Gourt > Health > Conditions and Diseases > Endocrine Disorders > Pituitary > Cushing's Syndrome
Cushing's syndrome or hypercortisolism or hyperadrenocorticism is an endocrine disorder caused by excessive levels of the endogenous corticosteroid hormone cortisol. It may also be induced iatrogenically by treatment with exogenous corticosteroids for other medical conditions. It was discovered by American physician, surgeon and endocrinologist Harvey Cushing (1869-1939) and reported by him in 1932.
Signs and symptoms
Symptoms include rapid weight gain, particularly of the trunk and face with sparing of the limbs (central obesity), "moon face", excess sweating, telangiectasia (dilation of capillaries), atrophy of the skin (which gets thin and bruises easily) and other mucous membranes, purple or red striae on the trunk, buttocks, arms, legs or breasts, proximal muscle weakness (hips, shoulders), and hirsutism (facial male-pattern hair growth). A common sign is the growth of fat pads along the collar bone and on the back of the neck (known as a buffalo hump). The excess cortisol may also affect other endocrine systems and cause, for example, reduced libido, impotence, amenorrhoea and infertility. Patients frequently suffer various psychological disturbances, ranging from euphoria to frank psychosis. Depression and anxiety, including panic attacks, are common.
Other signs include persistent hypertension (due to the aldosterone-like effects) and insulin resistance, leading to hyperglycemia (high blood sugars) which can lead to diabetes mellitus. Untreated Cushing's syndrome can lead to heart disease and increased mortality. Cushing's syndrome due to excess ACTH may also result in hyperpigmentation of the skin, due to its ability to stimulate melanocyte receptors.
More on [ Cushing's syndrome ]
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Cushing's Disease - Describes this pituitary adenoma and provides signs, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. By UCLA Neurosurgery.
Cushing' Syndrome Laboratorial Diagnosis - Discusses hypercortisolism and dexamethasone. Aimed at med students.
Meta Description: [ A review of Osteoporosis a frequent
osteometabolic disease, with a high morbidity, frequently associated with hip
and vertebral fractures. ]
Cushing's Help and Support - Non-profit organization providing information, news, and education to individuals with cushing's as well as other diseases of the pituitary glands. Contains a message board.
Meta Description: [ Welcome to Cushing's Help and Support. This site provides information, support, RSS feedsnews, and education for people with Cushing's or other endocrine problems, their friends and families. Cushing's syndrome is a hormonal disorder caused by prolonged exposure of the body's tissues to high leve... ]
Cushing's Support and Research Foundation - Non-profit organization provides information for patients on the medical aspects of Cushing's via newsletters. They also help put people in contact with one another.
Meta Description: [ A non-profit organization dedicated to supporting patients with Cushings and their families by providing medical information, and contact with other Cushings patients. ]
Cushing's Syndrome - Questions and answers about this disease. Covers symptoms, treatment, diagnosis, and research. From NIDDK.
Meta Description: [ Cushing's Syndrome ]
Cushing's Syndrome - Describes this hormonal disorder in relation to cortisol. Provides causes, tests, how it's diagnosed, and resources. From Neuroendocrine Clinical Center.
Meta Description: [ Cushing's Syndrome/Disease Information for Patients - The Neuroendocrine Clinical Center offers detailed outpatient evaluation of all disorders affecting the endocrine function of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, achieved through comprehensive office visits, complete basal and dynamic hormon... ]
OHSU Health - Cushing's Disease - Discusses signs, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, assessment of cure, and long term complications.
Overactive Adrenal Glands / Cushing's Syndrome - Health guide on this condition that results from adrenal glands producing excess hormones.
Meta Description: [ When adrenal glands produce excessive amounts of certain hormones, they are called ]
Patient information: Cushing's syndrome - Discusses the signs and symptoms of Cushing's along with other useful information for patients on treatments, diagnosis, and effectiveness of treatment.
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