Two Majorly Symplistic Articles

[~MaryO~]

I especially loved this line: "A wide variety of treatments are available for Cushing's disease." Below the ads, there is a place for comments.

 

The article (by a doctor!) is here: http://www.livestrong.com/article/74647-tr...shings-disease/

 

What Are the Treatments for Human Cushing's Disease?

Cushing's disease, also known as Cushing's syndrome or hypercortisolism, is a medical problem in which your body is exposed to high levels of cortisol, a type of hormone. Sometimes this disease stems from using excessive amounts of oral corticosteroid medication. Sometimes your body forms tumors that produce high levels of this hormone. The Mayo Clinic says that Cushing's disease manifestations include weight gain, a round or moon-like face, easy bruising, and depression or anxiety. A wide variety of treatments are available for Cushing's disease.

 

Medications

Medications and radiation can help manage Cushing's disease symptoms. According to The Merck Manuals, metyrapone and ketoconazole can be prescribed. Your doctor will prescribe 250 mg to 1 g of metyrapone three times a day or 400 mg of ketoconazole once or three times a day to block your adrenal glands from secreting corticosteroid hormones, such as cortisol. Drugs.com says that metyrapone's common side effects include a headache, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea and light-headedness. Ketoconazole's side effects include nausea, vomiting, a headache, impotence and a skin rash.

 

Radiation and Surgery

The Mayo Clinic says that radiation and surgery are also a means to treat Cushing's disease. Radiation refers to using high levels of X-ray energy to destroy the adrenal gland tumor causing your increased cortisol levels. Typically, you will receive this treatment for a period of six weeks. Your surgeon can also remove the adrenal tumor to resolve your manifestations of Cushing's syndrome. Sometimes your pituitary gland (located in your brain) produces high levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which serves as a signal for your adrenal glands to make more corticosteroid hormones. High levels of ACTH lead to high levels of cortisol. Your surgeon may perform a surgical procedure called a hypophysectomy (pituitary gland removal) if your pituitary gland is overactive.

 

Other Treatments

The Mayo Clinic says that simply stopping oral corticosteroid medications can help decrease the manifestations of Cushing's disease.Typically, corticosteroid medications are used to treat such medical conditions as asthma and arthritis. If you tell your physician when you exhibit Cushing's disease symptoms, she can taper down the corticosteroid medication and prescribe you another medication.

 

The "related articles" are also very simplistic. Maybe that's all they want on that site - to mention as many diseases as possible without any real depth, no info that could scare people.

 

See how easy it is to diagnose Cushing's! Why is everyone here wasting their time?

 

 

 

4 Ways to Diagnose Cushing's Syndrome

 

 

1. Common Signs

A physical exam is often the first step in a diagnosis of Cushing's syndrome. Several physical signs indicate the syndrome. Your doctor will look for a hump in your back between the shoulders. People with Cushing's syndrome often have a rounded face, and they may have excess facial hair. The face may also be flushed or have purple marks across it similar to stretch marks. A blood pressure reading will also be taken. High blood pressure is often a symptom of the syndrome, as well as depression and anxiety. Help your doctor in making an accurate diagnosis by providing a thorough medical history.

 

2. The 24-Hour Test

In people with Cushing's syndrome, the adrenal gland produces too much of the hormone cortisol. Doctors can monitor your levels of cortisol in both blood and urine. You may be instructed to collect urine for a 24-hour period and to submit blood samples to check for increased hormone levels. Your doctor will also look at your blood-sugar levels since Cushing's syndrome can also cause diabetes. Your doctor will have you do the urine test many times, then prescribe a medication to alter the cortisol levels in your body. You will repeat the urine test to determine if the medication has changed the hormone levels accordingly.

 

3. It's in the Saliva

A saliva test is another option to help diagnose Cushing's syndrome. You will most likely be asked to collect a sample late in the evening before bed. Normally, cortisol levels are highest in the morning and fall throughout the day. In people with Cushing's syndrome, the hormone levels are high all the time. By collecting a sample late in the evening, your doctor can see if levels are still high.

 

4. CT Scans Aid in Diagnosis

Because the problem may be with the adrenal gland, a CT scan or an MRI can help determine a correct diagnosis. The scan can give your health-care provider a look at your internal organs. A CT scan can detect tumors that may be affecting the adrenal gland and causing the increase in cortisol production. Several symptoms of Cushing's syndrome can be similar to other medical conditions. Therefore, a CT scan can also be helpful in ruling out other problems.

 

 

 

 

 

 

As least, others may learn about Cushing's and look a little deeper.

 

http://tinyurl.com/yemgm7f

[GrnMtGirl]

A very simplistic definition.

 

But, like you said at least it can shine a little light on the fact that the disease even exists.

[TanyaW]

At least the article didn't site that darn useless dex suppression test!

[adriennebeth1]

Thank you Mary for sharing this. I wish it were that simple and cut and dry like they make it sound or we all would not be going thru this hell of getting fixed!!!!

 

Adrienne

[OregonChick]

They mention saliva!? Yahooo! I hope more drs learn that saliva is acceptable!

[lydia]

my.... hypofysectomy?? Drastic removal of a pit tumor.