Cortisol Tips

The adrenal glands are present above the kidneys (hence the name) and produce an important hormone known as cortisol. Cortisol is responsible for regulating multiple body functions, including controlling blood pressure, protein and carbohydrate metabolism, and anti-inflammatory response, and stress management.

Under natural circumstances, the body produces excessive cortisol in the following situations:
Physically stressing situations like illness, surgery, injury, pregnancy, etc.

Emotionally stressed situations
Alcoholism
Athletic training
Malnutrition
Depression
Panic disorders
Causes: Cushing s syndrome is a group of symptoms that manifest when there is too much cortisol in the body. It is more common in women than men, in the age group of 25 to 40. Some of the common causes of Cushing s syndrome are listed below:

Consuming too much of prednisone (and other steroids) or for prolonged periods can cause Cushing s syndrome. These are strong anti-inflammatory medications and are used in asthma, arthritis, lupus, transplants, etc., to control the body s inflammation reaction. It is therefore advisable to use topical steroids than oral steroids or injections as their effects are more noticeable and severe.
Adrenal gland tumors can cause excessive production of cortisol.
Pituitary gland tumors or adenomas also can also cause excessive production of cortisol, leading to Cushing s syndrome.
The first type is known as exogenous Cushing s disease and the others are known as endogenous Cushing s disease.
Signs and symptoms: Cushing s disease produces characteristic features which are referred to as the Cushingoid appearance. These features include the following:

A rounded, plump face with a pinkish hue
A moon face, with fat deposits on the face
A buffalo hump with fat deposits between the shoulders
Stretch marks on the abdomen, thighs, and arms
Weak muscles, especially in the hips and shoulder
Significant weight gain
Skin that gets thin and bruises easily
Extreme tiredness
High blood pressure
High blood sugar
Thin arms and legs
Delayed healing of cuts and injuries
Increased facial hair in women
Menstrual disorders
Reduced libido, infertility, and erectile dysfunction in men
Emotional issues like depression, anxiety, irritability
Increased thirst and urination
Bone loss, and eventually fractures
Affected bone growth in the developing years
Increased susceptibility to infections
Complications: Untreated Cushing s disease can lead to bone fractures, hypertension, full-blown infections, kidney stones, etc.

Treatment: This would depend on the cause. If you are on long-term steroids, the dose would need to be adjusted. This should always be done under medical supervision, as it requires constant adjustment. Underlying tumors (pituitary or adrenal) need to be diagnosed and treated. There are other hormones too which come into the picture and need to be monitored.

Cushing s syndrome occurs due to abnormally high levels of the hormone cortisol. This can happen for a variety of reasons. The most common cause is overuse of corticosteroid medications.

Causes:

Your adrenal glands produce cortisol. It helps with a number of your body s functions, including:

regulating blood pressure and the cardiovascular system

reducing the immune system s inflammatory response

converting carbohydrates, fats, and proteins into energy

balancing the effects of insulin

responding to stress

Your body may produce high levels of cortisol for a variety of reasons, including:

high-stress levels, including stress related to an acute illness, surgery, injury, or pregnancy, especially in the final trimester

athletic training

malnutrition

alcoholism

depression, panic disorders, or high levels of emotional stress

The most common cause of Cushing s syndrome is the use of corticosteroid medications, such as prednisone, in high doses for a long period. High doses of injectable steroids for treatment of back pain can also cause this syndrome.

Other causes include:

a pituitary gland tumor in which the pituitary gland releases too much adrenocorticotropic hormone, which is also known as Cushing s disease

ectopic ACTH syndrome, which causes tumors that usually occur in the lung, pancreas, thyroid, or thymus gland

an adrenal gland abnormality or tumor

Symptoms of Cushing s Syndrome:

The most common symptoms of this condition are:

weight gain
obesity
fatty deposits, especially in the midsection, the face and between the shoulders and the upper back (causing a buffalo hump)
purple stretch marks on the breasts, arms, abdomen, and thighs
thinning skin that bruises easily
skin injuries that are slow to heal
acne
fatigue
muscle weakness
increased thirst
increased urination
bone loss
depression
an increased incidence of infections
Women may also notice extra facial and body hair, as well as absent or irregular menstruation.

Men may also have:

erectile dysfunction
a loss of sexual interest
decreased fertility
Children with this condition are generally obese and have a slower rate of growth.

The adrenal glands are present above the kidneys (hence the name) and produces an important hormone known as cortisol. Cortisol is responsible for regulating multiple body functions, including controlling the blood pressure, protein and carbohydrate metabolism, and anti-inflammatory response, and stress management.

