What is Cushing Syndrome - pathology, symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment

What is Cushing Syndrome?
Cushing syndrome describes the signs and symptoms associated with prolonged exposure to inappropriately high levels of the hormone cortisol. The most common cause of this is by taking glucocorticoid drugs, or diseases that result in excess cortisol, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), or CRH levels.
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This information is intended for educational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as medical advice. Please consult your physician for advice about changes that may affect your health.
This video explains Cushing syndrome and how to differentiate between different types of Cushing's syndrome and also how to treat Cushing's syndrome.
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[@BeRainWhyCheck]

I was recently diagnosed with Cushing's Disease, and this video really helped me figure out how to explain to friends and family my situation. Great job!

[@snehakalita4073]

What type of symptoms you faced? I feel like I also have

[@gloriarivera7238]

As a nursing student I love your Video. I've been reading about Cushing's all afternoon but you really explained it in a great way that people actually understand. Thanks

[@DailyMedEd]

You are very welcome! I'm really glad this was useful for you :)

[@ninamreynolds]

Thanks for making this easy to understand topic related to Cushing's Syndrome. I had a adrenal tumor. Successful surgery. Still going strong and back to normal six years later.

[@rickevans7941]

I'm just a layperson, but I found your presentation easy to follow and understand. Thank you!

[@felipelandry8257]

i guess Im kind of randomly asking but does anyone know of a good site to watch new movies online ?

[@kitten_purrrs73]

i believe I've had this and its gotten worse over the last few years to the point I'm bedridden ....but anytime i go to a Dr they throw antidepressants at me and tell me I'm just depressed ...even tho i tell them it doesn't feel like I'm depressed ...i feel sick and have all the symptoms and have a hard time dealing with any stress good or bad ..the smallest thing feels so stressful i just wanna hide...cuz i can't cope ....i wish a Dr would listen to me ....cuz I've given up ...also have all the symptoms of adrenal fatigue so that's why these are linked when i read about it ... i also had a pituitary tumour and my thyroid out and pcos. ..all to do with the endocrine system so why won't they look farther into this??? its affecting my daily life 😔

[@alphamega8660]

Kylah -_-

[@waeljubouri9818]

How are you now ??

[@leslielucci3182]

Go to a different doctor and also a good endocrinologist. There’s a good facility in Tampa, FL

[@ateal69]

I'm also a nursing student and I agree this explains things very well and in an understandable manner.

[@franceswright8155]

My poor sister was diagnosed with Cushing's disease when she was 9 . My poor baby sister was depressed at 9 she was considering committing suicide, she gained weight she had the hump on the back of her neck acne access hair . My mom knew there was something seriously wrong her pediatrician did a test for Cushing's and it came back borderline so he did nothing. My sister got worse my mom said fuck you pediatrician and took her to mass general hospital and saw a specialist he took one look at her and said she had Cushing's disease and had about 2 weeks to live if they didn't operate now. So , the pituitary gland is the size of a pea her tumor was the size of an olive it covered her pituitary gland. They operated they could not get it all she had radiation . To make a long story short. My beloved sister died at 35 years old. She fought with that disease he whole life. I'm really pissed because if they just took out her adrenal glands from the beginning it never would have came back. I Know they used her as a guinea pig. They finally took them out. 3 months before she died from brain cancer that she got from all the radiation. Plus she had brain cancer on her liver they took out the left lobe of her liver it had two tumors on it. Her liver grew back that's cool. Then she had to have two hip replacements they did that 5 months before she died. Anyway Cushing's killed my beautiful sister. If a Dr. ever gives you a test and it comes back borderline ask for another one but take it as positive. My parents sued the pediatrician and his nurse practitioner for negligence and won . Remember you can't sue a Dr for malpractice you will never win you have to sue for negligence. They won $500,000 my father was a piece of shit he wasted all the $ on gambling when my sister turned 18 and wanted her share he finally told her he gambled it all away. My poor sister. I hate that man he is still alive and she died. What a cruel world. I miss her everyday there is not a day that goes by that I don't think of her. I know I will see her again when I die. I'm not afraid to die at all in fact I could die tomorrow and I would not be afraid I know she and my beautiful mom will be waiting for me. I just wanted to tell someone this tragic story.

[@teeski693]

Oh my, I am so sorry for the loss of your sister. Terrible story.

