Causes of Cushings
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Cushing's disease, also called Cushing's syndrome, is caused from high levels of the hormone cortisol exposed to body tissues. Cushing's disease usually affects those who are obese, have type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure. Cushing's disease usually occurs in adults between 20 and 50 years old.
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Healthy levels of cortisol help to maintain the body's essential functions such as blood pressure and inflammation from the immune system. It also metabolizes proteins, fats, and carbohydrates in the bloodstream and helps the body stabilize under stressful conditions. Due to this, extreme athletes and those affected by depression, anxiety, alcoholism, and other diseases that place undue stress on the body usually have elevated cortisol levels and may be at a higher risk for Cushing's disease.
Cushing's disease is caused when the body produces excessive levels of cortisol. This imbalance in cortisol production originates in the part of the brain called the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus sends a hormone called corticotropin-releasing hormone to the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland then sends another hormone, adrenocorticotropin hormone, to the adrenal glands, located near the kidneys. After receiving this hormone, the adrenal glands produce cortisol, which travels through the bloodstream. If cortisol production is interfered with at any point in this process, it may cause Cushing's disease through pituitary adenomas, adrenal tumors, and ectopic adrenocorticotropin hormone as well as a family history of Cushing's disease may also be a cause of the disease. Cushing's disease is also caused by synthetic drugs called glucocorticoids.
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Pituitary adenomas are the most common cause of Cushing's disease. These benign tumors located on the pituitary gland secrete increased levels of adrenocorticotropin hormone. Usually, this cause of Cushing's disease occurs in women rather than men and is the result of a single tumor.
Adrenal tumors occur on the adrenal glands. Like pituitary adenomas, these tumors are usually noncancerous and cause an excess production of cortisol in the body. Adrenal tumors usually occur in people over 40 years of age.
Ectopic adrenocorticotropin hormone is released by a tumor formed outside of the pituitary gland. This tumor can be either benign or malignant and usually occurs in the lungs. Men develop these tumors at a higher rate than women. Ectopic adrenocorticotropin hormone is most commonly produced by oat cell lung cancer.
Even though Cushing's disease is not usually genetic, some do inherit the disease from their parents. This is usually in the form of tumors of the endocrine glands, such as the adrenal and pituitary glands. In the case of familial Cushing's disease, both children and adults can be affected.
Cushing's disease can also occur when a person takes glucocorticoids, such as prednisone, to combat inflammatory diseases such as arthritis and lupus and in the prevention of organ rejection in organ transplant recipients.
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