Guest guest Posted November 3, 2007 Report Share Posted November 3, 2007 Cushing's syndrome - 11/3/2007From http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/sym/cushing_like_symptoms.htm Cushing's syndrome is a disorder of the adrenal glands leading to excess cortisol secretion. This means that there is too much cortisol hormone in the blood. It can be caused by an adrenal gland failure, or it can result from a pituitary tumor or other tumor that secretes ACTH which in turn stimulates the adrenal glands to over-produce cortisol. Organ: Adrenal glands Article Excerpts about Adrenal glands Cortisol is normally produced by the adrenal glands, located just above the kidneys. It belongs to a class of hormones called glucocorticoids, which affect almost every organ and tissue in the body. Scientists think that cortisol has possibly hundreds of effects in the body. Cortisol's most important job is to help the body respond to stress. Among its other vital tasks, cortisol: helps maintain blood pressure and cardiovascular function; helps slow the immune system's inflammatory response; helps balance the effects of insulin in breaking down sugar for energy; and helps regulate the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. Because cortisol is so vital to health, the amount of cortisol produced by the adrenals is precisely balanced. Like many other hormones, cortisol is regulated by the brain's hypothalamus and the pituitary gland, a bean-sized organ at the base of the brain. (Source: excerpt from 's Disease: NIDDK) ▲TopIntroduction: Adrenal insufficiency Adrenal insufficiency is a failure by the adrenal gland to output enough hormones. Severe or chronic cases, see 's disease, which is a common cause of adrenal failure. Adrenal gland failure may cause an ian crisis. ▲TopSymptoms of Adrenal insufficiency Fatigue Weakness Anorexia Nausea Vomiting Weight loss Abdominal pain Cutaneous pigmentation Mucosal pigmentation Hypotension Hypoglycaemia Note that Adrenal insufficiency symptoms usually refers to various symptoms known to a patient, but the phrase Adrenal insufficiency signs may refer to those signs only noticable by a doctor. More ways to research these symptoms: To research other symptoms use the symptom center, or to research causes of more than one symptom in combination, try our multi-symptom search ▲TopIntroduction: Pituitary Cancer Most pituitary tumors are benign. However, because the pituitary is an important hormonal gland, this does not mean they are harmless. Even a benign pituitary tumor can have various severe hormonal affects on the body, and cause various secondary diseases such as Cushing's disease or Acromegaly. ▲TopSymptoms of Pituitary Cancer Headaches Vision problems Visual disturbances Nausea Vomiting Symptoms of various secondary hormonal problems including: Female infertility Loss of menstrual periods Abnormal growth High blood pressure Heat intolerance Cold intolerance Skin changes Body changes Galactorrhea Note that Pituitary Cancer symptoms usually refers to various symptoms known to a patient, but the phrase Pituitary Cancer signs may refer to those signs only noticable by a doctor. More ways to research these symptoms: To research other symptoms use the symptom center, or to research causes of more than one symptom in combination, try our multi-symptom search. ▲TopDiagnostic Tests for Cushing's syndrome Physical examination Cortisol urine test 24-Hour Urinary Free Cortisol Level Dexamethasone Suppression Test CRH Stimulation Test See full list of 15 diagnostic tests for Cushing's syndrome ▲TopWrongly Diagnosed with Cushing's syndrome? Misdiagnosis of Cushing's syndrome Underlying causes of Cushing's syndrome (possibly wrongly diagnosed) ▲TopCauses of Cushing's syndrome Pituitary tumors Pituitary adenomas (type of Adenoma) - usually benign ACTH-producing tumors of the pituitary gland; most common in women ACTH-producing pituitary tumor Lung tumors - more common in men Small cell lung cancer Thymoma Pancreatic islet cell tumor Thyroid medullary carcinoma Adrenocortical carcinomas Adrenal gland tumor Adrenal adenomas - benign adrenal tumor Familial Cushing's Syndrome Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type I Primary Pigmented Micronodular Adrenal Disease Carney's complex McCune-Albright syndrome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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