[@esthermanley2743]

💓

[@suejames735]

😥❤

[@Floki2018]

Thank you so much. Im alone with this in Kingston, Ontario. Im diagnosed, had my adrenal and mass removed last July 2014. No follow up since 4 weeks post op. I thought my journey was over. Im learning, it has just begun. I have a amazing GP, unfortunately she was under the impression, my endocrinologist had been following me. My request to my endocrinologist have been turned to phone calls twice following trips to emergency rooms for adrenal crisis. Then suggested to seek support groups. I'm not starting to reach out, seek a new endocrinologist. I am grateful to find your video. Its these videos that are helping me educate and heal.

[@Floki2018]

Typo...should read " I'm just starting to reach out"

[@LaizaUSA]

Thank you so much! You have included all necessary information in very simplified form. Particularly I loved that you included physiology and pathology. It helped me to connect everything together. Thanks again.

[@DailyMedEd]

Thank you very much. Glad it was helpful to you. Best of luck to you :)

[@abdo75gamal]

the best video related to cushing syndrome ever

[@Traditional_Foods_Across_World]

Why cant we check the cortisol level directly in blood to know about cushing syndrome

[@TheJemification]

Thank you a million times over!!! You have saved my sanity in trying & failing to figure this disorder out You made it so easy to understand!! Thank you again!!!

[@debbiesb7543]

The title made me chuckle...I completely understand what you mean by it but I've had Cushing's for 28 years and there's nothing easy about it. That's why I chuckled.

[@katiie7]

Could asthma inhalers cause this?

[@wfox6985]

Thank you for this video. Cushing's syndrome is tricky to fully comprehend. Your instruction is guiding my studies of this disease. An FNP student in Kentucky, U.S.A.

[@graciouslygrace4782]

You earned a subscriber...Thank you for the wonderful explanation!

[@monkeyboy82495]

I had this, it messed up my life from 8th-11th grade -.- but at least I got the tumor removed before senior year :D

[@divyamthakkar7286]

How do you feel now

[@MegaCce]

This video is awesome. Great way to break it down

[@burnettkenya]

Clearly and concisely explained....Thanks!🤗

[@yahyamussad1915]

Excellent explanation God bless u

[@agenormarrero5220]

Thanks! M.D. Ali Feili Well Explain ! Very Helpful for my Pathology Class In UAG Medical Schools

[@DailyMedEd]

+Agenor Marrero, You are very welcome. Glad you found this video helpful. Please feel free to share it with you classmates. All the best to you

[@tinkageorgewilliam871]

thank you from uganda medical student...really helpful

[@DailyMedEd]

+Tinka george william Thank you very much. Glad you found this helpful. All the best from the U.S. :)

[@ajbarnett9345]

I am being checked for cushings currently. I heard you mention mast cells. I have a mast cell disease (systemic mastocytosis). Is there a connection to Cushings disease and mastocytosis?

[@eggjewla]

I’m curious too

[@paulb.lebeau6352]

Very helpful! Suggest you edit slides to eliminate typos: "moon facies" should be "moon faces"; "lugs" should be "lungs".

[@munsanjesianthika452]

thank you for the video, helpful for pathology examination.

[@fathemasultana1295]

This video is so helpful. thank you so much ❤️

[@مريمأيوب-ر3ك]

looove your way to explaine thi,gs .... thank's it was really easy to follow you !!!

[@jacquiebee4715]

I have just been diagnosed the other day with Cushings but am yet to be treated. Could the tingling in my feet, legs, arms and other areas be cause by vascular constriction? Thanks for the comprehensive description. :)

[@NoxMedicant]

question: how does bilateral adrenal Atrophy cause increased Cortisol secretion? I mean if that middle zone gets atrophied won't it secrete less cortisol?

[@laissamhan1943]

but if you keep taking steroids your level of cortisol will still be high, that's why is called exogenous Cushing? and the ACTH gets low because of this excess and the negative feedbak and so it goes? I'm not sure...

[@DailyMedEd]

Yes, Atrophy of both adrenal glands leads to decreased secretion of of Cortisol. Like Laís Samhan explained exogenous steroids act like Cortisol and therefore Inhibit the secretion of ACTH from the anterior pituitary. Since ACTH is no longer available, both adrenal glands will not get stimulated anymore and become pretty much useless and they both become atrophied. :)

[@NoxMedicant]

ok thanks for replying/answering

[@noelandah1375]

he said if you take in external steroids like by injecting or tablets, you give the adrenal glands less work because they don't need to produce more steroids they then atrophy. decreasing cortisone production not increase

[@user-bm5vf8fg8o]

Niki Shaburishvili ههههههه

[@nellyhoffman6194]

Thanks doctor you are very good teacher :)!!!!

