Analysis Of Cushing 's Syndrome And Its Effects On The Body

According to http://www.webmd.com/, “the adrenal glands don't make enough of a hormone called cortisol, or less often, a related hormone called aldosterone.” That's why doctors sometimes call the illness ''chronic adrenal insufficiency,'' or hypocortisolism. “most important function is to help the body respond to stress. It also helps regulate your body's use of protein, carbohydrates, and fat; helps maintain blood pressure and cardiovascular function; and controls inflammation.” Aldosterone helps your kidneys regulate the amount of salt and water in your body -- the main way you regulate blood volume and keep your blood pressure under control. When aldosterone levels drop too low, your kidneys cannot keep your salt and water levels in balance. This makes your blood pressure drop. “There are two forms of Addison's disease. If the problem is with the adrenal glands themselves, it's called primary adrenal insufficiency. If the adrenal glands are affected by a problem starting somewhere else -- such as the pituitary gland -- it's called secondary adrenal

Cushing 's syndrome (CS) is characterized by pathologically elevated free glucocorticoid levels. Endogenous hypercortisolism is usually due to ACTH-secreting pituitary corticotropic adenomas and less often due to ectopic ACTH-secreting neuroendocrine neoplasms or ACTH-independent adrenal cortisol hypersecretion (Yaneva, 2010). Cushing 's disease occurs infrequently in an inherited setting in both of these conditions (Yaneva, 2010).

Different tests are usually performed to quantify the levels of cortisol, such as treating patients with dexamethasone. Dexamethasone acts like cortisol for the patient's body. Upon delivery to a patient who does not have adrenal tumor, the production of the cortisol will decrease. On the other hand if a patient has an adrenal tumor, then hormone levels will stay high even after receiving dexamethasone.

1. Cushing's disease is a hormonal disorder which is caused by prolonged exposure of the body's tissues to high levels of the hormone cortisol. It is sometimes referred to as hypercortisolism, it is fairly rare and it most commonly affects adults between the ages of 20 to 50. There is an estimated 10 to 15 of every million people who are affected every year.

Although I’ve never been to Cushing’s in Leavenworth it was great to learn more about the facility from your discussion post. Even though Cushing Hospital is a small facility it seems as though they do a great job taking care of patients. I thought the suggestions you gave were excellent and really could improve staff and patient outcomes. Providing more patient education about medications is a subject matter that I believe all health care facilities need to work on. Valentine et al (2013) states that achieving quality outcomes is a team sport and everyone has to be involved and willing to collaborate. This statement rings true because patient education is an issue that all staff members should be working on. When physicians prescribe a new

The adrenal glands, located above the kidneys, are where natural hormones and steroids that the body uses are secreted and regulated. These hormones and steroids come from either the adrenal cortex, or the adrenal medulla. Hormones from the cortex start at the pituitary gland where ACTH or adrenocorticotrophic hormone is secreted. “ The adrenal cortex secretes hormones known as corticosteroids, or cortical steroids.”( Rather, Spencer) There are three zones of the adrenal cortex, the zona glomerulosa, fasciulata, and reticularis. Each of these zones produce specific steroid hormones. Two main types of steroids among many others are Cortisol and Aldosterone. Cortisol is referred to as the stress hormone as it is involved in the response to stress and anxiety. Aldosterone increases reabsorption and retention of sodium and water in the kidneys. This process involves secretion of potassium and is stimulated by low blood sodium, this increases blood volume and

The cause of Addison’s disease is the result of the adrenal glands being damaged and producing insufficient amounts of cortisol and aldosterone as well. The adrenal glands are located just above the kidneys. Being part of the endocrine system, the adrenal glands produce hormones that give instructions to almost every organ and tissue in the body.

