Question

What are the symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome?

Answer 1

Hint: A set of medical signs and symptoms which are correlated with each other and often associated with a particular disease or disorder is known as a syndrome. When a syndrome is paired with a definite cause this becomes a disease.

Complete answer:
Firstly, we must know what Cushing’s syndrome is. Cushing’s syndrome occurs when the body has too much of the hormone cortisol over time. This can be due to ingestion of oral corticosteroid medication or your body might produce excess cortisol. This excess of cortisol is responsible for the symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome.

The signs and symptoms of Cushing syndrome vary depending on the levels of excess cortisol level.
Common signs and symptoms of Cushing syndrome are;
- Weight gain and fatty tissue deposits, especially around the midsection and on the upper back, in the - face and between the shoulders
- Pink or purple stretch marks on the skin of the abdomen, thighs, breasts and arms
- Thinning, fragile skin that can bruise easily
- Slow healing of cuts, insect bites and also infections
- Acne

Signs and symptoms of women with Cushing syndrome are;
- Thicker or more visible body and facial hair
- Irregular or absent menstrual periods
- Signs and symptoms of men with Cushing syndrome are;
- Decreased sex drive
- Decreased fertility
- Erectile dysfunction

Other possible signs and symptoms of Cushing syndrome are as follows;
- Severe fatigue
- Muscle weakness
- Depression, anxiety and irritability
- Loss of emotional control
- Cognitive difficulties
- New or worsened high blood pressure
- Skin darkening
- Bone loss, leading to fractures over time
- In children, impaired growth

Note: You must contact your doctor if you have symptoms that suggest Cushing syndrome, particularly if you are taking corticosteroid medication to treat a condition like asthma, arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease. Cortisol helps in regulating the blood pressure, reduces inflammation, and keeps the heart and blood vessels functioning normally, it also helps your body to respond to stress and regulates the way the body converts proteins, carbohydrates and fats present in the diet into energy.