[@mayracruz9460]

This was very helpful! Thank you... I was unclear about how Dexamethasone can suppress ACTH secretion in ACTH-secreting pituitary ademona, but elevated levels of endogenous cortisol would not.

[@JoeLatics94]

Mayra Cruz Pit gland retains /some/ control over its tumour, so will respond to the Dexamethasone (which is chemically similar to cortisol) and produce less ACTH. The ectopic tumour isn't under control at all, and just continues to spit out ACTH regardless of whether there's already cortisol or not.

[@wwilloww995]

This is wonderful!!! THank you so much

[@katef7848]

It’s perfect I were reading from Robbins pathology book and I were a little bit confused. So with your video I understand everything clearly Thank you

[@thefamilyseed2415]

Wooooooooooow! Change my world in under 10 min

[@drSJV]

✨Such a great video, thank you!

[@muttley9520]

OMG, it all makes so much sense now...I have Cushing's Syndrome :(. I have been on steroids for 26 years, have the buffalo hump, the big stomach, moon face and mental health issues. Why didn't the doctors tell me this before today - ****s. Not to mention diabetes and all its frustrations. I don't believe it. I'm furious.

[@Desmondbrown73]

Because doctors want to create patients that keep on coming back so they can keep on billing you, doctors are narcissists, they’re not here to help you they’re here to make your conditions get worse, because why the hell would they want you healthy😂 Take care of your own health unless you’re dying, then call an ambulance because that’s the only time I’m gonna trust the medical profession again!

[@o7ebboALLAH]

excellent THANK YOU

[@Gilhus1985]

this helps me with my biomedical scientist studies. but you should have Addinsons disease also in contrast to cushings :p

[@thepetsaver]

thank you very much for this useful description!

[@DailyMedEd]

You are welcome. Glad you found it useful :)

[@MrSTANDup92]

Nice thorough summary, thanks a lot brother!

[@Zzmora]

How do you distinguish Cushing's Syndrome from Policystic Ovary Syndrome, from a clinical point of view? Thank you.

[@Ronaldfontana]

PCOS = excess androgens not glucocorticoids. Excess androgens = increase 5dihydrotestosterone. Therefore hirsutism, virilization is observed. Furthermore, ovulation does not occur, follicle not stimulated, there is evident dysfunctional uterine bleeding. An increase in ACTH can cause an increase production of androgens from the adrenal cortex....however, cushing's syndrome is characterized primarily by the pigmentation and not really much to do with abnormal uterine bleeding which are both not seen in PCOS.

[@billmacpherson9410]

excellent and Thank you great job

[@angieheartbeat4681]

This was very helpful,thank you. So easy to remember. Keep doing this!!!

[@chahatshah24]

Its good

[@emanayman8896]

that's amazing...many thanks from Egypt :))

[@harrydon5973]

Thank You! From a Jamaican Med Student .. It was truly helpful : )

[@DailyMedEd]

+harry don, Thank you. We're glad you found this video tutorial helpful. Please check out our other videos as well and feel free to share them with others. Cheers from U.S.

[@anhadjvbft]

Very Informative.....

[@paramvaidya]

AWESOME AND EXPLICIT. Thank you.

[@dryoutube]

The complications of Cushing syndrome to monitor are diabetes, osteoporosisi and hypertension!

[@inchyokk]

i dont understand the reasoing behing the primary cause of cushings being use of exogenous steroids.... to me it made sense initially as adding more steroids to your body will increase cotisol like substance levels to increase hence cushings. but then u said that cushings occurs in this case because hypothalumus is inhibitted hence leading to adrenal atrophy.... my quesion is. wouldnt that lead to adrenal insufficiency hence hypocortisolism.... ( adrenal crises or addisons disease?)

[@viccosta2507]

It is not primary cause - primary cause would be something like a hyperplasia. Exogenous is the number 1 cause because so many patients take steroids and usually in excess. Since Cushing's syndrome is excess cortisol/steroids, taking steroids can cause that. Since you are providing the body with steroids, your own glands become small as they are no longer needed. However, if you were to suddenly stop taking steroids, your glands would start to work again but it could take months. This would mean you will have Adrenal Insufficiency for a while. Hope this helps!

[@gopaduttadebnath9551]

Thanks from India...

