What Is Cushing’s Syndrome?

Cushing’s Syndrome is a hormonal disorder that results from prolonged exposure to high levels of cortisol—a hormone your body produces in response to stress. While cortisol is essential for many bodily functions, too much of it can cause serious health problems.

Common Symptoms of Cushing’s Syndrome

Many patients experience subtle signs at first, but symptoms often become more visible over time. These include:

• Rapid weight gain (especially around the face and abdomen)

• “Moon face” (a rounded face appearance)

• A fatty hump between the shoulders (“buffalo hump”)

• Thin, fragile skin that bruises easily

• Purple or reddish stretch marks on the abdomen, thighs, or arms

• High blood pressure and elevated blood sugar

• Mood changes like irritability or depression

• In women: irregular periods, reduced fertility, or excess hair growth

What Causes It?

Cushing’s Syndrome can be either exogenous (from external sources) or endogenous (from within the body):

Exogenous Cause

• Long-term use of corticosteroid medications like prednisone (commonly used for chronic inflammation or autoimmune diseases).

Endogenous Causes

• Pituitary tumors (Cushing’s disease): Cause the body to produce too much ACTH, which in turn stimulates cortisol production.

• Adrenal tumors: These directly increase cortisol levels.

• Ectopic ACTH tumors: Found outside the pituitary (e.g., in the lungs), they also drive cortisol overproduction.

How Is It Diagnosed?

Diagnosis usually involves:

• 24-hour urine cortisol test

• Late-night salivary cortisol test

• Low-dose dexamethasone suppression test

• MRI or CT scans to detect tumors in adrenal or pituitary glands

  
  

Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the cause:

• Tapering off steroid medications under a doctor’s supervision

• Surgical removal of tumors from adrenal or pituitary glands

• Radiation therapy if surgery isn’t an option

• Medications like ketoconazole or metyrapone to lower cortisol levels

Why Early Diagnosis Matters

Untreated Cushing’s Syndrome can lead to serious complications such as:

• Osteoporosis

• Type 2 diabetes

• Cardiovascular disease

With proper diagnosis and treatment, patients can regain hormonal balance and restore their quality of life.

https://www.healthline.com/health/cushings-syndrome#symptoms