Under natural circumstances, the body produces excessive cortisol in the following situations:
Physically stressing situations like illness, surgery, injury, pregnancy, etc.

Emotionally stressed situations
Alcoholism
Athletic training
Malnutrition
Depression
Panic disorders
Causes: Cushing s syndrome is a group of symptoms that manifest when there is too much cortisol in the body. It is more common in women than men, in the age group of 25 to 40. Some of the common causes for Cushing s syndrome are listed below:

Consuming too much of prednisone (and other steroids) or for prolonged periods can cause Cushing s syndrome. These are strong anti-inflammatory medications and are used in asthma, arthritis, lupus, transplants, etc., to control the body s inflammation reaction. It is therefore advisable to use topical steroids than oral steroids or injections as their effects are more noticeable and severe.
Adrenal gland tumours can cause excessive production of cortisol.
Pituitary gland tumours or adenomas also can also cause excessive production of cortisol, leading to Cushing s syndrome.
The first type is known as exogenous Cushing s disease and the others are known as endogenous Cushing s disease.
Signs and symptoms: Cushing s disease produces characteristic features which are referred to as the Cushingoid appearance. These features include the following:

A rounded, plump face with a pinkish hue
A moon face, with fat deposits on the face
A buffalo hump with fat deposits between the shoulders
Stretch marks on the abdomen, thighs, and arms
Weak muscles, especially in the hips and shoulder
Significant weight gain
Skin that gets thin and bruises easily
Extreme tiredness
High blood pressure
High blood sugar
Thin arms and legs
Delayed healing of cuts and injuries
Increased facial hair in women
Menstrual disorders
Reduced libido, infertility, and erectile dysfunction in men
Emotional issues like depression, anxiety, irritability
Increased thirst and urination
Bone loss, and eventually fractures
Affected bone growth in the developing years
Increased susceptibility to infections
Complications: Untreated Cushing s disease can lead to bone fractures, hypertension, full-blown infections, kidney stones, etc.

Treatment: This would depend on the cause. If you are on long-term steroids, the dose would need to be adjusted. This should always be done under medical supervision, as it requires constant adjustment. Underlying tumours (pituitary or adrenal) need to be diagnosed and treated. There are other hormones too which come into the picture and need to be monitored.

Cushing syndrome or round face syndrome, as some like to call it, is a hormonal disorder that is relatively uncommon. It is all about the stress hormone called Cortisol and how it can throw off the body systems. Read on to know the causes and symptoms of this disorder. But first of all, let us know what exactly is the Cushing syndrome?

When an individual's body is exposed more to a particular hormone called Cortisol, he/she may develop a condition called as Cushing syndrome. This can lead to unusual and uncomfortable symptoms. However, this condition of hypercortisolism is completely curable and the patients can continue to lead a normal life. Cushing syndrome is more common in women than in men and occurs mostly between the age of 25 to 40.

Symptoms of cushing syndrome

Excessive weight gain and obesity
Fatty deposits that tend to accumulate in the midsection, face (causing moon facies) or between the shoulders and upper back causing a hump
Fatigue and muscle weakness
Thinning skin that is prone to bruises easily
Purple stretch marks on the arms, thighs, abdomen and breast
Cognitive dysfunction with increased anxiety, irritability and depression
Women can experience extra facial and body hair with irregular or absent periods
High blood pressure and high blood sugar levels
Low sex drive and erectile dysfunction
Weak bones and osteoporosis
Children with this ailment tend to obese and experience a slow growth rate
Causes of Cushing Syndrome
As mentioned above the major cause of Cushing syndrome is the high production of Cortisol. This hormone is produced by the adrenal gland that sits on top of your kidneys. The prime reasons for the over-production of Cortisol can be:

High-stress levels
Malnutrition
Alcoholism
Depression, panic disorder and high levels of emotional stress
Athletic training
Also, another prime cause of this syndrome is the use of corticosteroid medications, such as prednisone, in high doses for a long period. These prescriptions are often given for conditions of asthma, organ transplant, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. A tumor in the pituitary gland that is located at the base of the brain or a tumor in the adrenal glands can also lead to excessive production of Cortisol, thereby leading to Cushing Syndrome.

Diagnosis and treatment
Diagnosis is done by your doctor to determine the cause of the excess production of the hormone. Tests can include:

Blood Test or imaging scans
Dexamethasone suppression test
24-hour urinary free cortisol test
Late-night salivary cortisol level
Treatment will vary with the actual cause of the disorder. Medications to decrease cortisol levels or block them can be given.

