CUSHING’S SYNDROME

SYMPTOMS

The symptoms and signs of Cushing’s syndrome can differ, depending on the excess level of cortisol. Usual symptoms of this are:

• Visible purple or pink stretch marks on the arms, abdomen, breasts and thighs.
• Weight gain
• Fatty tissue, mostly around the upper back, face, and shoulders.
• Acne
• Slow healing of cuts
• Insect bites or infection
• Irregular menstrual periods
• Thicker facial or body hair
• Erectile dysfunction
• Decreased sex drive
• Fatigue
• Decreased fertility
• Muscle weakness
• Loss of emotional control
• Headache
• Skin darkening
• Anxiety and depression
• Bone loss

Go to your doctor if you experience any symptom related to Cushing’s syndrome, primarily if you are consuming corticosteroid drugs to treat a condition like arthritis, asthma, or inflammatory bowel disease.

DIAGNOSIS

To diagnose Cushing’s syndrome, your doctor may ask about your symptoms, medical history, or if you are taking corticosteroid medications. The doctor needs to examine every medication of you to figure out which one is causing the problem. 

This kind of syndrome can be hard to diagnose for it has similar symptoms to other health conditions.  Moreover, seeing an endocrinologist, a specialist in hormonal disorders, might be required. Additionally, your doctor will do a physical examination and find signs of Cushing’s syndrome. 

If you have not taken corticosteroid medications, these tests below might help determine the cause:

• Blood and urine tests
• Saliva test
• CT Scan or MRI
• Petrosal sinuses sampling

TREATMENT

The treatment for Cushing’s syndrome is created to lower the body’s cortisol level. Furthermore, the treatment will vary depending on the cause of your condition. Choices include:

• Decreasing corticosteroid use
• Surgery
• Radiation therapy
• Medications to control cortisol production

If any of these treatment choices are not effective or suitable, your doctor might suggest surgery to remove your adrenal glands.