Cushing's syndrome

1. A syndrome caused by an excess of corticosteroids, especially cortisol, in the blood, characterized by obesity, muscle and skin atrophy, facial fullness (known as moon facies), hypertension, and other physical changes. Glucocorticoid excess is usually caused by a tumor of the adrenal cortex, excessive intake of ACTH or glucocorticoids, or increased production of ACTH from a tumor of the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland. Cushing's syndrome is named after its discoverer, American neurosurgeon Harvey Williams Cushing (1869–1939).

Example Sentences

Fortunately, true disorders of cortisol like Cushing’s syndrome and adrenal insufficiency are incredibly rare: According to the Cleveland Clinic, 40–70 people in 1 million have cortisol that is too high and 100–140 people in 1 million have cortisol that is too low.

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And as her face started to swell, she looked in the mirror and recognized the moon face that is a hallmark of Cushing’s syndrome, a condition that happens when your body has too much cortisol.

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Unlike Shana, I never developed Cushing’s syndrome, which is when your cortisol is too high.

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High levels of cortisol can cause weight gain around the face, upper back and stomach - which could indicate a very rare condition called Cushing's Syndrome.

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Or to use a perhaps more realistic scenario: Mifepristone, an abortion-inducing drug, is also commonly used to treat Cushing’s syndrome, and researchers say it has tremendous potential to treat other illnesses, too, from various cancers to PTSD.

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