About Cushing’s

Cushing’s Syndrome Information

Borrowed from http://www.cushings-help.com

Cushing’s syndrome, also known as hypercortisolism or hyperadrenocorticism, is an endocrine disorder caused by prolonged exposure of the body’s tissues to high levels of the hormone cortisol (in the blood) from a variety of causes, including primary pituitary adenoma (known as Cushing’s disease), primary adrenal hyperplasia or neoplasia, ectopic ACTH production (e.g., from a small cell lung cancer), and iatrogenic (steroid use). It is relatively rare and most commonly affects adults aged 20 to 50. An estimated 10 to 15 of every million people are affected each year. Cushing’s was discovered by American physician, surgeon and endocrinologist Harvey Cushing (1869-1939) and reported by him in 1932.

Normally, cortisol is released from the adrenal glands in response to ACTH being released from the pituitary gland. Both Cushing’s syndrome and Cushing’s disease are characterized by elevated levels of cortisol in the blood, but the cause of elevated cortisol differs between the two.

Cushing’s Disease (my diagnosis) specifically refers to a tumor in the pituitary gland that stimulates excessive release of cortisol from the adrenal glands by releasing large amounts of ACTH.   In Cushing’s Syndrome, ACTH levels usually drop due to negative feedback from high levels of cortisol.  All forms of Cushing’s are correctly called Cushing’s Syndrome.

Cushing’s syndrome occurs when the body’s tissues are exposed to excessive levels of cortisol for long periods of time. Cortisol helps maintain blood pressure and cardiovascular function and is responsible for helping the body respond to stress. Many people suffer the symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome because they take steroids such as prednisone for asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and other inflammatory diseases, or for immunosuppression after transplantation. Prednisone is well-known for a “bloating” look that it gives people who take it.

Others develop Cushing’s syndrome because of overproduction of cortisol by the body due to a tumor on the pituitary (usually an adenoma or benign tumor of the pituitary glands) or adrenal glands or elsewhere in the body (ectopic).  Adrenal cancers, or other adrenal abnormalities may be the cause of Cushing’s Syndrome as well.

People who have been diagnosed with depression, alcoholism, malnutrition and panic attacks tend to have higher cortisol levels as well. These types of Cushing’s may be called Pseudo-Cushings.

Symptoms vary, but most people have upper body obesity (central obesity), rounded face (“moon face”), increased fat around the neck and on the back of the neck (buffalo hump), and thinning arms and legs. Children tend to be obese with slowed growth rates.

Other symptoms appear in the skin, which becomes fragile and thin. It bruises easily and heals poorly. Purplish pink stretch marks (striae) may appear on the abdomen, thighs, buttocks, arms and breasts. The bones are weakened, and routine activities such as bending, lifting or rising from a chair may lead to backaches, rib and spinal column fractures.

Most people have severe fatigue, weak muscles, persistent hypertension (due to the aldosterone-like effects) and insulin resistance, leading to hyperglycemia (high blood sugars) which can lead to diabetes mellitus. Patients frequently suffer various psychological disturbances, ranging from euphoria to frank psychosis. Depression and anxiety, including panic attacks, are common.

Women usually have excess hair growth (hirsutism) on their faces, necks, chests, abdomens, and thighs. Their menstrual periods may become irregular or stop (amenorrhoea). Men have decreased fertility with diminished or absent desire for sex.

Other symptoms include excess sweating, telangiectasia (dilation of capillaries, spider veins), atrophy of the skin (which gets thin and bruises easily) and other mucous membranes, proximal muscle weakness (hips, shoulders).

The excess cortisol may also affect other endocrine systems and cause, for example, reduced libido, impotence and infertility.

Untreated Cushing’s syndrome can lead to heart disease and increased mortality. Excess ACTH may also result in hyperpigmentation of the skin.

SYMPTOMS ASSOCIATED WITH CUSHING’S DISEASE

• Rounding of the face (moon face)
• Facial redness (facial plethora or red cheeks)
• Acne
• Hump on back of neck (dorsocervical fat deposition), called a buffalo hump
• Weight gain around the belly with thinner arms and legs (truncal obesity) despite efforts to lose weight (lifestyle modifications)
• Pink or purple stretch marks (striae) on the skin of your abdomen, thighs, breasts and arms
• Thicker or more visible body and facial hair (hirsutism)
• Muscle weakness
• Extreme fatigue
• Thin and fragile skin that bruises easily
• Slow healing of cuts, insect bites and infections
• Bone thinning (recurrent fractures, osteoporosis)
• Recurrent infections
• Sleep disturbances (waking in the middle of the night)
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes mellitus
• Depression, anxiety, crying, and irritability
• Confusion, mind fog, slowed memory
• Low self-esteem
• Irregular or absent menstrual periods in females
• Decreased sex drive

Pituitary Gland Information

From its lofty position above the rest of the body the pituitary gland sends signals to the thyroid gland, adrenal glands, ovaries and testes, directing them to produce thyroid hormone, cortisol, estrogen, testosterone, and many more. These hormones have dramatic effects on metabolism, blood pressure, sexuality, reproduction, and other vital body functions. In addition, the pituitary gland produces growth hormone for normal development of height and prolactin for milk production.

The pituitary is the control center for the endocrine system, which controls all of the hormones produced in the body.