What is Cushing Syndrome?
Posted by Healthfitline
On
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Cushing Syndrome is a disease that occurs as result of excessive production of corticosteroids, due to tumor of pituitary or adrenal glands. In most cases, Cushing Syndrome is caused by excessive use of corticosteroids medications.
There are several mechanisms that are associated with overproduction of corticol hormones;
- Tumor of the pituitary gland that produces too much ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone), hencing stimulating the adrenal cortex to increase more cortisol production.
- Adrenal gland tumors - over production of corticosteroids hormones.
- Ectopic production of cortisol - tumors from other parts of body that produce cortisol. Such as bronchogenic carcinoma.
Cushing Syndrome Symptoms
- Central obesity - a classic symptoms of cushing syndrome in adults.
- Moon like facial appearance.
- Buffalo bump - a fatty looking neck and broad shoulders.
- Heavy trunk
- Thin extremities in comparison to the upper part of the body.
- Thin skin and very fragile. The patient complains of easily getting bruised.
- Sleep disturbances
- A feeling of weakness
- Increased blood sugar due to excessive cortisol production.
- Patient complains of easily gaining weight.
- Hypertension due to retention of sodium and water.
- Weakness, backache, osteoporosis and kyphosis may occur.
- Stress and depression may also occur.
Other symptoms that specially occur on female patients are;
- Menses cessation
- Male traits appearance and recession of female traits.
- Hirsutism - excessive growth of facial hair.
- Breasts decrease in size.
- Enlargement of clitoris and decrease in libido.
Cushing Syndrome Diagnosis
- Dexamethasone overnight suppression test - Used to detect whether the excessive corticosteroids hormones is due to a problem with pituitary or adrenal glands or from other sources.
- 24 hours urine sample to measure cortisol levels.
- 24 hours saliva sample to measure the level of cortisol.
- Radioimmunoassy (used in measurement of ACTH in conjunction with other tests) - A decrease in ACTH with high cortisol level indicates an adrenal problem or a tumor while an increase in both ACTH and cortisol indicates a problem or a tumor in hypothalamus or pituitary gland.
Other diagnostic tests that may be performed include; blood test to measure pottasium and glucose levels. CT scan and MRI to local and detect tumors of the adrenal and pituitary glands.
Cushing's Syndrome Treatment
The choice of treatment depends on what is causing the disease. If the cushing syndrome is due to a problem with the pituitary gland, treatment is directed towards the gland. Radiation and surgery may be opted. Transsphenoidal hypophysectomy surgery is usually the treatment of choice for tumors found on pituitary gland. Adrenalectomy (removal of adrenal gland) is the surgical treatment choice for tumors of the adrenal glands.
If cushing syndrome is due to excessive use of corticosteroids medications, the dose may be reduced or an alternative therapy may be given. If one of the adrenal glands is removed, a temporary cortisol hormone replacement therapy is required to combat adrenal insufficiency, until when the glands resume the normal production. If both adrenal glands are removed, life time replacement of adrenal hormones may be indicated.
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