Cushing’s syndrome is also called as hyperadrenocorticism or hypercorticism which is a hormonal (endocrine) disorder caused by prolonged exposure of the body’s tissues to high levels of cortisol (hypercortisolism) in the blood.
It is relatively rare and most commonly affects adults aged 20 to 50.

An estimated 10 to 15 of every million people are affected each year.

Function of Cortisol:

Cortisol performs vital tasks in the body.They are:

a.It helps to maintain blood pressure and cardiovascular function.
b.Reduces the immune system’s inflammatory response.
c.balances the effects of insulin in breaking down sugar for energy and
d.regulates the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.
e.One of cortisol’s most important function is to help the body respond to stress.

People suffering from depression, alcoholism, malnutrition and panic disorders also have increased cortisol levels.

Causes:

1.Taking of glucocorticoid hormones.
2.Overproduction of cortisol by the body.
3.Pituitary Adenomas
4.Ectopic ACTH[Adrenocorticotropic harmone] Syndrome

Some benign or malignant (cancerous) tumors that arise outside the pituitary can produce ACTH. This condition is known as ectopic ACTH syndrome.

5.Adrenal Tumors
6.Familial Cushing’s Syndrome

Rarely, however some individuals have special causes of Cushing’s syndrome due to an inherited tendency to develop tumors of one or more endocrine glands.

Symptoms:

1.Upper body obesity
2.Rounded face
3.Increased fat around the neck
4.Thinning of arms and legs
5.Skin symptoms are

-becomes thin and fragile
-bruises easily
-poor healing tendency
-Purplish pink stretch marks may appear on the abdomen, thighs, buttocks, arms and breasts

6.Weakness of bones leads to fractures
7.Severe fatigue
8.Weak muscles
9.High blood pressure and high blood sugar
10.Irritability, anxiety and depression
11.Women usually have excess hair growth on their faces, necks, chests, abdomens, and thighs.
12.Their menstrual periods may become irregular or stop.
13.Men have decreased fertility with diminished or absent desire for sex.

The best way to avoid any disorders of the endocrine is to do meditation and also doing the regular exercise with good diet and rest. Most of the cases the meditation will help a lot that will bring the balance in the body.

Diagnosis:

Diagnosis is based on a review of the patient’s medical history, physical examination and laboratory tests.

a.x-ray exams of the adrenal or pituitary glands are useful for locating the tumors.
b.CT-scan
c.MRI
d.24-Hour Urinary Free Cortisol Level

This is the most specific diagnostic test.
The patient’s urine is collected over a 24-hour period and tested for the amount of cortisol.
Levels higher than 50-100 micrograms a day for an adult suggest Cushing’s syndrome.

e.Dexamethasone Suppression Test

This test helps to distinguish patients with excess production of ACTH due to pituitary adenomas from those with ectopic ACTH-producing tumors.

Complications:

1.Fractures
2.Type 2 diabetis
3.Obesity
4.Osteoporosis
5.Hypertension
6.Kidney stones

Treatment:

Treatment depends on the specific reason for cortisol excess, include:

a.Surgery
b.Radiation
c.Chemotherapy and
d.Use of cortisol-inhibiting drugs.

Homeopathic Remedies:

1.Argentum nitricum:

Given for patients with:

a.weakness and trembling
b.irritable
c.anxious
d.depression

2.Kalium phosphoricum:

Given for patients with:

a.nervousness
b.oversensitivity
c.excitability
d.difficulty in concentrating

3.Gelsemium:

Given for patients with:

a.slow pulse
b.weak muscles
c.dizziness
d.fatigue
e.complaints worse in damp and cold weather
f.wants to be alone

Author Bio: Dr Guptha faculty for the medical billing training

Category: Medicines and Remedies
Keywords: medical, coding, billing, training,