Cushing's Syndrome

📖What is Cushing's Syndrome?

Cushing's syndrome is a hormonal disorder that results from prolonged exposure of the body's tissues to excessive levels of the hormone cortisol, which normally helps regulate metabolism, blood pressure, and the body's stress response. Excess cortisol can arise from the body's own overproduction, most often due to a tumour of the pituitary gland that drives excessive cortisol production from the adrenal glands, or from long-term use of corticosteroid medications prescribed for other conditions, which is actually the most common overall cause. Chronic cortisol excess produces a distinctive pattern of physical changes, including central weight gain, thinning skin, and muscle weakness, alongside significant risks including elevated blood pressure, diabetes, and bone loss if the condition remains untreated. Diagnosis can be challenging since some features overlap with more common conditions, often requiring specific hormone testing and imaging to confirm the diagnosis and identify the underlying source. Treatment aims to normalise cortisol levels by addressing the specific underlying cause, which often leads to significant improvement in symptoms.

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