The adrenal glands are present above the kidneys (hence the name) and produces an important hormone known as cortisol. Cortisol is responsible for regulating multiple body functions, including controlling the blood pressure, protein and carbohydrate metabolism, and anti-inflammatory response, and stress management.

Under natural circumstances, the body produces excessive cortisol in the following situations:

Physically stressing situations like illness, surgery, injury, pregnancy, etc.

Emotionally stressed situations
Alcoholism
Athletic training
Malnutrition
Depression
Panic disorders
Causes: Cushing s syndrome is a group of symptoms that manifest when there is too much cortisol in the body. It is more common in women than men, in the age group of 25 to 40. Some of the common causes of Cushing s syndrome are listed below:

Consuming too much of prednisone (and other steroids) or for prolonged periods can cause Cushing s syndrome. These are strong anti-inflammatory medications and are used in asthma, arthritis, lupus, transplants, etc., to control the body s inflammation reaction. It is therefore advisable to use topical steroids than oral steroids or injections as their effects are more noticeable and severe.
Adrenal gland tumours can cause excessive production of cortisol.
Pituitary gland tumours or adenomas also can also cause excessive production of cortisol, leading to Cushing s syndrome.
The first type is known as exogenous Cushing s disease and the others are known as endogenous Cushing s disease.

Signs and symptoms: Cushing s disease produces characteristic features which are referred to as the Cushingoid appearance. These features include the following:

A rounded, plump face with a pinkish hue
A moon face, with fat deposits on the face
A buffalo hump with fat deposits between the shoulders
Stretch marks on the abdomen, thighs, and arms
Weak muscles, especially in the hips and shoulder
Significant weight gain
Skin that gets thin and bruises easily
Extreme tiredness
High blood pressure
High blood sugar
Thin arms and legs
Delayed healing of cuts and injuries
Increased facial hair in women
Menstrual disorders
Reduced libido, infertility, and erectile dysfunction in men
Emotional issues like depression, anxiety, irritability
Increased thirst and urination
Bone loss, and eventually fractures
Affected bone growth in the developing years
Increased susceptibility to infections
Complications: Untreated Cushing s disease can lead to bone fractures, hypertension, full-blown infections, kidney stones, etc.

Treatment: This would depend on the cause. If you are on long-term steroids, the dose would need to be adjusted. This should always be done under medical supervision, as it requires constant adjustment. Underlying tumours (pituitary or adrenal) need to be diagnosed and treated. There are other hormones too which come into the picture and need to be monitored.

The adrenal glands are present above the kidneys (hence the name) and produces an important hormone known as cortisol. Cortisol is responsible for regulating multiple body functions, including controlling the blood pressure, protein and carbohydrate metabolism, and anti-inflammatory response, and stress management.

Under natural circumstances, the body produces excessive cortisol in the following situations:
Physically stressing situations like illness, surgery, injury, pregnancy, etc.

Emotionally stressed situations
Alcoholism
Athletic training
Malnutrition
Depression
Panic disorders
Causes: Cushing s syndrome is a group of symptoms that manifest when there is too much cortisol in the body. It is more common in women than men, in the age group of 25 to 40. Some of the common causes for Cushing s syndrome are listed below:

Consuming too much of prednisone (and other steroids) or for prolonged periods can cause Cushing s syndrome. These are strong anti-inflammatory medications and are used in asthma, arthritis, lupus, transplants, etc., to control the body s inflammation reaction. It is therefore advisable to use topical steroids than oral steroids or injections as their effects are more noticeable and severe.
Adrenal gland tumours can cause excessive production of cortisol.
Pituitary gland tumours or adenomas also can also cause excessive production of cortisol, leading to Cushing s syndrome.
The first type is known as exogenous Cushing s disease and the others are known as endogenous Cushing s disease.
Signs and symptoms: Cushing s disease produces characteristic features which are referred to as the Cushingoid appearance. These features include the following:

A rounded, plump face with a pinkish hue
A moon face, with fat deposits on the face
A buffalo hump with fat deposits between the shoulders
Stretch marks on the abdomen, thighs, and arms
Weak muscles, especially in the hips and shoulder
Significant weight gain
Skin that gets thin and bruises easily
Extreme tiredness
High blood pressure
High blood sugar
Thin arms and legs
Delayed healing of cuts and injuries
Increased facial hair in women
Menstrual disorders
Reduced libido, infertility, and erectile dysfunction in men
Emotional issues like depression, anxiety, irritability
Increased thirst and urination
Bone loss, and eventually fractures
Affected bone growth in the developing years
Increased susceptibility to infections
Complications: Untreated Cushing s disease can lead to bone fractures, hypertension, full-blown infections, kidney stones, etc.

