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Medical Definition of Chronic adrenocortical insufficiency
1. Adrenocortical insufficiency usually as the result of idiopathic atrophy or destruction of both adrenal glands by tuberculosis, an autoimmune process, or other diseases; characterised by fatigue, decreased blood pressure, weight loss, increased melanin pigmentation of the skin and mucous membranes, anorexia, and nausea or vomiting; without appropriate replacement therapy, it can progress to acute adrenocortical insufficiency. Synonym: Addison's disease, addisonian syndrome, hyposupradrenalism, morbus Addisonii. (05 Mar 2000)