The adrenal glands produce hormones, like adrenaline, in response to stress. They also provide the kidneys a necessary hormone for filtering the blood, and they produce steroid hormones which help with the immune system, the metabolism, and sex-specific parts and functions.

Code 7911: Addison’s disease is a condition where the adrenal glands do not produce enough steroid hormones.

If this disease is caused by a tuberculosis infection, please see the Tuberculosis page.

For this code, a “crisis” occurs if arteries and veins in the limbs collapse and blood can no longer circulate throughout the limbs. This is accompanied by extremely low blood pressure and severe shock. Other symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, anorexia, dehydration, severe weakness, pain in the stomach, legs, and back, fever, and seriously limited brain functioning which could lead to coma and death.

Likewise, an “episode” is not as severe as a crisis. The arteries and veins do not collapse, but symptoms may include anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, weakness, low blood pressure, low blood sugar, and a slowing of mental functioning.

The ratings: If there were 4 or more crises during the past year, it is rated 60%. If there were 3 crises or 5 or more episodes during the past year, it is rated 40%. If there were 1 or 2 crises during the past year, 2 to 4 episodes during the past year, weakness and Fatigability, or if corticosteroids are required to control the condition, it is rated 20%.