Treatment: This would depend on the cause. If you are on long-term steroids, the dose would need to be adjusted. This should always be done under medical supervision, as it requires constant adjustment. Underlying tumours (pituitary or adrenal) need to be diagnosed and treated. There are other hormones too which come into the picture and need to be monitored.

The adrenal glands are present above the kidneys (hence the name) and produces an important hormone known as cortisol. Cortisol is responsible for regulating multiple body functions, including controlling the blood pressure, protein and carbohydrate metabolism, and anti-inflammatory response, and stress management.

Under natural circumstances, the body produces excessive cortisol in the following situations:
Physically stressing situations like illness, surgery, injury, pregnancy, etc.

Emotionally stressed situations
Alcoholism
Athletic training
Malnutrition
Depression
Panic disorders
Causes: Cushing s syndrome is a group of symptoms that manifest when there is too much cortisol in the body. It is more common in women than men, in the age group of 25 to 40. Some of the common causes for Cushing s syndrome are listed below:

Consuming too much of prednisone (and other steroids) or for prolonged periods can cause Cushing s syndrome. These are strong anti-inflammatory medications and are used in asthma, arthritis, lupus, transplants, etc., to control the body s inflammation reaction. It is therefore advisable to use topical steroids than oral steroids or injections as their effects are more noticeable and severe.
Adrenal gland tumours can cause excessive production of cortisol.
Pituitary gland tumours or adenomas also can also cause excessive production of cortisol, leading to Cushing s syndrome.
The first type is known as exogenous Cushing s disease and the others are known as endogenous Cushing s disease.
Signs and symptoms: Cushing s disease produces characteristic features which are referred to as the Cushingoid appearance. These features include the following:



A rounded, plump face with a pinkish hue
A moon face, with fat deposits on the face
A buffalo hump with fat deposits between the shoulders
Stretch marks on the abdomen, thighs, and arms
Weak muscles, especially in the hips and shoulder
Significant weight gain
Skin that gets thin and bruises easily
Extreme tiredness
High blood pressure
High blood sugar
Thin arms and legs
Delayed healing of cuts and injuries
Increased facial hair in women
Menstrual disorders
Reduced libido, infertility, and erectile dysfunction in men
Emotional issues like depression, anxiety, irritability
Increased thirst and urination
Bone loss, and eventually fractures
Affected bone growth in the developing years
Increased susceptibility to infections
Complications: Untreated Cushing s disease can lead to bone fractures, hypertension, full-blown infections, kidney stones, etc.

Treatment: This would depend on the cause. If you are on long-term steroids, the dose would need to be adjusted. This should always be done under medical supervision, as it requires constant adjustment. Underlying tumours (pituitary or adrenal) need to be diagnosed and treated. There are other hormones too which come into the picture and need to be monitored.

Cushing s syndrome occurs due to abnormally high levels of the hormone cortisol. This can happen for a variety of reasons. The most common cause is overuse of corticosteroid medications.

Causes:

Your adrenal glands produce cortisol. It helps with a number of your body s functions, including:

regulating blood pressure and the cardiovascular system

reducing the immune system s inflammatory response

converting carbohydrates, fats, and proteins into energy

balancing the effects of insulin

responding to stress

Your body may produce high levels of cortisol for a variety of reasons, including:

high stress levels, including stress related to an acute illness, surgery, injury, or pregnancy, especially in the final trimester

athletic training

malnutrition

alcoholism

depression, panic disorders, or high levels of emotional stress

The most common cause of Cushing s syndrome is the use of corticosteroid medications, such as prednisone, in high doses for a long period. High doses of injectable steroids for treatment of back pain can also cause this syndrome.

Other causes include:

a pituitary gland tumor in which the pituitary gland releases too much adrenocorticotropic hormone, which is also known as Cushing s disease

ectopic ACTH syndrome, which causes tumors that usually occur in the lung, pancreas, thyroid, or thymus gland

an adrenal gland abnormality or tumor

Symptoms of Cushing s Syndrome:

The most common symptoms of this condition are:

weight gain
obesity
fatty deposits, especially in the midsection, the face and between the shoulders and the upper back (causing a buffalo hump)
purple stretch marks on the breasts, arms, abdomen, and thighs
thinning skin that bruises easily
skin injuries that are slow to heal
acne
fatigue
muscle weakness
increased thirst
increased urination
bone loss
depression
an increased incidence of infections
Women may also notice extra facial and body hair, as well as absent or irregular menstruation.

