Cushing syndrome
The constellation of symptoms and signs caused by an excess of cortisol hormone.
Cushing syndrome is an extremely complex hormonal condition that involves many areas of the body. Common symptoms are thinning of the skin, weakness, weight gain, bruising, hypertension, diabetes, thin weak bones (osteoporosis), facial puffiness and, in women, cessation of menstrual periods.
Ironically, one of the most common causes of Cushing syndrome is the administration of “cortisol-like medications” for the treatment of diverse diseases. All other cases of Cushing syndrome are due to the excess production of cortisol by the adrenal gland as, for example, due to:
An abnormal growth of the pituitary gland, which can stimulate the adrenal gland;
A benign or malignant growth within the adrenal gland itself, which produces cortisol; or
Production within another part of the body (ectopic production) of a hormone that directly or indirectly stimulates the adrenal gland to make cortisol.
The neurosurgeon Harvey Cushing (1869-1939) described excessive production of cortisol by the adrenal gland due specifically to an ACTH-secreting pituitary adenoma, a benign pituitary tumor that puts out ACTH (AdrenoCorticoTropic Hormone). This drives the adrenal gland to overproduce cortisol.
Read Also:
- Curse, Ondine's
Curse, Ondine’s: Failure from birth of central nervous system control over breathing while asleep. There are usually no breathing problems while awake. The involuntary (autonomic) control of respiration is impaired, but the voluntary control of ventilation which operates during waking hours is generally intact. There can, in addition, be problems with the motility of the […]
- Cushing's ulcer
Cushing’s ulcer: A type of gastrointestinal ulcer associated with stressful medical conditions of the brain, in particular, trauma (accidents), operations, or strokes. The ulcers occur more commonly in the stomach than the duodenum. Although the ulcers usually do not cause symptoms, complications include bleeding and perforation. The cause of stress ulcers such as Cushing’s ulcers […]
- Cushing, Harvey
Cushing, Harvey: Renowned American neurosurgeon (1869-1939) whose name is now associated with Cushing syndrome (Cushing disease), the Cushing phenomenon, Cushing ulcer, Cushing-Rokitansky ulcer, Bailey-Cushing syndrome, Cushing’s clip, Cushing’s law, Cushing’s symphalangism, Cushing’s triad, Neurath-Cushing syndrome, and the adjective “cushingoid.” Cushing served as Professor of Surgery at Harvard and Surgeon in Chief at the Peter Bent […]
- Cushingoid
Cushingoid: Having the constellation of symptoms and signs caused by an excess of cortisol hormone: that is, Cushing syndrome. While facial puffiness and weight gain are typical features of a Cushingoid appearance, cushing syndrome is an extremely complex hormonal condition that involves many areas of the body. Common symptoms are thinning of the skin, weakness, […]
- Cusp
Cusp: In reference to heart valves, one of the triangular segments of the valve which opens and closes with the flow of blood. In reference to teeth, a raised area of the biting surface.