Cushing’s Syndrome

Cushing’s syndrome is named after Dr Cushing, an American physician who first described the disease in 1932.

In this article:

What is Cushing’s syndrome?

Symptoms

Causes

Diagnosis

Treatment

How Chemist Online can help

Advice & Support

What is Cushing’s syndrome?
Cushing’s syndrome is essentially a group of changes to the body caused by a hormone disorder – your body producing excessive amounts of Cortisol.

About cortisol: Cortisol is a vital hormone in the human body. It is made by the adrenal glands. You have two adrenal glands. They are positioned above each of your kidneys.

The reason cortisol must remain at an appropriate level is because it helps to regulate your blood pressure, blood sugar level, and immune system. Also, a sufficient level of cortisol in your bloodstream can help to guard against Stress.

Symptoms
Many people with Cushing’s syndrome develop a ‘hump’ between their shoulders – something they can feel self-conscious of. The increased deposits of fat in this area of the body are caused by cortisol being redistributed there. Through the redistribution, a hump-like mound develops.

Other symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome include:

Rapid weight-gain and fat deposits to the face (which also becomes rounded and reddened), stomach and chest

Fat deposits on the back of the neck

Skin changes (spots, stretch marks, changes in skin colour…)

Excessive facial and body hair (women are particularly affected by this)

Fluid retention in the legs

Excessive sweating

The arms and legs being noticeably disproportionate in size (i.e. smaller than normal) to the rest of your body

Being easily bruised

Weakened bones and muscles

Interruption to menstrual periods

Diminished libido

Erectile dysfunction in men

Fatigue

Associated symptoms include:

Mood disorders, such as: anxiety, irritability and panic attacks

High blood pressure

High blood glucose

Baldness in women (in rare cases)

Headaches and migraines

Raging thirst

An increased need to urinate (this can be mild or an urgent need, depending upon the severity of your condition)

Causes
As we have seen, Cushing’s syndrome is caused by excessive amounts of the cortisol hormone. Your metabolism is affected by this excess, resulting in the onset of the aforementioned symptoms.

Most cases of Cushing’s syndrome develop as a result of taking long-term medical steroids. Also, people with rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions can develop Cushing’s syndrome. In many cases, Cushing’s syndrome can occur naturally, due to their being a small, cancerous tumour in the pituitary gland (this lies just below the brain).

Diagnosis
If you are suffering from the aforementioned symptoms, make an appointment to see your GP. After taking your medical history and asking you some questions about your symptoms, you will then be asked to have a series of tests, such as a blood test and urine test, to determine the exact cause of your condition.

You may be referred to your local hospital for an X-Ray or scan. If a confirmed diagnosis is made based upon the results, an appropriate course of treatment will be recommended to you.

Treatment
The type of treatment recommended to you will depend upon what is thought to be causing your condition.

Where cancer of the pituitary gland is established as the cause, this is usually treated through surgery. If this is not possible, radiotherapy (high-energy radiation treatment) may be considered: to destroy the pituitary adenoma.

Other treatments for Cushing’s syndrome include prescribed medication to adjust the level of cortisol your body produces (and the effect it has). These medications have proved successful worldwide in treating the condition.

How Chemist Online can help
Through this website we have a range of products available to buy which can help you to monitor your blood glucose levels.

We can also offer you a range of treatments which can help relieve the symptoms of migraine.


www.chemistonline.co.uk


Advice & Support
Association for Cushing’s Treatment & Help
Tel: 01628 670389
Website: www.cushingsacth.co.uk

Pituitary Foundation
Tel: 0845 450 0375
Website: www.pituitary.org.uk

Macmillan Cancer Support
Tel: Helpline 0808 800 1234 (free phone)
Tel: 020 7739 2280 (standard rate)
Website: www.cancerbackup.org.uk


This information and advice is not intended to replace the advice of your GP or chemist. Chemist Online is also not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made by a user based upon the content of the Chemist Online website. Chemist Online is also not liable for the contents of any external internet sites listed, nor does it endorse any commercial product or service mentioned or advised on any of the sites.


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Keywords: Medicines, Health, Beauty

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