Cushing syndrome

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Cushing syndrome

Definition

Cushing syndrome is a disease that occurs when your body produces too much of the hormone cortisol. It may also occur if you use take too much cortisol or other steroid hormones.

Alternative Names

Hypercortisolism

Causes

The most common cause of Cushing syndrome is side effects from taking anti-inflammatory steroid medications for conditions such as asthma and rheumatoid arthritis.

The second most common cause is Cushing's disease, which occurs when the pituitary gland makes too much of the hormone ACTH. ACTH stimulates the adrenal glands to produce cortisol.

Cushing's disease affects women more often than men.

Cushing syndrome can also be caused by the following:

Tumor of the pituitary gland or adrenal gland
Tumor elsewhere in the body (ectopic Cushing syndrome)

References

Arnaldi G, Angeli A, Atkinson AB, et al. Diagnosis and complications of Cushing's syndrome: A consensus statement. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2003;88-5595-5602.


Endocrine glands

Review Date: 3/18/2008
Reviewed By: Elizabeth H. Holt, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Yale University. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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