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Adrenal crisis; Addisonian crisis; Acute adrenal insufficiency
If you have Addison's disease, you should learn to recognize signs of potential stress that may cause an acute adrenal crisis. Most people with Addison's disease are taught to give themselves an emergency injection of hydrocortisone or increase their dose of oral prednisone in times of stress.
It is important to always carry a medical identification card that states the type of medication and the proper dose you need in case of an emergency.
Never miss your medications.
Also, your health care provider may advise you to always wear a MedicAlert tag. This tag lets health care professionals know about your condition in case of emergency.
Stewart PM. The adrenal cortex. In: Kronenberg H, Melmed S, Polonsky K, Larsen PR, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2008:chap 14.
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