Cushing's disease, also known as hypercortisolism, is an endocrine or hormonal disorder that results when the body experiences excessive amounts of the stress hormone cortisol over an extended period. Cortisol is an important hormone whose primary action likely is observed in the physiological stress response. Its chronic effects of immunosuppression (reducing the efficacy of the immune system) are well known. According to the Cushing's Support and Research Foundation, approximately 10 to15 people per million annually are affected by this disorder, which typically appears between 20 to 50 years of age and strikes women five times more often than men.
Cushings Image
Characteristic Symptoms
A common feature is a body shape characterized by upper body obesity with a "buffalo hump" or fatty mass of tissue between the shoulders, a round and red face with balding (female), and increased neck fat with thin arms and legs (see Cushing's Image in References).
Secondary Symptoms
Other signs and symptoms involve the skin. It becomes thin and discolored due to easy bruising, acne, poor healing ability of wounds and purple stretch marks (striae) that may appear in several parts of the body such as the stomach, buttocks and breasts. In addition, the individual may experience major fatigue, along with muscle weakness and bone fragility with fractures, hirsutism (excessive facial and body hair), vertigo (dizziness) and problems with vision.
Other
Emotional difficulties may present such as anxiety, depression, decreased interest in sex, or other problems that include frequently losing control of one's emotions. In males, sexual difficulty in the form of erectile dysfunction is common; in females, irregular or absent menstrual periods is a common sign. It's likely that a patient diagnosed with Cushing's also may be diagnosed with hypertension and/or hyperglycemia. Disturbances in sleep as well as cognitive problems may appear during the course of this disorder. Medication can help to reduce symptoms.
