A sudden collapse. An unexplained, extreme fatigue. These are not just symptoms of a long workday or stress from daily life but could be an indication of something more serious and debilitating. For 25-year-old TikTok influencer Taylor Rousseau Grigg, they were signs of something far more serious—a life-threatening autoimmune condition that led to her unexpected death. Diagnosed with Addison's disease, a rare disorder that slowly damages the adrenal glands, Taylor’s struggle with the illness highlights how challenging it can be to detect and manage a condition that impacts your hormones and energy levels. For many people, this disease remains undiagnosed for months, or even years, often until it has already caused significant harm.

But what exactly is Addison's disease, and why is it so often overlooked? While it’s a rare condition, the potential for long-term damage—especially if left untreated—should not be underestimated. In this article, we dive deep into the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment options available for Addison's disease. Could you be at risk without even knowing it? Read on to find out how to spot the signs and take proactive steps toward managing this rare but dangerous condition.

What is Addison’s Disease?

Addison’s disease is a chronic condition that stems from insufficient hormone production in the adrenal glands. These small, triangular glands, located above your kidneys, are responsible for producing hormones like cortisol and aldosterone, which play crucial roles in regulating metabolism, stress response, immune function, and even blood pressure. When these hormones are not produced in adequate amounts, the body’s ability to handle stress, maintain normal blood pressure, and regulate blood sugar levels becomes compromised.

In its early stages, Addison’s disease is often subtle, manifesting as mild fatigue, muscle pain, and skin discoloration. However, as the disease progresses, the lack of essential hormones can lead to severe health complications. It’s the slow onset of these symptoms that makes Addison's disease difficult to diagnose—patients often attribute their tiredness and discomfort to more common issues like stress or overwork.

Symptoms of Addison’s Disease

The initial signs of Addison’s disease can be easily mistaken for other conditions, making it one of the trickier disorders to identify. Here are some of the most common symptoms to be aware of:

Steadily Worsening Fatigue: If you feel drained no matter how much rest you get, it could be more than just burnout. This fatigue doesn't go away with a good night's sleep.

Hyperpigmentation: One of the hallmarks of Addison’s disease is the darkening of certain skin areas—especially scars, skin folds, and gums. The condition is sometimes mistaken for sun exposure or other dermatological conditions.

Abdominal Distress: Nausea, vomiting, and unexplained weight loss are frequent early signs. If you notice gastrointestinal issues coupled with chronic tiredness, it’s worth considering further testing.

Craving Salt: A sudden and intense craving for salty foods is another symptom due to the imbalance in sodium and potassium levels. Your body craves salt as a way to compensate for adrenal insufficiency.

These symptoms are often mistaken for something much more benign, but they can signal the onset of a life-threatening condition. If left untreated, the body’s inability to manage stress effectively could result in an Addisonian crisis—a severe medical emergency that can cause shock and even death.

What Causes Addison’s Disease?

Addison's disease primarily occurs due to an autoimmune reaction where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks and damages the adrenal glands. This often happens slowly, and symptoms may not appear until around 90% of the gland is damaged. In autoimmune cases, the immune system targets the adrenal cortex, the part of the gland responsible for producing vital hormones like cortisol and aldosterone.

While autoimmune issues account for the majority of Addison's cases, there are other causes. For example, tuberculosis (TB) was once a leading cause, especially in developing countries. Today, certain infections, cancer metastasis to the adrenal glands, and even surgeries that remove parts of the adrenal glands can also lead to this condition.

Additionally, those with autoimmune conditions such as Type 1 diabetes, vitiligo, or thyroid disorders (like Graves' disease) are at a higher risk. Addison's disease often develops in people who have another autoimmune disorder, making it part of a broader spectrum of diseases linked to immune system dysfunction.

