Cushings Help

474 followers
·
164 following
cushie.info
near Washington DC  ·  Cushing's syndrome is a rare endocrine disorder caused by too much cortisol. The source can be pituitary (Cushing's disease), adrenal, ectopic, or steroid use
Cushings Help
Cushing's
139 Pins
Cushing's / Cushing's syndrome, also known as hypercortisolism or hyperadrenocorticism, is an endocrine disorder caused by prolonged exposure of the body's tissues to high levels of the hormone cortisol (in the blood) from a variety of causes, including primary pituitary adenoma (known as Cushing's disease), primary adrenal hyperplasia or neoplasia, ectopic ACTH production (e.g., from a small cell lung cancer), and iatrogenic (steroid use). It is relatively rare and most commonly affects adults.
Symptoms
37 Pins
Symptoms / Some basic symptoms (there are LOTS!): Progressive obesity and skin changes Weight gain and fatty tissue deposits, particularly around the midsection and upper back, in the face (moon face) and between the shoulders (buffalo hump). Loss of muscle mass. Some areas of the body, such as the arms and legs, will remain thin. Pink or purple stretch marks (striae) on the skin of the abdomen, thighs, breasts and arms. Thinning, fragile skin that bruises easily. Slow healing of cuts, insect bites...
Testing
25 Pins
Testing / Diagnosis is based on a review of the patient's medical history, physical examination and laboratory tests. Often x-ray exams of the adrenal or pituitary glands are useful for locating tumors. No single lab test is perfect, and usually, several are needed. The three most common tests used to diagnose Cushing's syndrome are the 24-hour urinary free cortisol test, the measurement of midnight plasma cortisol or late-night salivary cortisol, and the low-dose dexamethasone suppression test (LDDST).
Adrenal
36 Pins
Adrenal / The body has two adrenal glands, one near the top of each kidney. The inner part (medulla) of the adrenal glands secretes hormones such as adrenaline (epinephrine) that affect blood pressure, heart rate, sweating, and other activities also regulated by the sympathetic nervous system. The outer part (cortex) secretes many different hormones, including corticosteroids (cortisone-like hormones), androgens (male hormones), and mineralocorticoids.
Adrenal Crisis!
8 Pins
Adrenal Crisis!
Pituitary
66 Pins
Pituitary / The pituitary gland is a small gland, located below the brain and connected to the hypothalamus. The pituitary gland regulates the secretions of hormones in the body, and hormones impact metabolism, growth and development, reproduction and urine production. It is important to note that the hypothalamus and pituitary gland are connected by blood vessels and nerves. When the body experiences changes, perhaps in temperature, the hypothalamus responds to restore our body’s balance (homeostasis).
Treatments
24 Pins
Treatments / The main treatments for Cushings have traditionally been surgery to remove pituitary tumors or adrenal glands. Radiation has been offered when surgeries have failed Recently, some medications have been added to help sufferers.
Books Worth Reading
11 Pins
Books Worth Reading / Good books for and about Cushing's and other endocrine issues.
Videos
23 Pins
Videos / Watch and learn from fellow Cushies, doctors, e-patients and other folks.
Meetings and Conferences
13 Pins
Meetings and Conferences / Cushies love to travel to different places to meet others and trade stories. To learn where the latest meetings will be, check out the calendar on http://www.cushie.info
E-Patients
28 Pins
E-Patients / I think we all have an opportunity to be Cushie Crusaders every time we tell others about our illness, share our story on or offline, post about our struggles – and triumphs – on the message boards, post on Pinterest…
The Lighter Side
8 Pins
The Lighter Side / We need a little fun every now and again :)
Quotes
10 Pins
Quotes
Theories
2 Pins
Theories / So much isn't yet known about Cushing's.
Non-profit ideas
4 Pins
Non-profit ideas
Zebras
7 Pins
Zebras
Heart Healthy
10 Pins
Heart Healthy
Heart Attack
12 Pins
Heart Attack
Kidney Cancer
3 Pins
Kidney Cancer
General Health
17 Pins
General Health
Hospitals and Medical Centers
3 Pins
Hospitals and Medical Centers
Power Surge
2 Pins
Power Surge / Power Surge - perimenopause and menopause
Thyroid Issues
4 Pins
Thyroid Issues
Diabetes
2 Pins
Diabetes