Cushing's syndrome is a rare hormonal disorder that causes sudden weight gain and bloating around the chest and stomach, along with other symptoms.
These symptoms are caused by constantly high levels of steroid hormones in the blood. This could be because you are taking high doses of steroid medication for another illness (such as asthma) or due to a disorder that causes your body to produce too much of the steroid hormone cortisol.
Cortisol is produced by two small organs just above the kidneys called the adrenal glands. Cortisol regulates the level of glucose in the body, suppresses the immune system and helps the body respond to stress (it is also called the 'stress hormone').
Who is affected?
Cushing's syndrome usually occurs in adults aged 25 to 40 but can affect people of all ages, including children.
Cushing's syndrome that is caused by a tumour in the pituitary gland (a pea-sized gland below the brain) is five times more common in women than men.
Causes
Cushing's syndrome can be caused by taking high doses of steroid medication for long periods, such as prednisolone treatment for arthritis. The condition can also be caused by:
- A tumour in the pituitary gland. The tumour causes the pituitary gland to release a hormone which stimulates the adrenal glands to produce too much cortisol. This is known as Cushing's disease.
- A tumour in one of the adrenal glands. This causes the gland to produce too much cortisol.
- A tumour elsewhere in the body that causes the release of a hormone that stimulates the adrenal glands to produce cortisol.
See Causes, above, for more information.
Most cases of Cushing's syndrome are not inherited (passed down through family members), although on rare occasions there may be an inherited tendency to develop tumours that can cause Cushing's syndrome.
Outlook
If treated, Cushing's syndrome can be cured, but recovery is a slow process and can take several weeks or a couple of years. Treatment may include cortisol-inhibiting drugs, surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy.
If Cushing's syndrome is left untreated, it can be fatal. Death is usually due to high blood pressure, infection, heart attack or heart failure.
