Open AccessA Patient with a Sudden Onset of Oral Pigmentation
Author(s) -
Jack Botros,
Firoozeh Samim
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
dental research and management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2572-6978
DOI - 10.33805/2572-6978.147
Subject(s) - hyperpigmentation , vomiting , medicine , nausea , anorexia , disease , adrenal insufficiency , mineralocorticoid , endocrine system , endocrine disease , hypoglycemia , dermatology , hormone , endocrinology , aldosterone , diabetes mellitus
Addison's disease or primary adrenal insufficiency (hypoadrenocorticism) is an endocrine disease characterized by a deficiency in the production of the adrenal cortex hormones, particularly cortisol and aldosterone. Patients affected by Addison's disease develop anorexia, weight loss, hypoglycemia, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, skin, and mucosal pigmentation. Skin pigmentation is considered a commonly encountered manifestation of the disease; however, oral mucous membrane pigmentation is rarely noticed early enough for diagnosis. This case report demonstrates a case where oral pigmentation was an early diagnostic sign of Addison's disease.