[{"id":"77f1531","elType":"section","settings":[],"elements":[{"id":"dec0d41","elType":"column","settings":{"_column_size":100,"_inline_size":null},"elements":[{"id":"6b2b1d8","elType":"widget","settings":{"editor":"<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Cushing disease, more common in women than in men and most often seen in people ages 25-40, is caused by an increase in the hormone cortisol, which helps maintain blood sugar levels, protects the body from stress, and suppresses inflammation in major parts of the body.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Cortisol is produced by the adrenal glands, which are small glands located at the top of each kidney. The production of cortisol is triggered by the release of a hormone called adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) from the pituitary gland, located at the base of the brain.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Cortisol<\/span><\/strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u00a0also known as the\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff; text-decoration: underline;\"><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" style=\"color: #0000ff; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/simple.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Stress_(medicine)\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">stress<\/a>\u00a0<a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" style=\"color: #0000ff; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/simple.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Hormone\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">hormone<\/a><\/span><\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">, performs some important functions in the body such as: metabolizing the body\u2019s glucose level, controlling the blood pressure. It is also the hormone responsible for the natural flight or fight response. During the fight or flight response, your body is trying to prioritize, so anything it doesn\u2019t need for immediate survival is not given priority.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">This means that digestion, reproductive and growth hormone production and tissue repair are all temporarily halted. Instead, your body is using all its energy on the most crucial priorities and functions. In essence, getting exposed to this hormone or our body producing it in excess can lead to Cushing Syndrome.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p><h2><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">CAUSES OF CUSHING SYNDROME<\/span><\/h2><p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Cushing syndrome, sometimes called hypercortisolism is mostly caused by the use of oral steroids (oral corticosteroid medications) in high doses over an extended period of time. These medications, such as prednisone, have the same effect on the body as does cortisol produced by your own body.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff; text-decoration: underline;\"><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" style=\"color: #0000ff; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.versusarthritis.org\/about-arthritis\/treatments\/drugs\/steroids\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Steroid medicine<\/a><\/span><\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff; text-decoration: underline;\">s<\/span><\/span>, such as prednisone, used to treat many diseases, including lupus, asthma, and rheumatoid arthritis. They are also used after an organ transplant.<\/span><\/p><p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Oral corticosteroids may also be necessary to treat inflammatory diseases and to prevent your body from rejecting a transplanted organ. Because the doses required to treat these conditions are often higher than the amount of cortisol your body normally needs each day, side effects from excess cortisol can occur.<\/span><\/p><p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Also, as explained earlier, the body produces excess cortisol on its own and all this increases the chance of a person getting Cushing syndrome.<\/span><\/p><h2><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS<\/span><\/h2><p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The most common sign of Cushing syndrome in women includes:<\/span><\/p><p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u2794 Excessive weight gain and fatty tissue deposits around the midsection and upper back, in the face (moon face), and between the shoulders (buffalo hump)<\/span><\/p><p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u2794 Pink or purple stretch marks on the skin of the abdomen, thighs, breasts and arms<\/span><\/p><p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u2794 Thinning, fragile skin that bruises easily<\/span><\/p><p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u2794 Slow healing of cuts<\/span><\/p><p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u2794 Acne<\/span><\/p><p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u2794 Thicker or more visible body and facial hair are known as Hirsutism. This most often occurs on the: face and neck, chest, abdomen and thighs.<\/span><\/p><p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u2794 Irregular or absent menstrual period<\/span><\/p><h2><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Symptoms in men:\u00a0<\/span><\/h2><p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Men with Cushing\u2019s syndrome may have:<\/span><\/p><p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">-erectile dysfunction<\/span><\/p><p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">-a loss of sexual interest<\/span><\/p><p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">-decreased fertility<\/span><\/p><h2><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Symptoms in children:\u00a0<\/span><\/h2><p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Children can have Cushing\u2019s syndrome too, although they develop it less frequently than adults. Children with Cushing\u2019s syndrome may also have:<\/span><\/p><p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">-obesity<\/span><\/p><p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">-slower rate of growth<\/span><\/p><p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">-high blood pressure (hypertension)<\/span><\/p><p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Who can be affected by Cushing\u2019s syndrome?<\/span><\/strong><\/p><p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Anybody can be affected by Cushing syndrome. However, adults, mostly between the age of 25 to 50, are the people most commonly affected by Cushing\u2019s syndrome. Also, those who take cortisol medication are at high risk. 70% of people with Cushing\u2019s syndrome are women and 30% are men.<\/span><\/p><p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">What changes can you make to help with Cushing's syndrome?<\/span><\/strong><\/p><p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Change your diet to a\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.who.int\/news-room\/fact-sheets\/detail\/healthy-diet\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong><u>healthy diet<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p><p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">- Choose low-calorie foods that are high in protein and calcium. This will help prevent muscle and bone loss caused by high cortisol levels.<\/span><\/p><p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">- Include supplements like calcium and vitamin D supplements to decrease bone loss. Also, consult your doctor to know if you need medicine to help slow bone loss.<\/span><\/p><p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">-Limit the use of seasonings and salt in your diet. This is particularly important if you have high blood pressure.<\/span><\/p><p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Pay more attention to caring for yourself\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p><p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Caring for yourself could mean doing certain things and avoiding other things.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">- Get regular exercise. Some particular exercises can help keep your bones and muscles strong. Aerobic exercise will also help prevent weight gain. It\u2019s advised that you talk to your doctor before you start any exercise program.<\/span><\/p><p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">- If you have an issue with how you look, use an\u00a0<\/span><a class=\"editor-rtfLink\" href=\"https:\/\/damidols.com\/shop\/annchery-slim-body-wrap\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">anti-inflammatory body wrap\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/u><\/a><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">and waist trainers to ensure you look your best always.<\/span><\/p><p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">- Avoid taking a fall, so remove loose rugs and other tripping hazards from your home.<\/span><\/p><p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">- Get regular eye exams to check for glaucoma and cataracts- See your doctor regularly to get tested for other problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and osteoporosis.<\/span><\/p><p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">a<\/span><\/p><p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Cushing's syndrome can be difficult to diagnose because many things can make your cortisol level higher than normal. A doctor who specializes in hormone disorders -endocrinologist is the best person to diagnose or treat Cushing's syndrome.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">If long-term use of steroid medicine is the cause of your Cushing Syndrome, your doctor is in the best position to help you lower your dose or gradually stop taking it. Do not stop taking steroid medicine on your own as this can be extremely dangerous.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Do you have questions or contributions? Kindly share in the comment section.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>","typography_typography":"custom","typography_font_family":"Nanum Myeongjo","typography_font_weight":"600"},"elements":[],"widgetType":"text-editor"}],"isInner":false}],"isInner":false}]