DEAR DR. DONOHUE: In 1989, I was diagnosed with Addison’s disease. I never was told how I got it. One doctor said I could have contracted tuberculosis of the adrenal glands. I worked for the New York City Health and Hospital Corporation for 18 years in engineering and maintenance. I have been on cortisone steroids since my diagnosis. I would love to have more information on it. — S.R.

ANSWER: The two adrenal glands sit on top of the kidneys. They don’t get the press they deserve. They produce hormones essential to health and life. One of them is cortisone, which most people think comes only in pill form or in creams and ointments. The body’s cortisone has many functions. It stimulates production of sugar. It decreases protein production and mobilizes fat for energy. It soothes out-of-control inflammation. The adrenal glands also produce a hormone that partakes in blood pressure regulation and in adjusting the blood levels of potassium and sodium. Adrenaline is another adrenal gland hormone; it shifts us into high gear.

Addison’s disease is an illness in which the adrenal glands shrivel and no longer produce their hormones. In the bad old days — many decades before you came down with the condition — the primary cause of Addison’s was TB of the adrenal glands. Now, the chief reason is an immune attack on the glands by a person’s own body. The reason for the attack isn’t understood.

The results are weakness and fatigue. Appetite flies out the window, and people are nauseated and lose weight. Blood pressure drops. The body’s electrolytes — sodium, potassium, bicarbonate and chloride — are thrown out of whack.

President John F. Kennedy is said to have had Addison’s disease. It was never mentioned when he was alive. No one was aware of it. That’s how effective replacement treatment of the missing hormones in pill form is.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I don’t remember you addressing this subject, so I thought I would write. In 1997, I had a mild heart attack and went on medicines. Six months later I had another mild incident that led me to angioplasty. Ever since, I have been eating well, exercising and taking all my meds. My cardiologist says I have great collaterals. I have sprouted new vessels for my heart. I thought I should have some kind of intervention, but the doctor says no. Can you discuss autogenesis? Am I related to a starfish? — R.S.

ANSWER: You’re the first writer ever to use the word “autogenesis.” If a starfish loses an arm, it grows another — autogenesis. Humans have the same ability when it comes to blood vessels. They can grow new ones, and do so in many instances. Heart-attack victims often can sprout new arteries. It’s a long process. It doesn’t happen overnight. And it doesn’t happen to all people. Count yourself lucky.

The booklet on CAD — coronary artery disease — discusses how vessels become plugged and how they are treated. To order a copy, write: Dr. Donohue — No. 101, Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.75 U.S./$6 Can. with the recipient’s printed name and address. Please allow four weeks for delivery.

TO READERS: Some time ago, a woman who had been a secondary-school teacher for many years wrote in. She asked, “Why do males between the ages of 15 and 18 invariably have their mouths hanging open even when they are not eating or talking?” She wondered if this was a medical problem or had to do with hormones rampant in adolescence. I said I didn’t know but would ask readers.

One response was, “Teenage boys are self-conscious, and this open-mouth behavior relieves them of their self-consciousness.” It’s an idea, but I’m not certain about male teenage self-consciousness.

Another response was, “This woman must have been observing boys who had young and good-looking female teachers.” Now, that does explain the phenomenon.

Dr. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Readers may also order health newsletters from www.rbmamall.com.

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