Cushings Disease
Cushing Disease
Causes: Cushing's disease is a hormonal disorder caused by prolonged exposure of the body's tissues to excessive levels of the hormone cortisol. This disease in comparison is rare and the most commonly affected victims by this disease are adults aged 20 to 50. It’s estimated 10 to 15 of every million people are affected each year.
Symptoms: Symptoms may vary, but most victims have upper body obesity, rounded face, increased fat around the neck, and thinning arms and legs. Children seem to only be obese with sluggish growth rates.
Other symptoms and signs appear in the skin, which becomes delicate and thin. The skin gets damaged easily and heals slowly. Purple/ pink stretch marks might appear on the butt, breasts, abdomen, arms and thighs. The bones are weakened and daily tasks such as bending, lifting, pushing or getting up from a chair can end with backaches, rib and spinal column fractures.
Most victims have severe fatigue, weak muscles, high blood pressure and high blood sugar. Irritability, anxiety and depression are also known to occur.
Women that are affected normally have excess hair growth on their faces, thighs, chests, abdomens, and necks. Their menstrual periods may become irregular or stop. Men have decreased fertility with less desire for sexual activities.
Treatment: Treatment for Cushing’s disease depends on the specific reason for excess cortisol and may include radiation, surgery, chemotherapy, or the use of certain drugs. If the cause is long-term use of glucocorticoid hormones to treat another disorder, the doctor will gradually reduce the dosage to the lowest dose necessary for control of that disease. Once control has been done, the normal dose of glucocorticoid hormones may duplicate and be given on alternate days to reduce the side effects. In some cases, non- corticosteroid drugs can be prescribed to the
Causes: Cushing's disease is a hormonal disorder caused by prolonged exposure of the body's tissues to excessive levels of the hormone cortisol. This disease in comparison is rare and the most commonly affected victims by this disease are adults aged 20 to 50. It’s estimated 10 to 15 of every million people are affected each year.
Symptoms: Symptoms may vary, but most victims have upper body obesity, rounded face, increased fat around the neck, and thinning arms and legs. Children seem to only be obese with sluggish growth rates.
Other symptoms and signs appear in the skin, which becomes delicate and thin. The skin gets damaged easily and heals slowly. Purple/ pink stretch marks might appear on the butt, breasts, abdomen, arms and thighs. The bones are weakened and daily tasks such as bending, lifting, pushing or getting up from a chair can end with backaches, rib and spinal column fractures.
Most victims have severe fatigue, weak muscles, high blood pressure and high blood sugar. Irritability, anxiety and depression are also known to occur.
Women that are affected normally have excess hair growth on their faces, thighs, chests, abdomens, and necks. Their menstrual periods may become irregular or stop. Men have decreased fertility with less desire for sexual activities.
Treatment: Treatment for Cushing’s disease depends on the specific reason for excess cortisol and may include radiation, surgery, chemotherapy, or the use of certain drugs. If the cause is long-term use of glucocorticoid hormones to treat another disorder, the doctor will gradually reduce the dosage to the lowest dose necessary for control of that disease. Once control has been done, the normal dose of glucocorticoid hormones may duplicate and be given on alternate days to reduce the side effects. In some cases, non- corticosteroid drugs can be prescribed to the