Diagnosing Addison's Disease

Due to the slow progression of symptoms, many people with Addison's disease go undiagnosed for a long time. A routine blood test might reveal abnormal levels of sodium or potassium, prompting further investigation into the underlying cause. Skin pigmentation changes—especially around scars, creases, or the gums—can also signal Addison's disease and should be considered during diagnosis.

To confirm the condition, doctors will perform tests that assess hormone levels in the blood. An ACTH stimulation test, which measures how well the adrenal glands respond to stress, is commonly used to diagnose Addison’s disease. If the glands aren’t producing cortisol as expected, the diagnosis is typically confirmed.

Treatment for Addison's disease

While Addison's disease cannot be cured, it can be effectively managed with medication. The primary treatment involves replacing the hormones that the adrenal glands are no longer producing, particularly cortisol and aldosterone.

Cortisol Replacement: Hydrocortisone is the synthetic version of cortisol used to manage this deficiency. The dosage varies depending on individual needs and stress factors.

Aldosterone Replacement: Fludrocortisone helps replace aldosterone to maintain sodium and potassium balance, crucial for blood pressure regulation.

In addition to medication, people with Addison's disease must monitor their health closely and adjust their hormone levels during times of illness, stress, or surgery. This may require increasing their medication dosage temporarily. Lifestyle changes, such as staying hydrated and maintaining a healthy diet with adequate salt intake, also play an essential role in managing the disease.

Addison's disease may be rare, but its impact can be severe if left untreated. Early detection is key to managing the disease and preventing life-threatening crises. If you experience unexplained fatigue, digestive issues, or unusual skin pigmentation, consult a healthcare provider. With the right care, individuals with Addison's disease can live long, healthy lives despite the challenges they face.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment options.

A 59-year-old woman came in for a follow-up visit for her shingles. During her appointment, she mentioned a small detail: she'd been feeling some skipped heartbeats, and her heart rate was a bit jumpy.

The woman had some preexisting health issues like being overweight, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and prediabetes. Her comment about the jumpy heartbeat caught the attention of the doctor.

These small complaints led her doctor to do a more detailed check-up. An EKG, a test that checks the heart's electrical activity, revealed some key signs. The results showed that she had already suffered a heart attack, even though she hadn't felt it.

This was a 2023 case study published in the Cureus, doctors call this a "silent heart attack," or silent myocardial infarction (SMI). Unlike a typical heart attack, a silent one has no symptoms or only very mild ones, so people don't realize what's happening and don't get medical help. These cases are often discovered by chance during a routine check-up.

While you may not have heard of such cases before, they are not as uncommon as you may think they are. According to American Heart Association, of the estimated 805,000 heart attacks each year in US, 170,000 of them are silent heart attacks.

As the name suggests, these attacks are difficult to recognize but not impossible. We spoke to consultant interventional cardiologists Pankaj Vinod Jariwala of Yashoda Hospitals and Dr. P Praveen Kumar of Karpagam Hospital Dr. Krunal Tamakuwala KD Hospital, to understand more about it.

Who Is At Risk for Silent Heart Attacks?

Silent heart attacks are becoming more common, and they aren't just affecting older men. Doctors are now seeing them in people as young as their late 30s and early 40s, especially those with high-stress jobs. Dr Jariwala said, “They mistake early signs for lifestyle issues: acidity after a heavy dinner, shoulder pain from sitting at a laptop, or tiredness from long hours.”

As Dr. Krunal Tamakuwala points out, the real danger is not that these heart attacks are completely "symptomless," but that their symptoms are so common that they are easily ignored. By the time a person finally sees a doctor, their heart may already be seriously damaged. “Sometimes, it arrives silently, hidden behind complaints we consider minor. That is why doctors urge patients not to ignore symptoms that linger or feel unusual, even if they seem harmless at first.” explained Dr Tamakuwala

What Are The Symptoms Of Silent Heart Attacks?

