| Cushing's syndrome (also called
| |
| | gland. CRH causes the pituitary to
|
| hypercortisolism or hyperadrenocorticism)
| |
| | secrete ACTH (adrenocorticotropin), a
|
| is an endocrine disorder caused by high
| |
| | hormone that stimulates the adrenal
|
| levels of cortisol in the blood from a
| |
| | glands. When the adrenals, which are
|
| variety of causes, including primary
| |
| | located just above the kidneys, receive
|
| pituitary adenoma (known as Cushing's
| |
| | the ACTH, they respond by releasing
|
| disease), primary adrenal hyperplasia or
| |
| | cortisol into the bloodstream
|
| neoplasia, ectopic ACTH production (e.g.,
| |
| | Symptoms of Cushing's Syndrome
|
| from a small cell lung cancer), and
| |
| | Symptoms vary, but most people have upper
|
| iatrogenic (steroid use). Normally,
| |
| | body obesity, rounded face, increased fat
|
| cortisol is released from the adrenal
| |
| | around the neck, and thinning arms and
|
| gland in response to ACTH being released
| |
| | legs. Children tend to be obese with
|
| from the pituitary gland. Both Cushing's
| |
| | slowed growth rates.
|
| syndrome and Cushing's disease are
| |
| | Other symptoms appear in the skin, which
|
| characterized by elevated levels of
| |
| | becomes fragile and thin. It bruises
|
| cortisol in the blood, but the cause of
| |
| | easily and heals poorly. Purplish pink
|
| elevated cortisol differs between the
| |
| | stretch marks may appear on the abdomen,
|
| two. Cushing's syndrome is rare. About 5
| |
| | thighs, buttocks, arms and breasts. The
|
| in a million people develop it each year.
| |
| | bones are weakened, and routine
|
| Most cases are in people aged between 20
| |
| | activities such as bending, lifting or
|
| and 50. Common symptoms of Cushing's
| |
| | rising from a chair may lead to
|
| syndrome include upper body obesity,
| |
| | backaches, rib and spinal column
|
| severe fatigue and muscle weakness, high
| |
| | fractures.
|
| blood pressure, backache, elevated blood
| |
| | Treatment of Cushing's Syndrome
|
| sugar, easy bruising, and bluish-red
| |
| | Treatment for Cushing's syndrome depends
|
| stretch marks on the skin. In women,
| |
| | on its cause. Surgery may be needed to
|
| there may be increased growth of facial
| |
| | remove tumors of the adrenal glands.
|
| and body hair, and menstrual periods may
| |
| | Gradual withdrawal of cortisone-type
|
| become irregular or stop completely.
| |
| | drugs (under close medical supervision).
|
| Neurological symptoms include
| |
| | Radiotherapy to the pituitary gland can
|
| difficulties with memory and
| |
| | destroy the pituitary adenoma. This has a
|
| neuromuscular disorders.
| |
| | good chance of success, but may take
|
| Causes of Cushing's Syndrome
| |
| | months or years to take effect.
|
| Cushing's syndrome occurs when the body's
| |
| | Medication (see below) may be needed
|
| tissues are exposed to excessive levels
| |
| | until the radiation treatment takes
|
| of cortisol for long periods of time.
| |
| | effect. Also, the radiotherapy may damage
|
| Many people suffer the symptoms of
| |
| | the normal pituitary cells, and may cause
|
| Cushing's syndrome because they take
| |
| | low levels of other hormones made by the
|
| glucocorticoid hormones such as
| |
| | pituitary gland. However, replacement
|
| prednisone for asthma, rheumatoid
| |
| | hormone therapy can usually be taken if
|
| arthritis, lupus or other inflammatory
| |
| | this occurs..
|
| diseases.
| |
| | Adrenal Tumors
|
| Others develop Cushing's syndrome because
| |
| | Surgery is the mainstay of treatment for
|
| of overproduction of cortisol by the
| |
| | benign as well as cancerous tumors of the
|
| body. Normally, the production of
| |
| | adrenal glands. In Primary Pigmented
|
| cortisol follows a precise chain of
| |
| | Micronodular Adrenal Disease and the
|
| events. First, the hypothalamus, a part
| |
| | familial Carney's complex, surgical
|
| of the brain which is about the size of a
| |
| | removal of the adrenal glands is
|
| small sugar cube, sends corticotropin
| |
| | required.
|
| releasing hormone (CRH) to the pituitary
| |
| |
|
