Cushing's Syndrome. What is Cushing's syndrome?
Cushing's syndrome is a rare disorder that develops when the body is exposed to too much of the hormone cortisol. Cushing's syndrome is also known as hypercortisolism.
Normally, cortisol levels increase through a chain reaction of hormones. The brain's hypothalamus produces corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), which stimulates the pituitary gland to make adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). Then, ACTH stimulates the adrenal glands to produce cortisol.
Cortisol affects almost every area of the body and is particularly important in regulating blood pressure and metabolism.
But if your body makes too much cortisol—or if you take certain medicines that act like cortisol—you may develop one or more symptoms. Cushing's syndrome may cause weight gain, skin changes, and fatigue and lead to such serious conditions as diabetes, high blood pressure, depression, and osteoporosis. If untreated, Cushing's syndrome can cause death.
What are the symptoms?
Weight gain and obesity—especially around the waist—are the most common symptoms. Because cortisol affects almost all body systems, many symptoms may develop. They include:
Muscle weakness.
Changes in the skin, such as bruising, acne, and dark purple-red stretch marks on the abdomen called striae.
Changes in mood, such as irritability, anxiety, and depression.
Extra fat on the back of the neck and upper back.
Backaches.
Loss of muscle tone.
Menstrual irregularity.
Abnormal hair growth (such as facial hair in women).
The signs and symptoms of Cushing's syndrome generally develop gradually.
Sometimes alcoholism, depression, panic attacks, obesity, or other conditions can cause symptoms similar to Cushing's syndrome. This is known as pseudo-Cushing's syndrome. Symptoms usually stop when these conditions are treated. Antiviral therapies used in the treatment of HIV also may cause pseudo-Cushing's syndrome.
How is it treated?
If corticosteroid medicine is causing Cushing's syndrome, your doctor will recommend lowering the dose or gradually stopping the medicine. It may take a while for the signs and symptoms of Cushing's syndrome to go away. If a tumor is causing the condition, it must be removed through surgery. Medicines may be used to lower cortisol levels when tumors cannot be removed.
Living with Cushing's syndrome means making lifestyle changes to prevent weight gain and strengthen muscles and bones. See your doctor regularly to check for other conditions that may develop because of Cushing's syndrome, such as diabetes, osteoporosis, and high blood pressure.
I got all of this information off of http://health.yahoo.com/hormone-overview/cushing-s-syndrome-topic-overview/healthwise--hw71648.html |
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