Men may also have:

erectile dysfunction
a loss of sexual interest
decreased fertility
Children with this condition are generally obese and have a slower rate of growth.

Cushing s syndrome occurs due to abnormally high levels of the hormone cortisol. This can happen for a variety of reasons. The most common cause is overuse of corticosteroid medications.

Causes:

Your adrenal glands produce cortisol. It helps with a number of your body s functions, including:

regulating blood pressure and the cardiovascular system

reducing the immune system s inflammatory response

converting carbohydrates, fats, and proteins into energy

balancing the effects of insulin

responding to stress

Your body may produce high levels of cortisol for a variety of reasons, including:

high stress levels, including stress related to an acute illness, surgery, injury, or pregnancy, especially in the final trimester

athletic training

malnutrition

alcoholism

depression, panic disorders, or high levels of emotional stress

The most common cause of Cushing s syndrome is the use of corticosteroid medications, such as prednisone, in high doses for a long period. High doses of injectable steroids for treatment of back pain can also cause this syndrome.

Other causes include:

a pituitary gland tumor in which the pituitary gland releases too much adrenocorticotropic hormone, which is also known as Cushing s disease

ectopic ACTH syndrome, which causes tumors that usually occur in the lung, pancreas, thyroid, or thymus gland

an adrenal gland abnormality or tumor

Symptoms of Cushing s Syndrome:

The most common symptoms of this condition are:

weight gain
obesity
fatty deposits, especially in the midsection, the face and between the shoulders and the upper back (causing a buffalo hump)
purple stretch marks on the breasts, arms, abdomen, and thighs
thinning skin that bruises easily
skin injuries that are slow to heal
acne
fatigue
muscle weakness
increased thirst
increased urination
bone loss
depression
an increased incidence of infections
Women may also notice extra facial and body hair, as well as absent or irregular menstruation.

Men may also have:

erectile dysfunction
a loss of sexual interest
decreased fertility
Children with this condition are generally obese and have a slower rate of growth.

Cushing syndrome or round face syndrome, as some like to call it, is a hormonal disorder that is relatively uncommon. It is all about the stress hormone called Cortisol and how it can throw off the body systems. Read on to know the causes and symptoms of this disorder. But first of all, let us know what exactly is the Cushing syndrome?

When an individual's body is exposed more to a particular hormone called Cortisol, he/she may develop a condition called as Cushing syndrome. This can lead to unusual and uncomfortable symptoms. However, this condition of hypercortisolism is completely curable and the patients can continue to lead a normal life. Cushing syndrome is more common in women than in men and occurs mostly between the age of 25 to 40.

Symptoms of cushing syndrome

Excessive weight gain and obesity
Fatty deposits that tend to accumulate in the midsection, face (causing moon facies) or between the shoulders and upper back causing a hump
Fatigue and muscle weakness
Thinning skin that is prone to bruises easily
Purple stretch marks on the arms, thighs, abdomen and breast
Cognitive dysfunction with increased anxiety, irritability and depression
Women can experience extra facial and body hair with irregular or absent periods
High blood pressure and high blood sugar levels
Low sex drive and erectile dysfunction
Weak bones and osteoporosis
Children with this ailment tend to obese and experience slow growth rate
Causes of Cushing Syndrome
As mentioned above the major cause of Cushing syndrome is the high production of Cortisol. This hormone is produced by the adrenal gland that sits on top of your kidneys. The prime reasons of over-production of Cortisol can be:

High-stress levels
Malnutrition
Alcoholism
Depression, panic disorder and high levels of emotional stress
Athletic training
Also, another prime cause of this syndrome is the use of corticosteroid medications, such as prednisone, in high doses for a long period. These prescriptions are often given for conditions of asthma, organ transplant, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. A tumor in the pituitary gland that is located at the base of the brain or a tumor in the adrenal glands can also lead to excessive production of Cortisol, thereby leading to Cushing Syndrome.

Diagnosis and treatment
Diagnosis is done by your doctor to determine the cause of the excess production of the hormone. Tests can include:

Blood Test or imaging scans
Dexamethasone suppression test
24-hour urinary free cortisol test
Late-night salivary cortisol level
Treatment will vary with the actual cause of the disorder. Medications to decrease cortisol levels or block them can be given.