Cushing's disease (Cushing's syndrome) is a rare condition caused by excess corticosteroid hormones in the body - whether due to hyperfunction of the adrenal cortex or the administration of hormones - characterised chiefly by obesity of the trunk and face, high blood pressure, fatigue, and loss of calcium from the bones (osteoporosis). It is named after H W Cushing who first described the condition in the late 1930's. Research Cushing's Disease
The adrenal (suprarenal) glands are positioned on the top, or crown, of each kidney. They are relatively flat, yellowish, and measure about 2.5 cm wide by 5 cm long, though they are slightly smaller in the female than in the male. Each adrenal gland features a cortex and a medulla. The function of the adrenal glands is to produce a variety of steroidal hormones which help regulate a number of body functions. These include glucocorticoids (hydrocortisone, cortisone, and corticosterone), mineralcorticoids (aldosterone and deoxycorticosterone), and sex hormones (androgens). These steroids regulate cell metabolism, stress-resistance, electrolyte and water balance, waste excretion, and other processes. The deficiency of one of the adrenal hormones results in a disease such as Addison's disease, while hypersecretion of adrenal hormones leads to Cushing's disease. The adrenal glands constantly work to keep the level of these hormones balanced in the system. Research Suprarenal Gland
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Abbreviations
Research Cushing's Disease