Many people mistake the early signs of a silent heart attack for everyday issues. Symptoms like

• Acidity
• Shoulder pain
• Tiredness

These are often brushed off as normal problems from a busy lifestyle. In places like India, people tend to make the problem worse by self-medicating with antacids or painkillers, which only delays getting proper medical help.

The reason these heart attacks are so confusing is due to something called referred pain. According to Dr. P Praveen Kumar, the nerves that carry pain signals from the heart are the same ones that connect to the stomach, back, and shoulders. This means that a problem with your heart can cause discomfort in another part of your body.

For people with diabetes, the situation is even more complicated. They may not feel the classic chest pain at all because their nerve sensitivity is reduced. For them, a silent heart attack might feel like

• Simple bloating
• Indigestion
• A dull backache.

The key is to remember that not all heart attacks announce themselves with a dramatic crushing pain. Dr Praveen warns, “f these symptoms are joined by sweating, breathlessness, or dizziness, you should seek medical help immediately.”

Doctors emphasize that lifestyle choices are key to keeping your heart healthy. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, quitting smoking, and managing stress are no longer optional, especially in countries like India, where heart disease is affecting younger people. “Everyday aches may feel ordinary, but when it comes to the heart, they could be the difference between early intervention and irreversible damage.”

If you’re someone who loves walking fast and maybe even got teased for it, here’s some good news. A research team from the Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy at the LKS Faculty of Medicine, University of Hong Kong (HKUMed), has found a strong link between walking speed and cancer risk. According to their study, people who walk at a faster pace have a significantly lower risk of developing cancer, especially lung cancer.

Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, with nearly 20 million new cases each year. The American Cancer Society already recommends regular physical activity and strength training to help reduce cancer risk. Walking, being the most accessible form of exercise, has long been at the center of these efforts and now, speed may matter too.

How Walking Fast Can Reduce Cancer Risks

According to Professor Cheung Ching-lung, Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy at HKUMed, walking speed is a quick and reliable measure of physical function. It has long been linked to age-related conditions such as cardiovascular disease, dementia, and even overall mortality.

Recent evidence suggests skeletal muscle may help regulate inflammatory and metabolic pathways, which could explain the biological connection between walking speed and cancer risk. To explore this further, researchers at HKUMed examined the relationship using two approaches: self-reported walking pace among participants in the U.K., and a timed six-meter walking test in Hong Kong.

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The results were striking. Fast walkers in the U.K. showed a 13% lower overall risk of cancer, while participants in Hong Kong recorded a 45% decrease. The most dramatic effect was seen in lung cancer, where the risk dropped by as much as 53%. This points to faster walking as a potential way to protect the respiratory system and lower cancer risk.

“Walking speed may be an important marker of physiological resilience linked to cancer risk,” said Professor Cheung. “The lower levels of inflammation and healthier lipid profiles observed among fast walkers support the idea that they are in better overall health. This makes walking speed a simple yet effective tool for assessing health status.”

Brisk Walking Health Benefits

Walking offers a wide range of health benefits, and it is not limited to improving lung function. It also plays a key role in supporting heart health. Contrary to the popular belief that 10,000 steps a day are essential, research shows you can gain significant health benefits with fewer steps. Studies suggest that even 7,000 steps per day can reduce health risks, while as few as 3,867 steps may lower the risk of death. The message is clear: every step counts. Adding even 1,000 more steps than your usual routine is a practical way to begin.

ALSO READ: 5 Heart Attack Warning Signs Women Often Overlook, Blaming Menopause

Other than that, as per Mayo Clinic, Brisk Walking also has other benefits:

Brisk walking supports heart health, uplifts mood, aids weight management, and lowers the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes, cancer, and stroke. It also strengthens bones and muscles, improves balance, boosts energy and immunity, and sharpens memory and focus.

In his new autobiography Heartbeats, Björn Borg strips away the icy façade that once defined him on court. The book, set for U.S. release on 23 September by Diversion Books, begins with a raw account of his 1990s hospitalization after overdosing on “alcohol, drugs, pills, my preferred ways of self-medication.” It ends with a prostate cancer diagnosis, which he now faces in remission.

