Cushing Syndrome

Cushing syndrome is an uncommon condition that happens when your body has too much of a hormone called cortisol. Another word for Cushing syndrome is hypercortisolism. A syndrome is a medical term that refers to a group of signs and symptoms that happen together. You may see some people call this condition Cushing’s syndrome.

Cortisol is a steroid hormone commonly called the “stress hormone.” Your body releases extra cortisol during times of stress. Cortisol helps by:

• Increasing your heart rate.
• Increasing your blood pressure.
• Managing your blood glucose.
• Managing your respiration.
• Increasing your muscle tension.

Cortisol also helps by temporarily shutting down systems that your body doesn’t need during times of increased stress, such as digestion and reproduction.

Cortisol is essential to:

• Maintaining blood pressure.
• Regulating blood sugar.
• Reducing inflammation.
• Forming memories.
• Managing respiration.
• Balancing salt in your body.
• Transforming your food into energy.

The adrenal glands (two small glands on top of your kidneys), pituitary gland (in your brain) and the hypothalamus (the part of your brain above the pituitary gland) control cortisol levels.

A tumor typically causes the cortisol levels found in Cushing syndrome.

• Endogenous (from within the body): Cushing syndrome happens because of cortisol produced by your body.
• Exogenous (from outside sources): Cushing syndrome happens because of the side effects of certain medications taken to treat other conditions.

Who is affected by Cushing syndrome?

The people most commonly affected by Cushing syndrome are children, teenagers and adults, mostly those ages 25 to 50. People who take cortisol medication (for example, to treat asthma and rheumatoid arthritis) are especially vulnerable. Some 70% of people with Cushing syndrome are women or people assigned female at birth (AFAB) and 30% are men or people assigned male at birth (AMAB).

How common is Cushing syndrome?

Cushing syndrome is rare. It affects 40 to 70 people out of 1 million each year.

What’s the difference between Cushing syndrome and Cushing disease?

Cushing disease is a type of Cushing syndrome. A benign tumor located in the pituitary gland that secretes too much ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) causes Cushing disease. This increases cortisol secretion from the adrenal glands.

Out of all the people who have Cushing syndrome, Cushing disease accounts for more than 70% of cases in adults and about 60% to 70% of cases in children and adolescents.

What healthcare providers treat Cushing syndrome?

Your healthcare provider will consult a specialist called an endocrinologist for evaluation and treatment.

Is Cushing syndrome fatal?

Cushing syndrome can possibly be fatal if you don’t get treatment. Without treatment, hypercortisolism can cause health problems, including:

• Infections.
• Blood clots, especially in the lungs and legs.
• Depression.
• Heart attack.
• Weight gain.
• Memory problems or difficulty concentrating.
• High blood pressure or high cholesterol.
• Broken bones.
• Type 2 diabetes, prediabetes or impaired fasting glucose.

If left untreated, Cushing syndrome can also result in death.