Stimulus Response Model

The human body is an extremely complex system made up of many different components. In order for it to function at its highest level, measures of protection to both the internal and external environments needs to take place if the body is to survive. This process is called homeostasis. Although homeostasis is able to play its role in the human body for the majority of the time, in some circumstances it is unable to function properly due to either internal or external factor effecting one or more facets of the stimulus response model. Addison’s disease effects the adrenal glands and cuts the supply of cortisol being produced within the adrenal cortex. The adrenal glands are a major part of the endocrine system and without them functioning correctly,

They are the primary adrenal insufficiency and the secondary adrenal insufficiency. The primary adrenal insufficiency involves a major dysfunction in the adrenal cortex or the pituitary gland. The first type of Primary Adrenal Insufficiency only effects the adrenal glands and is known as Idiopathic Adrenal insufficiency. The second type known as Polyendocrine deficiency occurs when the adrenal cortex and pituitary gland are not producing the hormone ACTH that is vital to the creating of cortisol and the health and function of the adrenal glands. Cortisol is essential to the everyday life of any person and consequences of the lack of cortisol can be life threatening. Because of the lack of cortisol, blood pressure levels deviate and cardio vascular function become weakened, the system inflammatory response system becomes hyperactive and can cause extreme swelling to any sort of foreign chemical exposed to the body. Other lesson common causes of primary adrenal insufficiency range from chronic infections, fungal infections and cancer spreading into the adrenal glands. The second type of Polyendocrine deficiency syndrome also known as Schmidt’s syndrome affects all ages and genders however, it is most commonly found in young adults. . All treatments of Addison’s or similar deviations of it require hormone replacement of cortisol, which is produced by the inactive adrenal

Although a number of highly effective treatments are available for Addison’s, no known cure is available. Oral corticosteroids are the most commonly used treatments among patients and they involve the replacement of cortisol in in the form of a tablet such as prednisone, hydrocortisone and cortisone acetate. Although these treatments are proven effective, some side effects of medication such as prednisone deliver nausea and vomiting to name a few. Whilst these treatments may work in most cases, alternate medication is available to reduce and dampen the effects of Addison’s disease. If the patient is suffering a gastrointestinal virus such as vomiting or diarrhoea at the time of Addison’s disease effecting the body, Corticosteroid injections can be used for patients that cannot keep the cortisol tablets down to retain the effects of oral treatments. In this situation, it is highly recommended that large amounts of sodium is to be taken especially if the recipient is suffering severely from the effects of gastro induced sicknesses. In extreme cases, dosage may be required to increase. Provided a wide range of treatments are available for Addison’s disease, a large number of diagnosis methods are available so treatment can begin to make the best quality of life possible for the patient of Addison’s disease. Diagnosis ranges from blood tests which can inspect the