Cushing's Disease/Syndrome Flashcards
what is Cushing’s Disease?
excessive adrenocortical activity or corticosteroid medications
what is Cushing’s Disease the result of
a tumor in the pituitary gland, resulting in excessive release of ACTH
what is Cushing’s syndrome a result of
long-term use of glucocorticoids
Cushing’s syndrome clinical manifestations
-hypertension
-buffalo hump
-hyperglycemia
-hypokalemia
-moon face
-sodium retention
-impaired wound healing
-increased susceptibility to infections
-osteoporosis
-spontaneous fracture
diagnostics
-serum cortisol
-urinary cortisol (24 hr urine)
-low-dose dexamethasone suppression test
-CT & MRI
treatment
-hypophysectomy
-adrenalectomy
things to watch out for after surgery
-adrenal insufficiency symptoms may appear within 12-24 hours post op
-hypotension, fever, N/V, pallor, headache, abdominal pain, diarrhea
what are people with Cushing’s disease at an increased risk for?
-infection
-gastric ulcers
-bone fractures