|
|
What is Cushing's Syndrome? |
| | | | |
Symptoms
Cushing’s syndrome occurs when the body suffers an exposure to high amounts of cortisol, a hormone which is produced from the adrenal glands. The condition is sometimes referred to as hypercortisolism, or an overproduction of cortisol. Too much cortisol in the body causes the usual signs of the condition: a fatty and firm hump on the patient’s shoulders, an unusually rounded face, as well as stretch marks on various skin regions which are pinkish or purplish in color. Cushing’s syndrome may also cause high blood pressure, reduction of bone mass, and sometimes diabetes. Initial symptoms of the condition include fatigue, muscle feebleness, facial flushing, or a gain in weight which is localized to areas of the abdomen or the upper back.
Causes
Cortisol in itself is a major contributor to normal body functioning. It regulates blood pressure and maintains normal cardiovascular activity. It also reacts to stress by adjusting the way in which the body breaks down proteins, fat, and carbohydrates in the food into consumable energy. The cause of Cushing’s syndrome can come from external sources, such as the intake or intravenous introduction of significant doses of corticosteroids for extended periods. Medications like prednisone and methylprednisolone, bear similar effects as cortisol in the body. Several physiological conditions may also cause the body to produce excessive amounts of cortisol, such as a tumor in the pituitary gland or in the ectopic region (lungs, pancreas or the thymus), or a disorder of the adrenal glands, such as a non-malignant mass on the adrenal cortex, or a benign enlargement of both glands.
Diagnosis
Cushing’s syndrome shares the same symptoms as various other conditions, so diagnosis can be difficult. But if the patient describes or exhibits multiple symptoms such as those described previously during a physical exam, these are enough for the doctor to recommend further tests to be made to detect if the condition is the actual cause. If the patient has been using corticosteroids for some time, the physician may attribute the symptoms as an effect of the medication. Otherwise, further examinations may be necessary, including a urine and blood test, which measures cortisol levels in both; a saliva test, a sample of which is collected prior to midnight when cortisol production is at its lowest; and imaging tests, such as CT scans or MRIs which look for abnormalities in the pituitary or adrenals, such as tumors.
Treatment Info
The treatment options for Cushing’s syndrome intend to reduce the body’s cortisol levels back to normal, and the applicable treatment will depend on the reason for the syndrome. If the cause is external, reduction of corticosteroid usage is the obvious first measure. If the drug is prescribed for conditions like asthma or arthritis, the doctor may recommend noncorticosteroidal drugs which eventually minimize cortisol introduction into the body. If the cause is a tumor of either the pituitary or the adrenal glands, the doctor may employ three options: first, complete surgical removal of the mass, and then radiation therapy to eliminate the remnant cells. Medical therapy is advised when the body still can’t normalize its cortisol production, in spite of the first two procedures.
| | | |
| |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
