What is Cushing's syndrome? The state in which the body produces too much cortisol is called Cushing's syndrome. Cortisol is also sometimes known as a hormone whose production increases in times of stress and is a natural steroid hormone that is like the "cortisone" in some medicines. Cushing's syndrome can be caused because the body produces too much cortisol or for taking too many drugs on the type of cortisone.

What causes Cushing's syndrome? The most common cause of Cushing's syndrome is the type of drugs taking cortisone orally (by mouth) every day for months or weeks. Prednisone is the most common medicine that is taken in this way.

Steroid medicines for asthma and inhaled steroid creams for eczema and other skin conditions do not cause Cushing's syndrome. Even oral medicines taken daily for short periods of time or every other day for longer periods do not often cause Cushing's syndrome.

The second most common cause of Cushing's syndrome is Cushing's disease. Tumors in the adrenal glands or elsewhere in the body can also cause Cushing's syndrome.

What is Cushing's disease? Cushing's disease is the name doctors use when Cushing's syndrome is caused by a pituitary gland tumor. The pituitary gland is located at the bottom of the brain that controls the body's production of cortisol. These small tumors can cause the adrenal glands, located near the kidneys, produce too much cortisol.

Tumors in the pituitary gland in Cushing's disease are usually not cancerous. However, if the tumors grow too much they can cause problems with your vision. What are the Cushing’s disease symptoms and the Cushing’s syndrome signs?

Cushing’s disease symptoms can form fatty deposits around your stomach and your upper back, but arms and legs stay thin and do not usually get fatter. Your skin gets thinner and is easily bruised. Cuts, scrapes and insect bites are slow to heal. You can form streaks of pink or purple skin. The face may become round and bloated. You may feel tired and have muscle weakness. You may feel depressed

Women usually have irregular menstrual periods and they may grow thick or body hair that is more visible than usual. High blood pressure, osteoporosis (weak and brittle bones) and the levels of blood sugar above normal may be signs of syndrome or Cushing's disease. Often you are given skin infections or other infections, and they take longer to heal.

How does my doctor know if I have Cushing syndrome or disease? Your doctor may start by asking some questions and a physical examination. If the cause is a medicine you are taking, no tests are needed. If your doctor thinks you have Cushing syndrome or disease, but does not include drugs that are causing this, you may need to have some blood tests and urine tests.

You may be asked to collect your urine for 24 hours. Your doctor will explain how to do this test. You may also be given a medicine called dexamethasone before collecting the blood or urine. This tests your response to steroids. At some point you may need a computed tomography (CAT or CT scan) or examination (magnetic resonance imaging or MRI). These tests show a "snapshot" of the inside of your body. Looking at these pictures, your doctor can determine whether there are tumors on the pituitary gland or other parts of your body.