Liverpool academy graduate and under-18s coach Jay Spearing has been diagnosed with Addison's disease.
The sportsman was hospitalised over the Christmas period before his body "started to shut down". He said he was "potentially hours/days away from going into something called adrenal crisis".
After many more tests and observations, Spearing was diagnosed with Addison’s disease. In his health update, on Instagram, he said: "Thinking back, I have been ignoring symptoms and changes in my body for over a year without it being checked. If I didn’t get this checked when I did things could have turned out very differently."
READ MORE: Jay Spearing reveals disease diagnosis after Liverpool U18s coach spends Christmas in hospital
Addison's disease is a rare disorder of the adrenal glands. The adrenal gland is damaged in Addison's disease, so it does not produce enough cortisol or aldosterone.
According to the NHS website, about 9,000 people in the UK have Addison's disease, with over 300 new cases diagnosed each year. It can affect people of any age, although it's most common between the ages of 30 and 50. It's also more common in women than men.
The early stage symptoms of the disease are similar to other more common health conditions, such as clinical depression or flu. But here are the main symptoms you should look out for, and always get checked by a medical professional.
Symptoms of Addison's Disease
Initial symptoms of Addison's disease can include:
- overwhelming exhaustion and lack of energy
- loss of appetite and unintentional weight loss
- dizziness on standing
- low blood pressure (hypotension)
- patches of skin that are darker than the surrounding skin (hyperpigmentation)
- craving salty foods
- feeling and being sick
- muscle weakness with cramps
- abdominal pain
- abnormal drowsiness or tiredness (lethargy)
- low mood (mild clinical depression ) or irritability
- a frequent need to pee
- increased thirst
- difficulty concentrating
- headaches
- a higher temperature than normal
Over time, these problems may become more severe and you may experience further symptoms, such as dizziness, fainting, cramps and exhaustion. You may also develop small areas of darkened skin, or darkened lips or gums.
If you're experiencing symptoms of Addison's disease, see a GP so they can diagnose or rule out the condition. These symptoms will usually improve with appropriate treatment.
Signs of Adrenal Crisis
According to the NHS website, if the levels of hormones produced by the adrenal gland become too low it can lead to a life-threatening situation known as an adrenal or Addisonian crisis. This can be triggered by severe physical stress like having an operation or having another illness like an infection.
During an adrenal crisis, the symptoms of Addison's disease appear quickly and are severe. This could happen when you're already experiencing initial symptoms or without any symptoms at all.
Signs of an adrenal crisis include:
- severe dehydration
- pale, cold, clammy skin
- sweating
- rapid, shallow breathing
- dizziness
- low blood pressure (hypotension)
- severe vomiting and diarrhoea
- abdominal pain or pain in the side
- fatigue and severe muscle weakness
- headache
- severe drowsiness or loss of consciousness
If you think you or someone you know with Addison's disease is having an adrenal crisis, they will need a hydrocortisone injection immediately, either injected by themselves or by a person who is with them. Then call 999 for an ambulance, saying it's an "adrenal crisis" or "Addisonian crisis".
If an adrenal crisis is not treated, it can lead to a coma and death. There's also a risk your brain will not get enough oxygen if treatment is delayed, which can cause permanent disability.
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