Cushing Syndrome is a disorder caused by the secretion of large amounts of the hormone cortisol for long periods of time.
Symptoms of Cushing's syndrome:
*Significant weight gain with accumulation of fat, especially in the face, which becomes full and called the moon face. Fat also accumulates in the area between the shoulders and around the neck.
*Pink or purple marks and lines appear on the skin in the abdomen, thighs, chest, and arms.
*Severe fatigue and muscle pain.
*The appearance of hemorrhagic bruises under the skin.
*Depression, tension, and mood swings.
*Distraction and difficulty concentrating.
*Permanent high blood pressure.
*High blood sugar.
*headache.
*Increased skin pigmentation.
*Osteoporosis over time and the effect on growth in children.
*Slow wound healing.
*The appearance of acne.
*The appearance of excess hair.
*Interruption or irregularity of the menstrual cycle.
*Sexual impotence in men.
Causes of Cushing's syndrome
There are two main factors for developing Cushing's syndrome: external factors and internal factors. Here are the details:
1. External factors
External factors include taking synthetic steroid medications, such as Prednisolone pills, which are used to treat many autoimmune and other diseases. External factors are the most common cause of Cushing's syndrome.
2. Internal factors
The internal factors that cause Cushing's syndrome include the following:
*Pituitary gland tumor
The pituitary gland is the gland responsible for a group of endocrine glands in the body, including the suprarenal adrenal gland, which in turn is responsible for secreting cortisol.
If a tumor occurs in the pituitary gland, greater levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) are secreted, and thus the adrenal gland, in turn, secretes more cortisol in response to the pituitary gland. Cortisol levels rise and Cushing's syndrome occurs.
Pituitary tumors cause 60%-70% of cases of Cushing's syndrome.
* Secretion of hormone directed by the cancerous adrenal cortex
In some cases, adrenocortical hormone is secreted from places other than the pituitary gland, so some types of cancer secrete this hormone.
These cancers include some types of lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, thyroid cancer, or thymus cancer, and this cause accounts for 50% of Cushing syndrome cases.
*Adrenal gland tumors
Adrenal gland tumors, whether benign or malignant, may lead to increased secretion of the hormone cortisol and the occurrence of Cushing's syndrome.
Adrenal tumors usually cause a sudden increase and very high levels of cortisol.
Treatment of Cushing's syndrome:
Treatment for Cushing's syndrome depends on the cause of it. Here are some ways to treat Cushing's syndrome:
1. Reduce the dose of steroid medications
If the cause is external, the solution is to reduce the dose of steroid medications or replace them with other treatments if possible.
It should be noted that these measures should not be taken without medical advice, because suddenly stopping steroid treatments causes major problems. Rather, the dose must be reduced gradually and thoughtfully.
2. Surgery and radiotherapy
If the cause of Cushing's syndrome is the growth of tumors in either the pituitary or adrenal gland, treatment includes surgery and removal of the tumor, sometimes accompanied by radiation therapy, depending on the nature and size of the tumor.
3. Pharmaceutical treatments
Treatment with medications can be used as another option if there is no response to other treatments. Some medications work to inhibit cortisol production.
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