Cushing’s syndrome is a condition caused by long-term exposure to high concentrations of cortisol, a hormone produced by the adrenal glands. Cortisol is important for many functions of the frame, along with regulating metabolism, reducing inflammation, and supporting the body’s response to pressure. However, excessive amounts of cortisol can cause various health problems. cute
reason
Cushing’s syndrome can occur for a variety of reasons, including:
- Exogenous Cushing’s syndrome: Caused by long-term use of corticosteroid drugs (such as prednisone) prescribed for inflammatory or autoimmune conditions.
- Endogenous Cushing’s syndrome: The body produces too much cortisol, which can result from:
- Pituitary adenoma (Cushing’s disease): A benign tumor inside the pituitary gland that produces too much adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and stimulates the production of cortisol.
- Adrenal tumors: Benign or malignant growths within the adrenal glands that cause an immediate increase in cortisol secretion.
- Ectopic ACTH syndrome: Positive cancers (eg, most mobile small lung cancers) produce ACTH outside the pituitary gland.
signs
Not uncommon signs and symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome include:
- Weight Benefit: Spread primarily to the stomach, face (“moonface”), and upper back (“buffalo hump”).
- Skin conditioning: Thin and weak skin. A beautiful bruise. Red stretch marks (striae) can be seen especially on the abdomen.
- Muscle weaknesses: especially arms and legs.
- Bone fitness: osteoporosis or fractures.
- High blood pressure and blood sugar levels: Accelerates the chances of diabetes and high blood pressure.
- Mood regulation: despair, anxiety, irritability.
- Fatigue and lack of sleep.
- Women: Irregular or absent menstrual intervals and poor hair growth.
- Men: Decreased libido and erectile dysfunction.
analysis
A diagnosis of Cushing’s syndrome includes:
Measurement of cortisol levels (assessment of blood, urine, or saliva).
Through imaging tests (MRI or CT scan) and blood tests, we will determine what is causing your ACTH levels to stumble.
treatment
Treatment depends on the underlying reason.
Reduce steroid use: If corticosteroid treatment is the cause, taper the dose under scientific supervision.
Surgical treatment: Removal of the tumor from the pituitary gland, adrenal gland, or ectopic sources.
Radiation therapy: For inoperable pituitary tumors.
Medications: Lower the level of cortisol or block its effects.
Lifestyle modifications: Control signs and symptoms and enhance average fitness.
prognosis
With proper treatment, many people can overcome Cushing’s syndrome, but others may have chronic health problems that require ongoing control. Early detection and treatment greatly improves outcomes.
Causes and threat factors of Cushing’s syndrome
Reasons for Cushing’s syndrome
Cushing’s syndrome is caused by excessive and prolonged exposure to cortisol, a hormone produced through the adrenal glands. Reasons are classified as extrinsic (external) or intrinsic (internal). read more
1. Exogenous reasons (external)
Long-term use of corticosteroid drugs:
The most common cause of Cushing’s syndrome.
Medications used in combination with prednisone and dexamethasone, used to treat conditions such as asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and autoimmune diseases, mimic the effects of cortisol.
High doses or long-term use can disrupt Frame’s herbal cortisol control.
two. Intrinsic reasons
Endogenous Cushing’s syndrome is caused by a hormonal imbalance or a tumor that regularly produces excessive amounts of cortisol.
Pituitary adenoma (Cushing’s disease):
Noncancerous tumors within the pituitary gland produce too much adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which stimulates the adrenal glands to release more cortisol.
The most common intrinsic reason.
Adrenal tumor:
Benign (adenomas) or malignant (carcinomas) tumors within the adrenal glands can cause inappropriate production of cortisol.
Ectopic ACTH syndrome:
Some cancers (e.g., small mobile lung cancers and pancreatic tumors) produce ACTH outside the pituitary gland, primarily due to an excess cortisol layer.
Primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease (PPNAD):
An abnormal genetic condition in which small nodules within the adrenal glands cause overproduction of cortisol.
McCune-Albright syndrome:
A rare genetic disorder that causes overactive adrenal glands.
risk factor
Positive factors may further increase the likelihood of developing Cushing’s syndrome.
1. Drug-related
- Long-term use of high-dose corticosteroids for conditions such as:
- bronchial asthma
- rheumatoid arthritis
- inflammatory bowel disease
- Organ transplantation to save from rejection
2. Genetic predisposition
- Genetic diseases include:
- Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1)
- family carny is complicated
3. Possibility of tumor
- Predisposed to pituitary or adrenal gland tumors.
4. Most cancers
- Certain cancers (e.g., most small cell lung cancers) can cause ectopic ACTH syndrome.
Five. sex
- Women are at increased risk of developing Cushing’s syndrome, especially the syndrome caused by pituitary adenomas.
6. Age
- The maximum is usually diagnosed in adults between the ages of 20 and 50, but it can affect people of any age as well as infants.
Tests to determine the cause of high cortisol
Miles after it has been confirmed that you are producing too much cortisol, further testing may be needed to find the cause of the excess state. For example, is it due to a pituitary tumor (adenoma), an ectopic purpose of ACTH, or an adrenal gland?
Blood tests for cortisol and other hormones may also help determine the cause. This may involve drawing blood from an abnormal area of the body. CT scans of the pituitary gland, adrenal glands, or various components of the frame may also be required. Tests are usually very complex.
pyramidal sinus sampling
The petrosal sinus is a vein at the base of the skull that drains blood to the pituitary gland. Petrosal sinus sampling is a highly hazardous, unique, and accurate test for diagnosing Cushing’s disease and differentiating between pituitary and ectopic ACTH.
Catheters are placed in a vein in each leg and threaded into the jugular veins on either side of the neck. Small catheters are then passed through each of these catheters into the petrosal sinuses on either side of the pituitary gland. Blood samples are taken from both catheters in addition to the blood circulating through the frame to adjust the hormone layers.
Surgical treatment of pituitary adenoma
If you have a pituitary adenoma, the most common treatment is surgical removal. This is achieved using very good devices. A health care provider can access the pituitary gland through a small reduction behind the upper lip, just above the front teeth (sometimes from inside the nostrils).
The gadget passes through the base of the skull – the sphenoid bone. Therefore, this surgery is called “transsphenoidal surgery” and is completed with less than the recommended anesthetic. The goal is to remove the adenoma and leave the rest of the pituitary gland intact.
Removal of the adenoma changes the level of cortisol in the body from high to almost zero. Therefore, after a surgical procedure, the pituitary gland must take a medication called hydrocortisone (similar to cortisol) for several months. I’ll go back to regular.
Furthermore, it takes many months for the skeleton to realign and for signs and symptoms to gradually appear. The operation is successful in approximately 8 out of 10 cases. Your doctor will make recommendations about complications that may occur from time to time. For example:
In some cases, surgery may further damage other components of the pituitary gland. This may subtract the production of some other hormones. In these cases, you can take another hormone therapy.
In some cases, it is not always feasible to remove all cells that produce excess ACTH. If this occurs and ACTH remains excessive after surgical treatment, options include a second surgery or other corrections as indicated below.
