 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||
|
|
|
|
Cushing's Disease - Hyperadrenocorticism Cushing's disease is more accurately called hyperadrenocorticism -- the over-production of the adrenal hormone called corticosteroids. It may be naturally occurring or due to over administration of steroid type drugs such as prednisone. The second is easy to cure – gradually reduce the steroid use to allow the body to return to normal. The naturally occurring form is more difficult to treat. Hyperadrenocorticism occurs for two main reasons --- a tumor of the adrenal gland that produces adrenal hormones or stimulation of the normal adrenal glands from the hormones that control it. Most often it is a pituitary gland tumor that produces excessive ACTH, which stimulates the adrenal gland to produce corticosteroids. Adrenal gland tumors account for 15% of the cases of hyperadrenocorticism. Pituitary tumors account for 85%. Symptoms include increased drinking, increased urination, increased appetite, panting, high blood pressure, hair loss - usually evenly distributed on both sides of the body, pendulous abdomen, thinning of the skin, calcified lumps in the skin, susceptibility to skin infections and diabetes, weakening of the heart and skeletal muscles, and nervous system disease. |
|
|
|
|
 |
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
 |
|||||||
 |
|||||||