Diseases and Conditions Feature

Visual Signs of Poor Health That Should Not Be Ignored

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Sunless Tan

If your skin is starting to darken and you haven’t been spending time in the sun, it may be worth reporting to your doctor. While hyperpigmentation is a common, and usually harmless condition, it could be caused by a rare condition called Addison’s disease. Addison’s disease is an endocrine disorder in which the adrenal glands do not produce enough cortisol. Other early symptoms of Addison’s disease include abdominal pain, weakness and weight loss.

If left untreated Addison’s disease can be life threatening, as a lack of cortisol can lead to extremely low blood pressure, vomiting, seizure and loss of consciousness.