Hypercortisolism. Understanding "Cushing's Syndrome"

Document from the year 2018 in the subject Medicine - Pathology, grade: 1, Egerton University, language: English, abstract: Hormones play integral biological roles in the body, primarily the regulation of body functions. Scientific research indicates that hormones regulate a range of body functions such as reproduction, metabolism, electrolyte balance, as well as, growth and development. As such, the endocrine system is considered supreme in the regulation of biological processes of the body. Biologically, the endocrine system maintains effective communication among various body organs.

This communication ensures homeostasis processes are maintained at constant levels, as well as, enabling the body to respond to changes in the external environment. From anatomical perspective, the endocrine system comprises of glands that are located at different regions of the body, which release hormones. The main components of the endocrine system are the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, thyroid gland, parathyroid gland, adrenal glands, pancreas, and the gonads. These glands release hormones through various regulatory hormonal cascades including the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroidal (HPT) axis. As such, any disturbances in the regulatory hormonal cascades results into devastating medical conditions. For instance, disturbances in the HPA axis, primarily excessive release of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) results into Cushing's syndrome.

Cushing's syndrome, also known as hypercortisolism is a disorder of the endocrine system that is characterized by excess release of cortisol. Cortisol plays various regulatory functions in all organs and tissues in the body; thus, Cushing's syndrome affects the entire body. Epidemiological data shows that Cushing's syndrome affects 10-15 per million people, annually. Therefore, this research paper will provide a comprehensive overview of Cushing's syndrome. It will discuss the underlying pathology, symptoms, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of the disorder.