What is Cushing’s syndrome?

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Cushing’s syndrome is a condition caused by an excess of a steroid hormone called cortisol. This can be caused by taking too much of a medicine that contains cortisol (steroids) or by the body producing too much cortisol. People with Cushing’s syndrome gain weight around their middle and in the face, and develop thin, stretched skin.

This condition tends to affect adults between 20 and 50 years of age. The treatment of this condition depends on the cause. Once the underlying cause is recognized and removed, most people with Cushing’s syndrome will recover well. Untreated Cushing’s syndrome can cause osteoporosis, diabetes, high blood pressure, and stroke.

Risks

Cushing’s syndrome develops if there is too much cortisol in the body. The most common cause is taking a steroid medication for a long period of time. Cushing’s syndrome can also occur when the body produces too much cortisol. This happens when growth or cancer causes too much cortisol to be produced. This condition most commonly affects adults between the ages of 20 and 50 years of age and affects three times as many women as men.

Symptoms

The typical symptoms include a red, full face (moon face), weight gain around the belly, a hump between the shoulders, skin changes (thinning, stretch marks, easy bruising, increased hair growth), and muscle weakness. Women may become hairier than they previously were. Children may not grow as fast as their peers. Cortisol may affect sexual function and some men may experience erection problems and decreased sexual desire.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is made by evaluating a person’s medical history, with special attention to medications, and physical examination where the doctor checks for the typical signs of Cushing’s syndrome. If a medication isn’t the cause of the symptoms, saliva, urine, and blood tests are done to test cortisol hormone levels, and imaging tests (ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)) may be done to look for a cause for the excess cortisol.

Treatment

The treatment depends on the cause of the high cortisol level. If it is caused by a high intake of cortisol, the dosage of the medication should be reduced slowly. People taking steroid medications should never stop these medications suddenly. If growth is the underlying reason, then it may have to be removed by surgery. If it is not safe to remove the cause of the high cortisol levels, cortisol can be blocked by other medications.

Prevention

Taking care to avoid long-term use of cortisol-containing medications may help to prevent some cases of Cushing’s syndrome.

Other names for Cushing’s syndrome

• Cushing’s syndrome
• Hypercortisolism

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## What ​is Cushing’s Syndrome?



Cushing’s syndrome is a hormonal disorder ‍that‌ occurs ​when your body ​is exposed to high levels of the hormone cortisol for a long period of time. Cortisol is a steroid hormone that is produced by the adrenal glands, which ⁣are located on top of the kidneys. Cortisol helps regulate a variety of⁣ bodily functions, including ​metabolism, immune⁣ response, and blood pressure. [[1]]



## What Causes​ Cushing’s ‍Syndrome?



The ​most‌ common cause of Cushing’s syndrome⁣ is the use of‍ corticosteroid medications, such as prednisone. These medications are used to treat a variety of conditions, including asthma, arthritis, and lupus. When taken in high doses or for a ​long period of time, corticosteroids can suppress the production of cortisol by⁤ the adrenal glands.‌ This⁣ can lead to Cushing’s syndrome.‍ [[2]]



Other causes of Cushing’s syndrome include:



* **Pituitary gland tumors:** ‍The pituitary⁣ gland is a small gland​ located at the base​ of ⁢the brain. It produces a hormone called adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which stimulates the adrenal glands to produce cortisol. Pituitary ‌gland tumors can produce too much ACTH, which can lead to Cushing’s syndrome.

* **Adrenal gland tumors:** Tumors of the adrenal glands can​ also produce too much cortisol, leading to Cushing’s syndrome.

* ⁤**Ectopic ACTH syndrome:**⁣ This is a rare condition in which tumors in other parts of the body produce ACTH. This can lead to Cushing’s syndrome. [[3]]



## What Are the Symptoms of Cushing’s Syndrome?



The symptoms ⁢of Cushing’s syndrome can vary depending on the severity of the condition. Some of the most common symptoms include:



* Weight ‌gain, especially in the⁢ face,⁣ neck, and trunk

*⁣ Round face

* Thinning skin

* Easy bruising

* Stretch⁢ marks

* Acne

* Hirsutism (excessive hair growth)

* Menstrual irregularities‍ in women

* Erectile​ dysfunction in men

* Fatigue

* ​Weakness

* High blood pressure

* Diabetes

* Osteoporosis



## How Is Cushing’s Syndrome Diagnosed?



Cushing’s​ syndrome can be diagnosed with a variety of tests, including:



* **Blood tests:** Blood tests⁤ can measure the levels of cortisol and ACTH in your blood.

*⁤ **Urine tests:** Urine tests can‍ measure the levels of cortisol in your urine.

* **Imaging tests:** Imaging tests, such as CT scans and MRI scans, can be used to look for tumors of the pituitary gland or adrenal glands.



## How Is Cushing’s Syndrome Treated?



The treatment for Cushing’s⁣ syndrome ⁣depends on the cause of the condition. If the⁣ cause is the ⁣use of corticosteroid medications, the dose of the medication ⁣may be reduced ⁤or the‍ medication may be stopped.‍ If the cause is a tumor, surgery may be necessary to remove the tumor. Other treatments for​ Cushing’s syndrome include:



* **Medications:** Medications can be used to lower the levels of cortisol in your⁤ body.

* **Radiation therapy:** Radiation therapy can be used to shrink tumors‌ of⁤ the pituitary ‌gland or ‌adrenal glands.

* **Chemotherapy:** Chemotherapy can be used to kill cancer cells that are producing ACTH.



## What ‍Is the⁣ Prognosis for Cushing’s Syndrome?



The prognosis for Cushing’s ⁣syndrome ⁢depends on the cause of the condition and ⁤the severity of the⁤ symptoms. With early diagnosis ⁢and treatment, most people with Cushing’s syndrome can⁤ achieve long-term remission. However, if the condition is left untreated, it‍ can lead to serious complications, such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.