It occurs due to a severe or total deficiency of one or more of the hormones made by the adrenal glands. Your adrenal glands are located just above your kidneys. The outer portion or cortex of each adrenal gland produces hormones called cortisol and aldosterone. Cortisol has hundreds of effects on the body. Its most important job is to help the body respond to stress.
Aldosterone is involved in maintaining blood pressure as well as water and salt balance in the body.
It does this by helping the kidneys retain sodium and excrete potassium. A deficiency of aldosterone causes blood volume and blood pressure in the body to drop. Addison's disease can be either primary or secondary. Primary adrenal insufficiency is the result of gradual destruction of the adrenal cortex. About 70 percent of cases are due to an autoimmune process.