cushing's syndrome
A condition that occurs from exposure to high cortisol levels for a long time.
Signs & Symptoms
The most common symptons with Cushing syndrome are:
Causes
Risk Factors
Complications
Without treatment, complications of Cushing syndrome may include:
Communicable / Non-communicable
Non-communicable
Signs & Symptoms
The most common symptons with Cushing syndrome are:
- Round, red, full face
- Slow growth rate (in children)
- Weight gain with fat accumulation on the trunk, but fat loss from the arms, legs, and buttocks (central obesity)
- Skin infections
- Purple marks (1/2 inch or more wide) called striae on the skin of the abdomen and thighs
- Thin skin with easy bruising
- Backache, which occurs with routine activities
- Bone pain or tenderness
- Collection of fat between the shoulders and above collar bone
- Rib and spine fractures caused by thinning of the bones
- Weak muscles, especially of the hips and shoulders
- Mental changes, such as depression, anxiety, or changes in behavior
- Mood swings
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Increased thirst and urination
Causes
- Taking too much glucocorticosteroid medicine used to treat many conditions such as:
- asthma
- skin inflamation
- cancer
- bowel disease
- joint pain
- rheumatoid arthritis
- Body producing (naturally) too much cortisol
Risk Factors
- Obesity
- Type II diabetes
- Depression
- High blood pressure
- Long-term use of steroids
Complications
Without treatment, complications of Cushing syndrome may include:
- Bone loss (osteoporosis):
- unusual bone fractures, such as rib fractures and fractures of the bones in the feet
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Type 2 diabetes
- Frequent or unusual infections
- Loss of muscle mass and strength
Communicable / Non-communicable
Non-communicable