Cushing’s syndrome is a rare disease caused by a hormonal disorder that involves an elevated production of the hormone cortisol. It was described by the American neurosurgeon Harvey Cushing, after whom it is named.
This pathology has a very low incidence, only presenting 10 cases per million inhabitants per year, according to data from the Spanish Society of Endocrinology and Nutrition (SEEN).
Causes of Cushing’s syndrome
- Under normal conditions, the hormone cortisol or hydrocortisone is produced by the adrenal gland and performs vital functions such as increasing blood sugar concentration, is involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins, and suppresses the immune system.
- Cushing’s syndrome is characterized by the exaggerated production of cortisol, which leads to hormonal disorders with serious repercussions for health. There are various pathologies that cause the appearance of the syndrome, the most important being pituitary adenoma and adrenal tumor. But, according to the SEEN, the most frequent cause is the intake of corticosteroid drugs.
Symptoms and treatment of Cushing’s syndrome
- The symptoms of excess cortisol in the body do not manifest equally in all patients, since it depends on the sensitivity of the tissues to the effect of this hormone.
- In general, Cushing’s syndrome presents with obesity, especially with accumulation of fat in the facial area, neck, and abdomen, thinness in the extremities, high blood pressure, bruising, acne, and body hair, menstrual disorders, and muscle weakness.
- Regarding treatment, it will depend on the causes of the syndrome. If it is due to the intake of medication with corticosteroids, they should be withdrawn if the pathology for which they are taken allows it. The adrenal tumor and the pituitary adenoma require surgical intervention to be removed. These techniques will reduce the normal production of cortisol, so they must be accompanied by hormone replacement therapy.
