What is Cushing's syndrome?

Cushing’s syndrome is a metabolic disorder caused by overproduction of the corticosteroid hormones by the adrenal cortex and often involving obesity and high blood pressure. Some of major symptoms of this condition are: weight gain, purple stretch marks on the breasts arms, abdomen and thighs, thinning skin that bruises easily, skin injuries that are slow to heal, acne, fatigue, muscle weakness, increased thirst, increased urination, and anxiety or irritability, women may also notice extra facial and hair, as well absent or irregular menstruation. When your body has too much cortisol, it can throw off your other body systems.

Cushing syndrome is also known as hypercortisolism, it is a disorder that was caused by prolonged use of glucocorticoid hormone (medication) used for rheumatoid, asthma, lupus, arthritis and can also be used for immunosuppression after transplantation. Thus, glucocorticoid hormone is a powerful anti-inflammatory medication that if taking too much can result to cushing’s syndrome.

Also, this disorder can be caused by a tumor in the pituitary gland that is found at the base of the brain and it is commonly found in women than men between the ages of 25 to 40 while children with this condition experience slow growth rate and generally obese. However, the common signs and symptoms of cushing’s syndrome includes abdominal obesity with thin legs and arms, high blood pressure, irritability, severe fatigue, anxiety, headache and depression.