Cushing's Syndrome: MedlinePlus [NEW TOPIC PAGE and MORE]

Cushing's Syndrome

URL of this page: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/cushingssyndrome.html

 

Also called: Hypercortisolism 

 

 Cushings syndrome is caused by long-term exposure to too much cortisol, a hormone that your adrenal gland makes. Sometimes, taking synthetic hormone medicine to treat an inflammatory disease leads to Cushing's. Some kinds of tumors secrete a hormone that can cause your body to make too much cortisol.

Cushing's syndrome is rare. Some symptoms are

• Upper body obesity
• Thin arms and legs
• Severe fatigue and muscle weakness
• High blood pressure
• High blood sugar
• Easy bruising

Your treatment will depend on why you have too much cortisol. If it is because you have been taking synthetic hormones, a lower dose may control your symptoms. If a tumor caused it, surgery and other therapies may be needed. Most of the time, Cushing's syndrome can be cured.

NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

MedlinePlus main page:
Cushing's Syndrome: MedlinePlus

MORE: to learn
http://jama.ama-assn.org/content/306/24/2742.full.pdf

 

 

MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA  

• 17-hydroxycorticosteroids
• Cortisol - urine
• Cortisol level
• Cushing syndrome
• Cushing syndrome - exogenous
• Cushing syndrome due to adrenal tumor
• Cushing's disease
• Dexamethasone suppression test
• Ectopic Cushing syndrome
• Hump behind the shoulders

Related Topics

• Adrenal Gland Disorders
• Endocrine System

National Institutes of Health

• The primary NIH organization for research on Cushing's Syndrome is the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases