Cushing's syndrome is a condition that describes what happens in the body when excessive amounts of corticosteroids are present. Corticosteroids can be overproduced by the adrenal glands in the body. They also may be taken in medication form (e.g., Prednisone, Hydrocortisone) for various diseases, such as Rheumatoid Arthritis
or asthma. Cushing's "disease", however, refers specifically
to the overproduction of corticosteroids due to excessive
stimulation of the adrenal cortex by the pituitary gland
hormone ACTH (usually a small benign tumor in the pituitary
gland is the culprit). The pituitary gland, located in the
brain, produces hormones that affect the adrenal glands and
other organs.
CT scan of chest and abdomen if
cancer source is
suspected
Pituitary cause -- surgical removal
Adrenal cause -- surgical removal
Cancer -- induced hormones-surgical
removal
Medication-induced -- stopping or
reducing corticosteroids. Note: this must be done slowly
under a doctor's advice. Abruptly stopping corticosteroid
medications can be life -
threatening.