Hi there,
Here are some general overviews, followed by links to each of the
specific causes.
The Merck Manual is the most widely used medical text in the world -
the Home Edition says:
"Overexposure to corticosteroids, whether from overproduction by the
adrenal glands or from administration of excessive amounts by a
doctor, results in Cushing's syndrome"
http://www.merck.com/pubs/mmanual_home/sec13/146.htm
HomeMedico.com elaborates:
"Excess glucocorticoids can be found in the body when the adrenal
glands "over-function." This can occur in at least one of the
following two ways:
1. Adrenal gland tumors: Here there is an increased production of
glucocorticoids by the adrenal tumor itself (Cushing's syndrome).
2. Pituitary tumors: Here there is an increased production of [the
hormone] ACTH. The ACTH serves to stimulate the adrenal glands to
produce excess glucocorticoids. This condition is referred to as
Cushing's disease.
An additional important cause of excess glucocorticoids (Cushing's
Syndrome) is iatrogenic (medically induced). In this case the symptoms
of Cushing's syndrome are secondary to glucocorticoid medications
(e.g. methylprednisolone, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone)."
http://www.homemedico.com/ailmentsC.asp
Health Central has a good overview, including images, symptoms, tests
and complications:
"Cushing's syndrome is an adrenocortical hormone (cortisol) excess
from any cause. The pituitary gland is located in the base of the
skull and regulates the activities of many glands and body processes.
Adrenocorticotropic hormone secreted by the pituitary gland stimulates
the adrenal gland to release the hormone cortisol or hydrocortisone, a
corticosteroid that controls the body's use of carbohydrates, fats,
and proteins, and also plays a role in suppressing the body's response
to inflammation."
http://www.healthcentral.com/mhc/top/000348.cfm
Pituitary Adenomas
http://www.floridaneurosurgery.com/perspective-pittaden-1197.htm
http://www.mayo.edu/gammak/pituit.htm
http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/PPI/TypesofCancer/BrainnCentralNervousSystem/PituitaryAdenomas/default.htm
Adrenal Tumors
http://www.methodisthealth.com/endocrin/adretum.htm
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000407.htm
http://www-medlib.med.utah.edu/WebPath/ENDOHTML/ENDO003.html (images)
Familial Cushing's Syndrome (rare)
http://cushings.homestead.com/introduction.html
NB: If you do further searching on this topic, be aware that Cushing's
Disease is more commonly spelled with the apostrophe, and there are
many web pages discussing this disease in dogs and pet ferrets.
robertskelton-ga |
