In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleWhat is Cushing’s Syndrome?FAQs
In This ArticleView All
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In This Article
What is Cushing’s Syndrome?
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If you’ve been active onsocial mediaor reading the news recently, you may have come across the term Cushing’s syndrome. Or maybe you’ve seen celebrities likeAmy Schumersharing their experiences with the condition. But what is it exactly, and should you be concerned?
In this article, we’ll explore the ins and outs of Cushing’s syndrome, including how common it is, symptoms to look for and lifestyle factors that can help in prevention and management. Whether you’ve received a diagnosis or just want to learn more, read on for a better understanding of Cushing’s syndrome and how to manage it.
Potential Causes & Risk Factors
Cushing’s syndrome is a rare condition, affecting roughly 40 to 70 people per million.It typically occurs in adults aged 30 to 50, with women being affected about three times more often than men. Various factors can cause the syndrome, such as long-term use of corticosteroid medications (such as prednisone or hydrocortisone used for skin rash, asthma and other diseases), tumors in the pituitary or adrenal glands or tumors in other parts of the body that produce cortisol-like substances.
Those with type 2 diabetes and high blood sugar levels, along with high blood pressure, may have a higher risk of developing Cushing’s syndrome due to an excess of glucocorticoids in the body. These are steroids that occur naturally in the body and have anti-inflammatory effects, but can be damaging in high quantities. Additionally, taking glucocorticoid medications can have a similar effect, which can increase the risk of developing the syndrome. Over 10 million Americans take these meds each year, but it’s unclear how many develop the condition as a result.
This syndrome relates primarily to kidney function, the presence of tumors and longterm medication use, but it is quite rare, only affecting 40 to 70 people per million people.It is not typically developed from prolonged periods of feeling stressed (which can often be confused when talking about cortisol).
Cushing’s Syndrome Symptoms
While Cushing’s syndrome isn’t very common, it’s crucial to be aware of its potential symptoms for early detection and treatment. Common symptoms can include:
Other symptoms include excess body hair and menstrual issues in women and men experiencing low sex drive or infertility. Less common symptoms are fatigue, headaches, increased thirst and urination, high blood pressure and elevated blood sugar.
If you’ve noticed these symptoms, talk to your healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis. However, note that these symptoms can result from other conditions, so don’t jump to conclusions. While some celebrities have helped raise awareness of Cushing’s syndrome, it remains a rare condition.
Healthy Lifestyle Tips
If you’ve received a recent diagnosis or want to lower your risk of developing the syndrome, some lifestyle changes and habits can help keep yourcortisol levelsin check. These include eating a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins, exercising regularly and managing stress through relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation.
The Bottom Line
Up Next:Hormone-Balancing Foods: How Your Diet Can Help Keep Your Hormones Functioning Well
Frequently Asked QuestionsSymptoms of Cushing’s syndrome can be managed with treatment. That said, it can take a long time to fully recover from the disease and may depend on what is causing the syndrome for an individual.While Cushing’s syndrome can be fatal if not treated, it can usually be well-managed with appropriate care. In this case, the life expectancy for someone with Cushing’s syndrome would be comparable to the general public.
Frequently Asked Questions
Symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome can be managed with treatment. That said, it can take a long time to fully recover from the disease and may depend on what is causing the syndrome for an individual.
While Cushing’s syndrome can be fatal if not treated, it can usually be well-managed with appropriate care. In this case, the life expectancy for someone with Cushing’s syndrome would be comparable to the general public.
