What is Addison’s disease? The debilitating disease revealed to be the cause of TikTok star Taylor Rousseau Grigg’s death

TikToker Taylor Rousseau Grigg died last week from complications of a one-in-100,000 hormonal disease, her family revealed.

It was determined that the 25-year-old’s “sudden and unexpected” death was due to Addison’s disease, a rare autoimmune disease in which the body does not produce enough hormones responsible for metabolism, stress and body health. immune system.

The influencer, who also suffered from asthma, told her TikTok audience that she felt like she was “fighting for my life” after battling a mystery illness for years.

The condition develops slowly, making it difficult to recognize it early. It is unclear what complications Ms Grigg has experienced, but the condition can lead to organ damage if left untreated.

Read on for everything you need to know about Addison’s disease:

The 25-year-old influencer had been suffering from a mysterious illness for over a year before her death; seen with husband Cameron Grigg

What is Addison’s disease?

Addison’s disease, also called adrenal insufficiency, is a condition in which the body’s adrenal glands do not produce enough of the hormones cortisol and aldosterone.

The adrenal glands are located on top of both kidneys and are responsible for controlling hormones that regulate metabolism, immune health, blood pressure and the stress response.

Cortisol is known as the ‘stress hormone’ because it increases blood pressure and heart rate to put the body in ‘fight or flight mode’ and increases blood sugar levels to provide energy.

Aldosterone, meanwhile, regulates blood pressure and sodium and potassium levels in the blood.

If the body cannot produce enough of these hormones, the body can enter an adrenal crisis, also called an Addison’s crisis. This causes shock, which prevents blood flow to vital organs and can lead to death.

What causes Addison’s disease?

Addison’s disease occurs when the immune system begins to attack the adrenal glands.

Historically, tuberculosis was the main culprit and remains the case in developing countries.

Infections such as HIV, adrenal gland bleeding, and cancer can also increase the risk of developing Addison’s disease.

How common is it?

Addison’s disease affects approximately one in 100,000 Americans.

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the condition most often affects women between the ages of 30 and 50, although it can occur at any age.

In addition to Grigg, the disease also affected President John F Kennedy. He was diagnosed with the condition in 1947 at the age of 30.

What are the symptoms?

Grigg is pictured on March 16 when she had to be hospitalized and put on a ventilator

Although Addison’s disease is treatable with hormone replacement therapy, it can lead to organ damage. Mrs Grigg is pictured here in hospital months before her death

Because damage to the adrenal glands tends to occur slowly over time, symptoms develop gradually. Stress, such as injury or illness, can make symptoms worse.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, steadily worsening fatigue is the most common symptom, followed by patches of dark skin called hyperpigmentation.

Patients may also experience abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, muscle pain and dehydration.

Cleveland Clinic also notes that patients may crave salty foods or have low blood pressure and low blood sugar.

Women may also have irregular periods, lose body hair, or notice an irregular sex drive.

If a patient goes into adrenal crisis, they may experience extreme weakness, severe pain in the lower back and legs, restlessness, confusion, severe vomiting and diarrhea, and loss of consciousness.

How is Addison’s disease diagnosed?

Cameron Grigg (pictured here) announced his wife’s death on Saturday and revealed she would donate her organs

Because symptoms develop gradually, patients may receive a delayed diagnosis.

It can also be discovered through routine blood tests that show low sodium and potassium levels due to a deficiency of cortisol and aldosterone.

In addition to blood tests, doctors may perform an ACTH stimulation test, which measures how the adrenal glands respond to an artificial dose of cortisol and aldosterone.

If the adrenal glands produce only low levels of the hormones after the injection, this may indicate Addison’s disease.

A CT scan can also show damage to the adrenal glands.

How is Addison’s disease treated?

Addison’s disease is usually treated with lifelong hormone replacement therapy to help the body produce enough cortisol and aldosterone.

Doctors may also recommend adding more salt to your diet due to low sodium levels in the blood.

Can Addison’s disease be prevented?

There is no way to prevent Addison’s disease.