Cushing Syndrome

By Angela Young 14 months ago

Cushing Syndrome is a condition can comes from high levels of Cortisol in your body. Cortisol is a stress hormone your body naturally produces. Cortisol is also in some medications and steriod hormones. There are a variety of symptoms you may notice that could indicate Cushings. Some of them include:

Symptoms

Symptoms of Cushing Syndrom include:

• Easy bruising
• Thin skin
• Round, red face
• Upper body fat
• Bone pain or tenderness
• Purplish marks on thighs, abdomen and breasts (not to be confused with stretch marks)
• Back ache (from routine activities)
• Weak muscles

Women may experience some symptoms unique to their gender. Some of these symtpoms include:

• Irregular menstrual cycle
• Excessive hair growth (face, neck, chest, abdomen, thighs)

Men may also experience gender specific symptoms, including:

• Impotence
• Decreased sex desire

Risks

The risks Cushings syndrome brings is the risk of tumor in the areas when Cortisol is overproduced.

Tests

There are a variety of tests your doctor can administer to look for the signs of Cushing Syndrome. They can test for low potassium, high blood sugar and high white blood cell counts.

Treatments

The type of treatment depends on the cause of the overproduction of Cortisol. If it comes from a medication or steriod hormone, other medications may be considered. If the problem is an overproductive pituitary gland, the gland may need to be removed surgically. Surgery may also be required if it's caused by adrenal or other tumors.

Complications

Cushing Syndrome can bring other complications including:

• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Kidney stones
• Serious infections

If you suspect you have Cushing Syndrom, contact your doctor immediately for testing. If Cushings is the cause of the symptoms you're experiencing, consider the treatment options to find the one that works best for you.