- Symptoms of Cushing's Syndrome
- How to relieve symptoms
- How the treatment is done
- Possible complications
- Main causes
Cushing's syndrome is a disease that occurs due to the high amount of cortisol in the blood, causing symptoms such as rapid weight gain and accumulation of fat in the abdominal region and face, in addition to the development of red streaks on the body and oily skin prone to acne., for example.
The diagnosis of this syndrome, also known as hypercortisolism, can be done through a blood test, urine or magnetic resonance, but it is not always easy to reach the diagnosis because it is common for the disease to be confused with other diseases such as obesity and depression.
Cushing's syndrome is curable and it can be achieved by eliminating the cause of the disease, however, it is necessary to do specific treatment such as reducing the consumption of corticosteroids or in the case of a tumor it may be necessary to have surgery to remove the tumor.
Symptoms of Cushing's Syndrome
The most characteristic symptom of this syndrome is the moon face and the accumulation of fat in the abdominal region. In addition, other symptoms related to Cushing's syndrome are:
- Thin arms and legs; Appearance of wide and red stretch marks; Development of hair on the face, especially in the case of women; Increased pressure; Diabetes; Decreased libido and fertility; Muscular weakness; Emergence of purple spots.
The diagnosis of Cushing's Syndrome must be made by the endocrinologist through the assessment of symptoms and laboratory tests, such as the measurement of cortisol in urine and blood, in addition to ACTH and MRI to check for the presence of a tumor. Know other symptoms of Cushing's Syndrome and how the diagnosis is made.
How to relieve symptoms
To reduce the symptoms of the disease it is important to maintain a diet low in salt and sugar and eat fruit and vegetables daily because they are foods rich in vitamins and minerals and that help to strengthen the immune system. In addition, it is important to avoid polluted and crowded places to decrease the chances of infections.
How the treatment is done
Treatment for Cushing's Syndrome should be guided by the endocrinologist and varies depending on the cause of the syndrome. When the disease is caused by the prolonged use of corticosteroids, a decrease in the dose of the medication is indicated, according to the doctor's guidance and, if possible, its suspension.
When Cushing's syndrome is caused by a tumor, treatment usually includes surgery to remove the tumor and then undergo radiotherapy or chemotherapy. In addition, before surgery or when the tumor cannot be removed, the doctor may recommend that the patient take medication to control cortisol production.
Possible complications
When the treatment of Cushing's syndrome is not carried out, there is a risk of death due to hormonal lack of control. In addition, having high blood pressure and blood sugar for a long time can cause complications such as poor kidney function or difficulty seeing.
Main causes
The most frequent causes of Cushing's syndrome include prolonged use and high doses of medications such as corticosteroids, which are generally used to treat inflammations such as lupus, asthma and rheumatoid arthritis, for example. See more changes that corticosteroids can cause.
In addition, it can also occur due to the presence of a tumor in the pituitary gland, which is found in the brain, leading to deregulation in the production of ACTH and, consequently, an increase in the production of cortisol, which can be detected in high concentrations in the blood. Know what the hormone cortisol is for.
