic adrenal insufficiency. Various factors can harm the adrenal glands, including physical damage, inflammation, and the destruction of cells responsible for producing ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone), which normally stimulates the adrenal glands. Symptoms of Addison's disease include skin darkening, fatigue, and weakness. It is believed that U.S. President John F. Kennedy had this condition. The disease was named after Thomas Addison, a British physician who first identified adrenal insufficiency in 1849. At that time, tuberculosis (TB) caused 70-90% of the cases. With advancements in TB treatment, the number of cases due to adrenal TB has significantly decreased, now representing about 20% of primary adrenal insufficiency cases in developed nations.
