Cushing's Disease & the Liver
Cushing's disease, or Cushing's syndrome, is a hormonal disorder caused by overwhelming amounts of the hormone cortisol in the bloodstream. Also known as Hypercortisolism, Cushing's syndrome is relatively rare.
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Symptoms
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Cushing's syndrome exhibits a broad range of symptoms, including those affecting the liver. Patients with Cushing's syndrome often have enlarged or swollen livers. An enlarged liver often goes unnoticed and is primarily diagnosed through liver enzyme testing. More pronounced symptoms related to Cushing's syndrome include weight gain, fatigue, muscle weakness, easy bruising, loss of emotional control, moon face, acne, thirst and increased urination.
Diagnosis
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Cushing's syndrome is relatively simple to diagnose, though it can be overlooked by physicians. Simple blood and urine tests can generally produce an accurate diagnosis. A test using cortisol-based hormones is also used.
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Risk Factors
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Exposure to synthetic cortisol, found in many regularly prescribed steroids, is among the biggest risk factors for Cushing's syndrome. Diabetic and obese individuals are also at a higher risk of developing Cushing's syndrome. Patients with benign pituitary tumors are also considered high risk. Patients with depression, anxiety disorders or alcoholism may also develop Cushing's syndrome.
Prevention
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There are no documented preventative steps associated with Cushing's syndrome other than early detection. Observe bodily changes and report them to your physician. If detected early, the negative medical complications associated with Cushing's syndrome can be greatly reduced. An enlarged liver, for example, can lead to liver failure if not medically managed. As one of the body's most valuable organs, the liver maintains chemical balance and filters bodily waste. Liver failure can result in major medical implications and is considered life threatening.
Treatment
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Cushing's syndrome can be treated in varying ways depending on diagnosis. Surgical tumor removal, chemotherapy and radiation are indicated in Cushing's-related tumors. Cushing's patients are also treated with cortisol-inhibiting drugs.
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References
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