In Cushing’s syndrome, the body’s adrenal glands produce too much cortisol. This is a corticosteroid that regulates the body’s use of fats, helps the body cope with stress, and reduces inflammation.
The condition is often caused by prolonged treatment with corticosteroid medication. Other causes include a tumor of the adrenal gland, or a pituitary tumor that causes overproduction of a pituitary hormone that stimulates the adrenal glands. Symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome include weight gain, excess fat deposits (especially on the face and shoulders), reddish-purple stretch marks on the body or limbs, excessive hair growth, depression, weakness, reduced sex drive, and irregular or absent menstrual periods.
If it remains untreated, osteoporosis (thinning of the bones), high blood pressure, diabetes, and kidney stones may develop.
Treatment depends on the underlying cause.