“It’s good,” the 69-year-old told The Associated Press in a recent video interview from his Stockholm home, “to have a good beginning and a good ending.” The 292-page memoir is a departure from the silence he cultivated during and after his playing days, offering stories of love, regret, excess and survival.

Walking away from tennis at 25

Borg retired shockingly early, at just 25, after losing both the Wimbledon and U.S. Open finals in 1981 to his rival John McEnroe. While others saw a glittering career still ahead, Borg knew otherwise.

“My head was spinning,” he said. “And I knew I’m going to step away from tennis.”

That decision, he explains, left him unmoored. He returned briefly to the professional circuit in the early 1990s but never again at Grand Slam level. What followed was a long descent into substance abuse.

On court, Borg was famously known as “Ice-Borg”, a man of composure who never flinched. But he reveals that this restraint was a learned skill, born from shame as a 12-year-old banned by his local club for bad behavior.

Off court, that discipline dissolved. By his own account, panic attacks and depression pushed him into cocaine use starting in 1982. “The first time I tried cocaine,” Borg writes, “I got the same kind of rush I used to get from tennis.”

The rush quickly became reliance. “It really destroys you,” Borg said of drugs. “I was happy to get away from tennis, to get away from that life. But I had no plan what to do. I had no people behind me to guide me in the right direction.”

Also Read: “Day by day, year by year,” Is How Bjorn Borg Takes Life After His Prostate Cancer Diagnosis

Overdoses and shame

Borg details two overdoses that landed him in hospital, one in Holland in the early 1990s, and another in 1989 in Milan, which he insists was an accident rather than a suicide attempt. The darkest moment, he admits, came when he awoke in a hospital bed to see his father looking down at him.

“That was the worst shame of all,” he writes.

These incidents, combined with spiraling personal struggles, forced Borg to confront how far he had fallen from the grace of his early sporting stardom.

Name: drops and surreal encounters

Heartbeats is not a typical sports autobiography. Alongside harrowing stories of addiction and recovery, Borg mixes in extraordinary encounters: a water-skiing shoulder injury before the 1977 U.S. Open, receiving death threats during the 1981 U.S. Open, being robbed at gunpoint after accepting payment in cash, and facing coin-throwing spectators in Rome.

The book name-drops Donald Trump, Nelson Mandela, Tina Turner, Andy Warhol, Yasser Arafat, and even “my old friend Hugh Hefner.” These anecdotes place Borg not only in tennis history but within a swirl of 20th-century celebrity and politics.

“People will be very surprised what really happened,” Borg said. “For me to come out after all these years, all I went through, I went through some difficult times, it’s a relief for me to do this book. I feel so much better. No secrets anymore.”

A candid look at survival

The memoir also traces his strained relationships, with parents, with his children, and with his own sense of identity after leaving professional sport. By his account, retirement robbed him of purpose, and drugs filled the void.

Borg acknowledges that his descent was partly a reaction to the structure of his tennis life: “I was happy to get away from tennis … but I had no plan what to do.” Without the rhythm of tournaments and training, he spiraled.

Yet he insists he has rebuilt his life. Now, after cancer treatment, he says he is proud of where he stands: sober, reflective, and still connected to the sport he once dominated.

Looking ahead, without secrets

For Borg, writing Heartbeats is as much about catharsis as it is about record-keeping. He admits that his privacy once shielded him from scrutiny but also kept him trapped in silence about his struggles. Now, at 69, he frames his story differently: beginning with a near-death overdose, ending with cancer remission, and filling the middle with unvarnished honesty.

“I went through some difficult times,” he said, “but now I feel so much better.”

Björn Borg’s memoir offers not just the tale of a tennis great, but a portrait of a man forced to confront addiction, shame, and mortality, and who, at last, seems at peace.