Contents:
- Medical Video: Cushing Syndrome - causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, pathology
- What are the signs and symptoms of Cushing's syndrome?
- What are the causes of Cushing's syndrome?
- How do doctors diagnose this disease?
- What is the treatment for Cushing's syndrome?
Medical Video: Cushing Syndrome - causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, pathology
Cushing's syndrome occurs when your body has a high level of cortisol hormone abnormally. The uncontrolled hormone cortisol can increase blood pressure and blood glucose levels, which in turn triggers diabetes. In fact, diabetes is one of the complications that can occur due to Cushing's untreated syndrome.
What are the signs and symptoms of Cushing's syndrome?
Cushing's syndrome is also known as hypercortisolism. There are many different symptoms of this condition, the most common of which are:
- Fat tissue that usually increases around the waist, upper back, between the shoulder and face. In many people, this syndrome causes a rounded face.
- Slender arms and legs, contrast significantly with fat deposits around the center of your body.
- Swollen cheeks with red spots.
- Striae - stretch marks red or purple, which can resemble stripes, generally found in the abdomen, near the armpit or around the breasts and thighs.
- Acne.
- Thin skin that is easily bruised.
Women may experience facial and body hair that is thicker than usual (hirsutism) and missed or irregular menstrual cycles. While for men it may experience a decrease in libido, difficulty achieving erection, and loss of fertility.
High blood pressure and high blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia) may often be experienced in people with Cushing's syndrome.
Children with this condition are generally obese and have slower growth rates.
What are the causes of Cushing's syndrome?
This condition is caused by high levels of a hormone called cortisol abnormally. Cortisol is produced by the adrenal glands and helps with some of your body's functions, including:
- Regulates blood pressure, and the cardiovascular system
- Reduces inflammatory response by the immune system
- Turning carbohydrates, fats and proteins into energy
- Balance the effects of insulin in the body
- Response to stress
Your body can produce high cortisol for various reasons, including:
- High stress levels in the final trimester of pregnancy
- High intensity physical activity
- Malnutrition
- Alcoholism
- Depression or panic disorder
The most common cause of Cushing's syndrome is the use of high-dose corticosteroid (such as prednisone) for a long period of time. These drugs are generally prescribed to prevent rejection of transplant organs. They are also used to treat inflammatory diseases (such as lupus and arthritis). The use of high-dose steroid injections for the treatment of back pain can also cause this syndrome.
Lower steroid dosages in the form of inhalants (such as those used for asthma) or creams (as prescribed for eczema) usually do not cause Cushing's syndrome.
Other causes:
- The pituitary gland tumor, also known as Cushing's disease (the pituitary gland produces too much adrenocorticotropic hormone, or ACTH)
- Ectopic ACTH syndrome (tumor usually found in the lungs, pancreas, thyroid or thymus gland)
- Familial Cushing's syndrome (Cushing's syndrome is generally not inherited, but there may be inherited tendencies and result in endocrine tumors)
- Adrenal gland abnormalities or tumors
You are at high risk for this disorder if you are obese or if you have type 2 diabetes with uncontrolled blood glucose levels and high blood pressure.
How do doctors diagnose this disease?
There is no specific test for Cushing's syndrome. Diagnosis involves a thorough physical examination and monitoring of the medical history and symptoms you feel. Laboratory tests that help with diagnosis may include:
- A urine test free of cortisol for 24 hours
- Midnight plasma cortisol measurements and late-night measurements of salivary cortisol
- Low dexamethasone suppression dose test (LDDST) (blood test)
After this condition is diagnosed, the cause of excess cortisol production in you still has to be determined. Tests to help determine the cause may include:
- Stimulation test for corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)
- High dexamethasone suppression test (HDDST) (blood test)
- Imaging tests, such as computed tomography (CT) scans and MRI (MRI)
This relatively rare condition is usually diagnosed in adults between the ages of 20-50 years.
What is the treatment for Cushing's syndrome?
Treatment of this disease depends on the cause. Your doctor may prescribe medication to help control cortisol production and relieve symptoms.
If you use corticosteroid drugs, drug replacement or dose changes may be needed. Don't try to change the dosage yourself. Tumors that cause this disease can be cancerous (malignant) or not cancer (benign). Lifting surgery may be needed. Radiation therapy or chemotherapy may also be recommended.
Please consult a doctor for more information.
