What Causes Cushings Syndrome?
Cushing’s syndrome occurs when the body’s tissues are exposed to excessive levels of cortisol for long periods of time. Many people suffer the symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome because they take glucocorticoid hormones such as prednisone for asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or other inflammatory diseases. Others develop Cushing’s syndrome because of overproduction of cortisol by the body. Normally, the production of cortisol follows a precise chain of events. First, the hypothalamus, a part of the brain which is about the size of a small sugar cube, sends corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) to the pituitary gland. CRH causes the pituitary to secrete ACTH (adrenocorticotropin), a hormone that stimulates the adrenal glands. When the adrenals, which are located just above the kidneys, receive the ACTH, they respond by releasing cortisol into the bloodstream. Cortisol performs vital tasks in the body. It helps maintain blood pressure and cardiovascular function, reduces the immune system
Cushing’s syndrome occurs when the body’s tissues are exposed to excessive levels of cortisol for long periods of time. Medication-Induced Cushing’s Cushing’s associated with the use of corticosteroid medication is fairly common and many people suffer the symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome because they take glucocorticoid hormones such as prednisone for: • asthma • rheumatoid arthritis • crohn’s disease • lupus and other inflammatory diseases, or • for immunosuppression after transplantation. Others develop Cushing’s syndrome because of overproduction of cortisol by the body. Normally, the production of cortisol follows a precise chain of events. First, the hypothalamus, a part of the brain which is about the size of a small sugar cube, sends corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) to the pituitary gland. CRH causes the pituitary to secrete ACTH (adrenocorticotropin), a hormone that stimulates the adrenal glands. When the adrenals, which are located just above the kidneys, receive the ACTH,
The most common cause of Cushing’s syndrome is taking cortisone-like medicines orally (by mouth) every day for weeks to months. Prednisone is the most common medicine that’s taken this way. Inhaled steroid medicines for asthma and steroid skin creams for eczema and other skin conditions don’t cause Cushing’s syndrome. Even oral medicines taken every day for short periods of time or every other day for longer periods don’t often cause Cushing’s syndrome. The next most common cause of Cushing’s syndrome is Cushing’s disease. Tumors in the adrenal glands or somewhere else in the body can also cause Cushing’s syndrome.
Cushing’s syndrome occurs when the body’s tissues are exposed to excessive levels of cortisol for long periods of time. Many people suffer the symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome because they take glucocorticoid hormones such as prednisone for asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or other inflammatory diseases.
The most common cause of Cushing’s syndrome is taking cortisone-like medicines orally (by mouth) every day for weeks to months. Prednisone is the most common medicine that’s taken this way. Inhaled steroid medicines for asthma and steroid skin creams for eczema and other skin conditions don’t cause Cushing’s syndrome.
