Hi, I'm Dr. Steven Hausman of Hausman Technology Keynotes. And I will be speaking with you about adrenal supplements. The adrenal glands are located on the top of each kidney. They produce essential hormones that include cortisol and aldosterone. Aldosterone regulates the right amount of salt, potassium and water in the body. Cortisol has many important functions such as helping the body utilize protein and sugar and enabling the body to respond to stress like illness or surgery. Adrenal gland disorders which can be caused by genetic mutations, tumors or infections can result in either not enough or too much hormone being produced. Addison's disease also known as adrenal insufficiency can be fatal and happens when your immune system damages the adrenal glands, and you cannot produce enough hormone. It can affect men and women of all ages. Addison's disease can also be caused by the surgical removal of the pituitary gland or the adrenal glands usually for treatment for a tumor. Symptoms of Addison's disease include weight loss, muscle weakness, worsening levels of fatigue, low blood pressure, sweating and darkening of the skin. Treatment consists of replacing the hormones that the adrenal glands are not making. Cortisol can be replaced by oral synthetic substitutes. and this treatment must be continued for the rest of the patient's life. However the drug dosage might have to increased temporarily, if you're sick with a fever, infection or vomiting. There are almost no side effects from this medication.