Cortisol is a glucocorticoid hormone secreted by the fasicularis layer of the adrenal cortex. One of the most common adrenal disorder is Cushing syndrome. Cushing syndrome is caused by elevated ACTH and subsequent excessive cortisol secretion. Major causes of Cushing syndrome involve ACTH-dependent, and ACTH-independent. ACTH-dependent includes ACTH-secreting pituitary adenoma, and ectopic ACTH, while ACTH-independent includes functioning adrenocortical tumor, and exogenous glucocorticoid administration.1 In ACTH-secreting pituitary adenoma, Cushing syndrome is the most common cause of noniatrogenic hypercortisolism accounts for about 60% of the cases. It is more prevalent in women than men with a diagnosed age around 20-40 years old. This

The basic cause for Equine Cushing's Disease is the lack of dopaminergic control within the intermediate lobe. As a result peptide hormones are overly secreted into the body. Melanotrophs of the intermediate lobe release pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) into the body. This is then split to form three hormones: α-melanocyte–stimulating hormone (α-MSH), β-endorphin (β-END)–related peptides and corticotropin-like intermediate peptide (CLIP). Normally, dopamine binds to 2 inhibitory receptors on the melanotrophs, stoping the production of hormones. This function is lacking in individuals with Equine Cushing's Disease. Consequentially hypertrophy, hyperplasia, and over production of POMC peptides occur in the intermediate lobe of the pituitary gland.

Choice "E" is the best answer. Cushing syndrome is a clinical syndrome associated with an excess of glucocorticoids(GCs), due either to elevated levels of endogenous cortisol or exogenous use of glucocorticoid medications such as prednisone, prednisolone, hydrocortisone, and betamethasone. Common signs and symptoms include altered fat deposition (including “moon facies” and “buffalo hump”, referring to fat deposition in the face and the upper back), weight gain, hypertension, striae, acne, hyperglycemia, and central muscle weakness. Treatment involves cessation of glucocorticoid therapy, though a taper is crucial, as abrupt withdrawal can lead to acute adrenal insufficiency and shock. In non-endocrine disorders, GCs are commonly given in pharmacologic (therapeutic) doses to suppress inflammation. In endocrine disorders, however, corticosteroid doses are often given at or close to physiologic doses (rather than in therapeutic ranges). GC-associated toxicity appears to be related to both the average dose and cumulative duration of GC use. However, for most GC-related adverse events, “threshold” dose or treatment duration has not been established.

When a dog has too much Cortisol in their body (usually in their adrenal glands), it can result in them getting Cushing's disease. It is the most common hormone related disease in dogs.There are other causes of this disease in dogs like taking medicine with Cortisol in it for a long period of time or having a tumor in the adrenal gland. However, the main cause of this disease in dogs is their bodies producing too much Cortisol.

5.Cushing's syndrome: a constellation of symptoms caused by steroid excess in the blood. The symptoms include humped back, muscle thinning and weakness, and lowered immunity.

ACTH-independent Cushings Syndrome typically originates from abnormalities of the adrenal gland. Adrenal adenoma and adrenal carcinoma occur when there is a benign or cancerous tumor on the adrenal gland. These tumors can cause over production of cortisol, disrupting homeostasis. Other diseases like Carney complex and McCune Albright syndrome have also been associated with abnormalities of the adrenal gland, causing overproduction of cortisol. A final form of cushings syndrome is exogenous glucocorticoid administration.

These glands are the one that two important steroid hormones called cortisol and aldosterone. Cortisol hormone mobilizes nutrients, and modifies the body’s response to inflammation and it stimulates the liver to raise the blood sugar. This hormone also helps to regulate the amount of water in the body. The aldosterone hormone acts mainly in the kidney to aid in the

The next condition that contributes to obesity is Cushing’s disease. While this disease may not be quite as common as hypothyroidism, it still manages to affect around fifteen-million people each year. Cushing’s disease is a condition where the body is exposed to a high amount of cortisol. This syndrome can be caused in two ways. The first way this is that the body itself produces too much cortisol (“Cushing’s Syndrome,” n.d). The second way is when a person takes a corticosteroid medication (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2010). During both ways, the excessive cortisol causes the body to “shift energy in the form of fat” (“Cushing’s Segment,” 2010). The disease causes weight gain in the upper body, especially in the face and abdomen regions. There will also tend to be a lot of fat deposits in the cheeks, which causes people to have the appearance