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SourcesEatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.Uwaifo, G. I., & Hura, D. E. (2023, July 4).Hypercortisolism. StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551526/Cushing Syndrome. (2019, May 9). https://www.nichd.nih.gov/.https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/cushingThau, L., Gandhi, J., & Sharma, S. (2023, August 28).Physiology, cortisol. StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538239/Cushing’s Syndrome. (2023, January 25). National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/endocrine-diseases/cushings-syndromeCushing Disease / Cushing Syndrome | Brain Institute | OHSU. (n.d.).https://www.ohsu.edu/brain-institute/cushing-disease-cushing-syndromeBarbot, M., Ceccato, F., & Scaroni, C. (2018). Diabetes mellitus secondary to Cushing’s disease.Frontiers in Endocrinology,9.https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2018.00284Steffensen C, Bak AM, Rubeck KZ, Jorgensen JO. Epidemiology of Cushing’s syndrome.Neuroendocrinology.2010;92 Suppl 1:1–5.What are the symptoms of Cushing syndrome?(2022, May 4). https://www.nichd.nih.gov/.https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/cushing/conditioninfo/symptoms
Sources
EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.Uwaifo, G. I., & Hura, D. E. (2023, July 4).Hypercortisolism. StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551526/Cushing Syndrome. (2019, May 9). https://www.nichd.nih.gov/.https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/cushingThau, L., Gandhi, J., & Sharma, S. (2023, August 28).Physiology, cortisol. StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538239/Cushing’s Syndrome. (2023, January 25). National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/endocrine-diseases/cushings-syndromeCushing Disease / Cushing Syndrome | Brain Institute | OHSU. (n.d.).https://www.ohsu.edu/brain-institute/cushing-disease-cushing-syndromeBarbot, M., Ceccato, F., & Scaroni, C. (2018). Diabetes mellitus secondary to Cushing’s disease.Frontiers in Endocrinology,9.https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2018.00284Steffensen C, Bak AM, Rubeck KZ, Jorgensen JO. Epidemiology of Cushing’s syndrome.Neuroendocrinology.2010;92 Suppl 1:1–5.What are the symptoms of Cushing syndrome?(2022, May 4). https://www.nichd.nih.gov/.https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/cushing/conditioninfo/symptoms
EatingWell uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.
Uwaifo, G. I., & Hura, D. E. (2023, July 4).Hypercortisolism. StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551526/Cushing Syndrome. (2019, May 9). https://www.nichd.nih.gov/.https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/cushingThau, L., Gandhi, J., & Sharma, S. (2023, August 28).Physiology, cortisol. StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538239/Cushing’s Syndrome. (2023, January 25). National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/endocrine-diseases/cushings-syndromeCushing Disease / Cushing Syndrome | Brain Institute | OHSU. (n.d.).https://www.ohsu.edu/brain-institute/cushing-disease-cushing-syndromeBarbot, M., Ceccato, F., & Scaroni, C. (2018). Diabetes mellitus secondary to Cushing’s disease.Frontiers in Endocrinology,9.https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2018.00284Steffensen C, Bak AM, Rubeck KZ, Jorgensen JO. Epidemiology of Cushing’s syndrome.Neuroendocrinology.2010;92 Suppl 1:1–5.What are the symptoms of Cushing syndrome?(2022, May 4). https://www.nichd.nih.gov/.https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/cushing/conditioninfo/symptoms
Uwaifo, G. I., & Hura, D. E. (2023, July 4).Hypercortisolism. StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551526/
Cushing Syndrome. (2019, May 9). https://www.nichd.nih.gov/.https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/cushing
Thau, L., Gandhi, J., & Sharma, S. (2023, August 28).Physiology, cortisol. StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538239/
Cushing’s Syndrome. (2023, January 25). National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/endocrine-diseases/cushings-syndrome
Cushing Disease / Cushing Syndrome | Brain Institute | OHSU. (n.d.).https://www.ohsu.edu/brain-institute/cushing-disease-cushing-syndrome
Barbot, M., Ceccato, F., & Scaroni, C. (2018). Diabetes mellitus secondary to Cushing’s disease.Frontiers in Endocrinology,9.https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2018.00284
Steffensen C, Bak AM, Rubeck KZ, Jorgensen JO. Epidemiology of Cushing’s syndrome.Neuroendocrinology.2010;92 Suppl 1:1–5.
What are the symptoms of Cushing syndrome?(2022, May 4). https://www.nichd.nih.gov/.https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/cushing/conditioninfo/symptoms
