Animal bodies are a marvel of interactions between organs and systems kept in balance by the production of enzymes that aid in metabolic processes and hormones that regulate body functions. When the balance is disturbed by illness, injury, or advancing age, the body goes awry: Cortisol affects the function of many organs in the body, so the signs of Cushing's disease may be varied. Hair loss caused by Cushing's disease occurs primarily on the body, sparing the head and legs. The skin is not usually itchy as it is with other skin diseases. People who have been diagnosed with depression, alcoholism, malnutrition and panic attacks tend to have higher cortisol levels as well. These types of Cushing's may be called Pseudo-Cushing's. With inflammation, the enzymes are excreted into the bloodstream and abdominal cavity instead of the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in a severe illness associated with vomiting, abdominal pain, peritonitis (inflammation of the abdominal cavity), and loss of protein into the abdominal cavity. When too much cortisol is produced in the adrenal glands, or an excess is taken in treating other diseases, significant changes occur in all of the tissues and organs of the body. All of these effects together are called Cushing's Syndrome.
Causes of Cushings Disease
The common Cause of Cushings Disease :- A benign or malignant growth within the adrenal gland itself, which produces cortisol;
- Production within another part of the body (ectopic production) of a hormone that directly or indirectly stimulates the adrenal gland to make cortisol.
- Adrenal tumors
- An abnormal growth of the pituitary gland associated with an excessive production of one of its hormones, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which stimulates the adrenal gland .
- Familial Cushing's syndrome.
- Symptoms of glucocorticoid excess generally occur with the administration of oral steroids; however, occasionally injections of steroids into joints and the use of steroid inhalers can cause Cushing syndrome.
- Patients who have undergone organ transplants also are at risk for developing Cushing syndrome due to exogenous steroids required as part of graft antirejection medication regimens.
- Long-term use of medication resembling cortisol (corticosteroids).
Symptoms of Cushings Disease
Some common Symptoms of Cushings Disease :- Absence of menstruation (amenorrhea).
- You often get skin infections or other infections, and they take longer to heal.
- High blood pressure ( hypertension ).
- Fatigue.
- Pink or purple stretch marks may form on your skin.
- Women usually have irregular menstrual periods and may grow thick or more visible body hair.
- Fever
- Sensation of abdominal "fullness".
- Seizures.
- Vomiting.
Treatmnent of Cushings Disease
- The best treatment for ectopic Cushing's syndrome is surgical removal of the tumor.
- The treatment for exogenous Cushing syndrome is gradual withdrawal of glucocorticoid.
- Gradual withdrawal of cortisone-type drugs (under close medical supervision)
- Bilateral adrenalectomy is an option if transsphenoidal surgery, pituitary irradiation, and medical therapy fail or if rapid normalization of cortisol levels is required. The patient then requires lifelong glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid therapy.
- Patients receiving these medications may require glucocorticoid replacement to avoid adrenal insufficiency. Patients should be counseled on the signs and symptoms of adrenal insufficiency when starting these drugs.
- Drugs that inhibit cortisol synthesis - metyrapone, ketoconazole, aminoglutethimide. Indicated when case is not amenable to surgery.
- External beam irraidation of the pituitary - slow response and restricted when surgery unsuccessful, contraindicated or not acceptable to patient.
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