Cushing's syndrome, which is a hormonal condition, is a disorder that occurs when a person's cortisol hormone level rises far above normal. High cortisol hormone in people with Cushing's syndrome can negatively affect the body in many different ways. In the emergence of Cushing's syndrome, the increase in blood cortisol level of drugs used in the treatment of various diseases plays a role. However, apart from drugs, good or malignant tumors can also cause Cushing's syndrome, so one should be conscious. If you are wondering what Cushing's syndrome means and what are the causes of Cushing's syndrome, you can review the rest of the article.
What is Cushing's Syndrome?
Cortisol hormone is a hormone secreted in stress situations. A higher than normal level in the bloodstream is called hypercortisolism or Cushing's syndrome. Long-term use of corticosteroid-derived drugs may be effective in the formation of Cushing's syndrome, as well as health problems that may trigger the body's excessive production of cortisol for various reasons, may also play a role in the development of Cushing's. Excessive elevation of the hormone cortisol can cause various symptoms specific to this disease. The development of swelling in the fat structure between the shoulders called the buffalo hump, the rounding of the face and the formation of pink or purple lines (Stria) on the body are among the symptoms of Cushing's syndrome. In addition to these symptoms in Cushing's syndrome, conditions such as high blood pressure (Hypertension), loss of bone tissue or type-2 diabetes may also occur.
What are the Symptoms of Cushing's Syndrome?
The symptoms that occur in Cushing's syndrome may vary according to age, gender and cortisol hormone level. The most common symptoms that may occur are as follows:
- Weight gain,
- Fatty tissue accumulation in the middle of the body, on the face and in the middle of the shoulders,
- Chest, arm , purple-colored cracks in the abdomen and thighs,
- Thinning of the skin and facilitating the development of bruises,
- Slow healing in skin injuries
- Acne,
- Weakness,
- Muscle weakness.
>Cushing's syndrome can be detected in children other than adults. However, its incidence is lower than in adults. Conditions such as obesity, growth retardation and high blood pressure can be detected in children with Cushing's syndrome.
The incidence of Cushing's syndrome in women is higher than in men. According to various studies, the incidence of this disease in women is 3 times higher than in men. In addition to the common symptoms in women with Cushing's syndrome, excessive hair growth may occur in various parts of the body. This hair growth tends to particularly affect the face, neck, chest, abdomen and thighs. In addition to excessive hair growth, women with Cushing's syndrome may also experience menstrual irregularity. In some cases of women with Cushing's syndrome, menstrual irregularity may occur. Care should be taken as infertility problems may occur in cases that are not properly treated. Conditions such as erectile dysfunction (erectile dysfunction) and loss of libido are among the other symptoms that may occur if Cushing's syndrome is not treated in men. is to rise above it. Produced by the adrenal glands, this hormone plays a role in many functions of the body. Regulation of blood pressure, control of inflammatory conditions and regulation of various functions of the cardiovascular system are some of the effects of the hormone cortisol in the body. The production of the hormone cortisol results from the body's response to stress. In addition to its regulatory role in the metabolism of macro nutrients such as carbohydrates, fats and proteins in the body, the hormone cortisol also balances the effects of insulin.
The causes of Cushing's syndrome are mainly internal and external causes. who leaves. The main external cause is the use of long-term corticosteroid drugs. Corticosteroids, which are used in high doses for a long time, play an important role in the control of diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and asthma. At the same time, corticosteroids are among the drugs used in the prevention of rejection in transplant patients. Cushing's syndrome may develop in long-term use of corticosteroid drugs due to these and similar conditions. may also occur. In addition to the extra production of the hormone cortisol, excessive production of the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which plays a regulatory role in the synthesis of this hormone, may also trigger an increase in the cortisol level. ACTH produced in the pituitary gland can pass into the bloodstream in excessive amounts due to tumors developing in this gland. As a result of this transition, cortisol hormone production occurs continuously in the adrenal glands. This condition, which is more common in women, ranks first among the causes of intrabody Cushing's syndrome. Various types of cancer that develop in some organs other than the pituitary gland that do not secrete ACTH hormone under normal conditions may acquire the ability to synthesize this hormone abnormally. Cancers that develop in the lungs, pancreas, thyroid and thymus organs are among the cancer types that can cause Cushing's syndrome with this mechanism.
Cortisol production can reach very high levels in various disorders of the adrenal glands. Tumors originating from the adrenal cortex, called adrenal adenoma, play a leading role in the emergence of this condition. Adrenal adenoma is not a malignant tumor formation and the development of cancer in the adrenal gland is a rare condition. However, Cushing's syndrome may occur in cancerous formations as well as in benign tumors of the adrenal gland.
How is Cushing's Syndrome Diagnosed?
The diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome is the biochemical detection of hormone level changes that play a role in the emergence of the disease, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computerized tomography (CT) ). There are various treatment methods that can be applied in line with this goal. Which of these methods will be applied varies depending on the actual cause of the syndrome. Some drugs may inhibit the activity of the hormone cortisol on the tissues. These changes should never be made individually, without the knowledge and prescription of your physicians. If necessary, other cancer treatments such as radiotherapy (radiation therapy) or chemotherapy can also be applied. Pituitary gland tumors are usually surgically removed by neurosurgeons. In tumors located in the adrenal gland, pancreas or lungs, surgeons perform the treatment of these cancers with various surgical techniques.
Which doctor to go to for Cushing's Syndrome?
The sooner the Cushing syndrome treatment is started, the better. It is a disease with good results. However, it should be noted that these results may vary depending on the underlying cause of Cushing's syndrome and the patient's personal characteristics. If you observe the symptoms of Cushing's syndrome in yourself or in your environment, it is recommended to apply to health institutions and get support from endocrinology or internal medicine specialists.
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