Cushing Syndrome

Cushing Syndrome is a condition caused by having too much cortisol, a hormone produced by the adrenal glands that helps regulate many body functions. This excess cortisol affects the endocrine system and can lead to symptoms like weight gain, especially around the abdomen and face, high blood pressure, and changes in skin appearance such as thinning and easy bruising. People with this condition may also experience muscle weakness, mood changes, and increased risk of infections. The hormone imbalance disrupts normal body processes, causing significant health problems if untreated. Understanding the symptoms and effects of excess cortisol is important for recognizing this syndrome.

Cushing Syndrome is a clinical disorder characterized by chronic exposure to excessive levels of glucocorticoids, primarily cortisol, resulting from endogenous overproduction or exogenous administration. The most common endogenous cause is an ACTH-secreting pituitary adenoma (Cushing disease), while other causes include adrenal adenomas or carcinomas and ectopic ACTH production by non-pituitary tumors. The syndrome manifests with a constellation of signs including central obesity, moon facies, purple striae, hypertension, and glucose intolerance. The pathophysiology involves dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis leading to sustained hypercortisolism, which affects metabolism, immune function, and cardiovascular health. Recognition of these features is critical due to the syndrome’s association with increased morbidity and mortality.