When Addison's disease is the result of a problem with the adrenal glands themselves, it is called primary adrenal insufficiency. About 70% of the time, this happens because the body's self-defence mechanism-the immune system-mistakenly attacks the adrenal glands.
http://www.webmd.boots.com/a-to-z-guides/addisons-disease-symptoms
When Addison's disease is the result of a problem with the adrenal glands themselves (primary adrenal insufficiency), the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the adrenal glands. This autoimmune assault destroys the outer layer of the glands.
http://answers.webmd.com/answers/1178904/what-causes-addison-disease
1 Addison's disease, also called adrenal insufficiency, or hypocortisolism, occurs when the adrenal glands do not produce enough of the hormone cortisol and, in some cases, the hormone aldosterone.
http://www.medicinenet.com/addison_disease/article.htm
Overview. Addison’s disease occurs when the adrenal cortex is damaged and the adrenal glands do not produce enough steroid hormones called cortisol and aldosterone. Cortisol regulates the body’s reaction to stressful situations. Aldosterone helps with sodium and potassium regulation.
http://www.healthline.com/health/addisons-disease
When Addison's disease is the result of a problem with the adrenal glands themselves (primary adrenal insufficiency), the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the adrenal glands.
http://answers.webmd.com/answers/1178904/what-causes-addison-disease
Long-lasting infections -- such as tuberculosis, HIV, and some fungal infections -- can harm the adrenal glands. Cancer cells that spread from other parts of the body to the adrenal glands also can cause Addison's disease.
http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/understanding-addisons-disease-basics
A. When Addison's disease is the result of a problem with the adrenal glands themselves (primary adrenal insufficiency), the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the adrenal glands. This autoimmune assault destroys the outer layer of the glands. This happens in 70% of Addison cases.
http://answers.webmd.com/answers/1178904/what-causes-addison-disease
In Addison's disease, the adrenal glands don't make enough of a hormone called cortisol, or less often, a related hormone called aldosterone. That's why doctors sometimes call the illness ''chronic adrenal insufficiency,'' or hypocortisolism. Cortisol's most important function is to help the body respond to stress.
http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/understanding-addisons-disease-basics
In Addison's disease, the adrenal glands don't make enough of a hormone called cortisol, or less often, a related hormone called aldosterone. That's why doctors sometimes call the illness ''chronic adrenal insufficiency,'' or hypocortisolism.
http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/understanding-addisons-disease-basics
With Addison’s disease, the immune system attacks the outer portion of the adrenal glands (the cortex), where cortisol and aldosterone are made. Other causes of Addison’s disease include: 1  injury to the adrenal glands. 2  infection, including tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS-related infections, and fungal infections.
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases_conditions/hic-addisons-disease
causes of addisons disease
Primary adrenal insufficiency causes addisons disease. Adrenal glands themselves and the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the adrenal glands are the causes of Addison's disease.