The main symptoms related to Cushing's syndrome are accumulation of fat in the abdomen, back and face, in addition to the appearance of wide, red streaks and purple spots on the body. In addition to these symptoms, there may be some diseases associated with the condition, such as hypertension, osteoporosis and diabetes.
The diagnosis of this syndrome is made by the endocrinologist based on the symptoms presented by the patient and on laboratory and imaging tests, such as urine, blood, saliva and magnetic resonance imaging, for example.
Cushing's syndrome is a disease characterized by a high concentration of the hormone cortisol in the bloodstream, which may be due to chronic use of corticosteroid drugs or the presence of a tumor in the pituitary gland, leading to a deregulation in the production of this hormone. Understand what Cushing's syndrome is, causes and how treatment is done.
Main symptoms
The main symptoms related to Cushing's syndrome are:
- Large, round, reddish face, known as a full moon; Rapid weight gain; Excessive accumulation of fat in the abdominal region and upper back; Thin fingers, hands and feet compared to the body; Red or purple streaks on the skin, especially on the abdomen, thighs, breasts and arms; Thin skin, with bruising and purple spots appearing; Difficulty in healing wounds; Oily skin prone to acne; Irregularities in the menstrual cycle; Hair appearance on the body and face of women; Impotence, decreased fertility and libido in men; Tiredness; Anxiety attacks that suddenly appear; Irritable bowel syndrome; Increased pressure, leading to hypertension; Increased blood sugar, leading to the development of diabetes; Weakness of bones and increased risk of fractures, causing osteoporosis.
Generally, several symptoms appear at the same time and are more common in patients with diseases such as arthritis, asthma, lupus or after an organ transplant and who take corticosteroids for several months in high amounts. In the case of children with Cushing's Syndrome, slow growth with low height, increased facial and body hair and baldness can be noticed.
How the diagnosis is made
To find out if a person has Cushing's Syndrome it is necessary to evaluate the amount of the hormones cortisol and ACTH circulating in the body and to measure their quantity, a 24-hour urine test, saliva test and blood test must be performed. Understand the result of the ACTH exam.
In addition, a stimulation test with dexamethasone may be recommended by the doctor, which is a medication that should be taken according to the doctor's recommendation, to stimulate the functioning of the pituitary gland and, thus, assist the diagnosis. Due to the use of dexamethasone, it may be recommended that the person is admitted to the hospital for about 2 days.
In order to check for the presence of a tumor in the pituitary gland, the doctor may request the performance of computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, for example. In many cases, it is necessary to repeat the tests to confirm the diagnosis and start the correct treatment, as some symptoms are common to other diseases, which can make the diagnosis difficult.
How is the treatment
Treatment for Cushing's Syndrome varies according to the cause of the disease, and it is usually recommended to decrease the dose or discontinue corticosteroid medications according to medical advice.
In the case of the presence of a tumor, the most indicated treatment is the removal of the tumor through a surgical procedure followed by radiotherapy.
