Cushing's Syndrome Research Paper

Cushing’s syndrome is a rare endocrine disorder that occurs when your body is exposed to an overabundance of the hormone cortisol.3 Cortisol is known as the stress hormone. The interruption of cortisol secretion can cause weight gain and can ultimately determine where you put the weight on.8 There are many underlying causes such as Pituitary Adenomas, Ectopic ACTH Syndrome, Adrenal Tumors, and Familial Cushing’s Syndrome.2 The majority of these people affected by this hormonal disorder experience weak muscles, increase fat, high blood pressure, etc.1 Although thousands are affected in various ways, there are currently several channels of treatment administered by medical professionals. Through the use of improving technology, medical professionals are better understanding the disorder, allowing them to develop better treatment practices.

     Cortisol is in the class of hormones called glucocorticoids and affects almost every organ in the body. One of the most important functions of cortisol is to help regulate the body’s response to stress. Cortisol is also responsible for other necessary functions including: helping to maintain blood pressure and

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).

*Endocrine glands produce – hormones, they work with other hormones to perform many functions including: control water & electrolyte balance, regulating carbohydrate metabolism, working as neurotransmitters, maintaining stress & inflammation, regulate reproductive functions

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.

Cortisol is vital in maintaining bodily homeostasis. Some roles of cortisol include, maintaining blood pressure, slowing down the immune system 's inflammatory response and helping the body to respond to stress.

The adrenal glands are made up of two different sections. The interior (medulla) which produces hormones similar to adrenaline. The (cortex) outer layer has the role of producing a group of hormones that are called corticosteroids; these include mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids and the male sex hormones known as (androgens).

The two most common are Cushing Syndrome and Amenorrhea. “Cushing syndrome occurs when your body is expose to high levels of the hormone cortisol for a long time.” (Mayo Staff Clinic, 2016, p.1) There are several symptoms that Cushing Syndrome shares with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. Some of the symptoms are: weight gain, acne, hirsutism and/or irregular or absent menstrual periods. Evidently, the two diseases share similar symptoms. Another disease that shares similarities with PCOS is Amenorrhea. It is when one or more menstrual cycles are missed or the absence of menstruations. Some of the symptoms are: hair loss, excess facial hair and acne. Amenorrhea, also,

This may have been useful when you were out hunting and about to encounter danger because cortisol can give you a quick burst of energy for survival, increased immunity, and enhanced memory function. However, in our environment now, having high chronic levels of cortisol in your body can lead to many negative side effects. Since glucocorticoids stimulate the liver to convert amino acids to glucose, this leads to a rise in blood glucose concentration and can reduce the sensitivity of target tissues to insulin (p. 341).

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

Adrenal glands are endocrine glands that sit atop the kidneys (Shier et al., 2009). The adrenal glands secrete hormones that increase heart rate, the force of cardiac muscle contraction, breathing rate, elevate blood pressure and blood glucose level. This activity prepares the body foe energy expending action, sometimes called fight or flight responses (Shier et al., 2009).

Cushing's syndrome is a set of signs and symptoms due to continuous exposure to cortisol. Cushing's syndrome is caused by either exaggerated cortisol-like drugs e.g. (prednisone) or a tumor that leads to the production of abnormal amount of cortisol by the adrenal glands, Cushing's disease is caused by pituitary adenoma. It is the second most common cause of Cushing's syndrome after medication. (1)

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.

ATCH take control to allow the middle and inner parts of adrenal cortex to release glucocorticoids. This hormone helps to promote the breakdown of muscle proteins to amino acids, which are taken up by the liver from the bloodstream. The liver will break down these excess amino acids to glucose, which enter the blood. Furthermore, glucocorticoids are also promoted the metabolism of fatty acids rather than carbohydrates. The glucocorticoids also counteract the inflammatory response that leads to pain and swelling of joints in arthritis and bursitis. The administration of cortisone aids these conditions because it reduces inflammation. Very high levels of glucocorticoids in the blood to suppress the body’s defense system, including the inflammatory response that occurs at infection sites. Cortisone and other glucocorticoids can relieve swelling and pain from inflammation, but by suppressing pain and immunity,

Adrenal glands, located near the kidneys, secrete several hormones that are activated by the nervous system. These hormones dictate the body’s reaction to stressful situations. Each person secretes a different amount of hormones, therefore affecting behavior in stressful situations differently (Morris & Maisto, 2005).