ENLmedical.com: Conditions And Concerns: Medical Encyclopedia: Cushing's syndrome; exogenous

Cushing's syndrome; exogenous

Causes and Risks:
Cushing's syndrome is due to a condition of excess glucocorticoid hormone over a long period of time. There are several causes of Cushing's syndrome. Exogenous Cushing's syndrome is caused by chronic administration of corticosteroids--drugs commonly used to treat conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and asthma . Other causes are secretion of ACTH by a tumor in another organ known as ectopic Cushing's syndrome , oversecretion by the pituitary gland of the hormone adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and cortisol secreting adrenal tumors. The incidence of exogenous Cushing's syndrome is 4 out of 100,000 people.

Prevention:
Cushing's syndrome , due to chronic drug therapy, may be prevented by being aware of the associated symptoms, to encourage early detection and intervention.

Symptoms:

recent euphoria
moon face (round, red and full)
buffalo hump (a collection of fat between the shoulders)
central obesity with protruding abdomen and thin extremities
weight gain
weakness
backache
headache
acne or superficial skin infections
thirst
increased urination
purple striations on the skin of the abdomen, thighs, and breasts
mental changes
impotence or cessation of menses

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

Signs and Tests:

current use of cortisone, prednisone or other corticosteroids
fasting glucose is elevated
serum potassium may be low

Treatment:
The suggested treatment is slow withdrawal of corticosteroid therapy under medical supervision.

Prognosis:
The affects of adrenal atrophy caused by chronic drug administration should be reversible by withdrawing the drug.

Complications:
Cushing's syndrome symptoms can cause persistent discomfort.

Call Your Healthcare Provider:
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you are taking a corticosteroid drug and you develop symptoms of Cushing's syndrome .

The Buffalo hump is an accumulation of fat on the back of the neck and upper back. This condition can occur with oversecretion of cortisone by the adrenal gland, a condition called Cushing syndrome.

Excess cortisone, whether produced by the adrenal gland or introduced from an external source (medications or steroids, like Prednisone), can produce Cushing's disease with a "moon face" (round puffy appearance), acne, and central obesity (sparing the arms and legs).