[@DailyMedEd]

Thank you. Best wishes :)

[@panashemakota3682]

Hello.. can you please explain to me how exogenous steroids then lead to increased cortisol, when ACTH is reduced

[@rehammj5935]

Thannxxxx from Iraq 😊✌️

[@dragavonflute6215]

Is is possible for your adrenals or pituitary to secrete cortisol intermittently? Normal levels one month...then crazy levels the next? Also, how does p-norepinephrine play into this? I had a clonidine suppression test.... and p-nor was high...everything else was normal

[@tonyv2542]

Thank you. Please make more videos like this :)

[@catherinehern3539]

My dr and me were surprised my low dose dex test came back normal. Does that mean it is impossible for me to have Cushing's? I am or was convinced this was the problem until the negative result. Should I retest or give up?

[@aimyroach5726]

fab for my university revision!

[@hvn81]

Very good explanation. Thank you!!

[@saulo13184]

Thank you very much.

[@soulpatchlajneh1054]

very helpful < < thank you

[@bcouce]

discussing the same thing in more a more specific sense. Each cellular receptor and binding interaction and all the chemistry and such that comes with it. Also, lots of chemical structure names

[@b4kristo]

Very Useful, Thanks :)

[@pablocamarabiehl6920]

Hey, I think the second cuase should be cushing disease and after it comes Adrenal adenoma mate.. Well at list that is how it comes in The Greenspan endocrinology book. But great video you explain way better than most !

[@alanharris5317]

Thank you.

[@elinope4745]

Does PTSD put me at high risk? I have hypogonadism and unregulated cortisol from what I understand. The cortisol issue is the base problem that lowers the other ones.

[@drpriya07]

liked it very much. thank you

[@user-tg7ty9qc8d]

alot of thanks.

[@DailyMedEd]

Welcome to medicine :)

[@TheHypnag0g222]

Hi! Thank you for the presentation! What if a patient presents with all the classic signs of Cushings, but does not have a pit tumor, is not due to exogenous corticosteroids, no adenoma (only finding is an ultrasound of adrenals looked smaller or shriveled than they should), has no evidence of ectopic tumors? But, the pt has severe constant & debilitating intractable pain with severe sleep disturbance. Could the patient's body develop severe/very pronounced Cushing's symptoms as a result of excess & sustained cortisol production due to the constant state of severe debilitating intractable pain, with a secondary effect of sleep deprivation due to the pain? Thank you!

[@EgHatchK24a2]

I have been having symptoms of Cushings disease for a little over 3 months. I tell my doctor that my heart is always racing and im always Anxious. im constantly hungry and craving food. I was rushed to the emergency room to get bloodwork done because my heart was beating fast and all the tests came back normal. I cannot sleep. everytime I try to sleep I go into a panic attack. I am really fearful for my life. I would like to see a endrocoligist but I have no health insurance.

[@FoxtrS2]

have had an EKG for ur heart in the ER? I had an heart ablation because

[@dleyba3199]

amboy- im not sure where you live but you can try applying for a the indigent care program. i live in colorado and its called CICP here. please look into this so you can at least try and get some help. check with the community clinics in your state and see if they can get you a referral. also check with the university hospitals for no or low cost clinics. tell me what state if you would like and i can look up it up for you. take care.

[@angiebrown4211]

@@dleyba3199 I am in Louisville,KY i am in the same boat i beleive i have cushings and no insurance right now i really need help :(

[@dleyba3199]

@@angiebrown4211 awww it sucks. that really suck. do they have any clinics in Louisville that maybe go by a sliding scale? what about medicaid? let me see if i can find something out for you...until then..hang in there!

[@dleyba3199]

xx-maybe you can also do a search in your hometown to see if metro united way has a sliding scale to help you. i guess medicaid is out of the question, but who knows. some people "make too much" which i find ridiculous. they will deny you even if you make 20.00 over their allotment so i heard. good luck i hope you find someone to help you.

[@brandonstout337]

Thank you!!

[@AlexRo2016]

Thanks for the informative video!

[@emmanuelhochani9127]

i need you to help the cost of treatment of Cushing disease,,am a Tanzanian,,it will be good when the treatment found in African countries to reduce too much cost coz my family does not afford the cost due to economic status. my young sister suffered from such disease which observed from Bugando hospital in Mwanza-Tanzania

[@panoramachannel3123]

What is the treatment again?

[@truthinacan490]

ok i am not sure here but i thought the video was on cushings syndrome, which is excess cortisol without an increase in acth, once the excess cortisol is as a result of increased acth, then its now cushings disease, no? Greets from Russia

[@earlybird1992]

cushing's syndrome = excess cortisol cushing's disease= excess cortisol as a result of pituitary overproduction of ACTH

[@truthinacan490]

Ramya Teja not sure where you are getting that, but i wouldnt be the first to agree with you.

[@zahraawitwit6333]

thanks

[@nicecat111]

thank you

[@hamadalbuali3997]

Thank you for this good explanation but I have a question 😅 In exogenous steroids there will be--> inhibition of ACTH secretion --> that should lead to decrease cortisol secretion So how can this process lead to cortisol elevation?? Med student from KSA🌹

[@DailyMedEd]

+Hamad Albuali, Great questions. Exogenous steroids are actually a form of Cortisol. Therefore, when someone uses exogenous steroids (cortisol), the level of cortisol will simply increase because of the administration of the the steroids and not because their body is producing more cortisol (that function is already surpassed by negative feedback). Please visit our new website for more awesome medial videos: freemedicalvideos.com/

[@hamadalbuali3997]

+Medical Institution Thanks a lot, it is very clear. wish you the best.

[@bivek1737]

Hamad Albuali i was also confused on the same point now reading this comment i got my point lol thanks bro for asking my question

[@hamadalbuali3997]

you are welcome

[@Paladine777]

Because exogenous corticosteroids have lower mean binding affinity to CBG and albumin compared to endogenous cortisol so they lead to higher free cortisol levels in the short term.

[@meaghanslaney4484]

Thanks! Studying for my RN exam and this helped a lot!

[@medschoolradio]

Very nice, thanks...

[@DailyMedEd]

You are very welcome. Thank you for watching :)

[@noelandah1375]

good, does cortisol cause fat storage or break down fat, I am confused please

[@xXHugsAndLovexX]

If this is made simple....what would it be unsimplified!?

[@thetruthhurts7031]

If someone had cushings syndrome for 3 months what percent of the skins collegan would be broken down ?

[@Ventus2077]

Thanks for the video it was very helpful But I have a small question, now on the last case, the adrenals are already stimulated by the adenoma or carcinoma on any random gland and let's take lung as an example, wouldn't that leads to negative feedback for the pituitary gland and leads to the atrophy of the pituitary gland itself? Or is it not possible because of its different functions in different glands?

[@hayasyrian4284]

thank you really made it EASY ^-^

[@Sosonx]

helpfull !!!!!! it's great jop ! thank u

[@aquia2211]

hi I am pan hypopituitary. I am 46 years old. I had Cushing's and a pituitary brain tumor when I was 25 years old. I had my Pituitary gland removed back then. Recently I had part of my right lower lung removed due to a tumor and carcinoma found in the lymph node. this was helpful even after all this time you would think I would be an expert. my weight has been a problem for a long time as I am steroid dependent . Do you have any suggestions that may help me with that?

[@4hmarcie]

That was great!

[@maryloureed8644]

I was diagnosed with dyslipidemia five years ago but have had no treatment for fear it may cause liver enzyme changes. I just found out about this dx today. I am wondering first of all, why wasn't I told, and 2, why haven't I been treated since my good cholesterol is high, and my bad cholesterol is low. I should think this is an ideal situation to treat whatever this dyslipidemia. Other than some online reading, I know nothing of this disease or syndrome.

[@tilkeshpurohit8118]

How High dose of dexamethasone fails to suppress Paraneoplastic ACTH secretion as the same can suppress ACTH secreting pituitary adenoma?????

[@hagaagcade]

thank u very useful information :)

[@oussamaelbassim5663]

Please we said that Cortisol increases lipolysis but the high glucose levels increases the storage of lipids, so why the result is truncal high storage

[@ajju2626]

thnxxx nyc info

[@riahjones685]

I have purple stretch marks from gaining weight waste but don't have crushing Disease, I have estrogen overload.

[@kitten_purrrs73]

just curious...do you have excess weight ....just sometimes those hormones can be even more elevated from weight ..and I'm trying to figure some things out that are going on with me ...that's why I ask ☺

[@luckycharms6081]

Can iodine drops supplements and melatonin help with the cortisol levels???

[@racasanmaria837]

Higher dose o dexametasone is a double dose ?

[@flyandshy00]

My mom has high TTH that leads to hypothyroidism and it's caused by tumoradrenal adenoma, also back like that, headaches, always bloated belly, hyper pigmentation probably from high levels of cortisol, will need to do a blood test. But I'm sure this is it.

[@medicaldiary3397]

Super

[@user-go1ov8uh9c]

Thanks too much

[@BlushLight]

What are tests/exams that can be done? What type of physician work with this?

[@nonasas5839]

thank u doctor :)

[@gallowspixie001]

this IS simple!!

[@OKSikhStoryTime]

Thank u! :)