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Nursing Knowledge
Cortisol is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands that regulates various bodily functions, including metabolism, immune response, and stress response.
Cushing disease is an endocrine condition characterized by excess cortisol. Common causes include long-term glucocorticoid therapy, pituitary tumor, adrenal tumor, ectopic ACTH-producing tumor (adrenocorticotropic hormone), autoimmune destruction of adrenal gland, sudden discontinuation of long-term glucocorticoid therapy, and infectious adrenalitis.
Causes, symptoms, similarities and differences, diagnosis and treatment of Cushing Disease and Cushing Syndrome
Addison's disease is an endocrine condition characterized by insufficient cortisol. It is caused by damage to the hypothalamus, adrenal gland, or pituitary gland.
Explanation of chronic adrenal insufficiency caused by autoimmune destruction of adrenal glands
Table: Cushing vs Addison’s
| Cushing disease | Addison’s disease | |
| Common causes | Long-term glucocorticoid therapy, pituitary tumor, adrenal tumor, ectopic ACTH-producing tumor | Autoimmune destruction of adrenal gland, sudden discontinuation of long-term glucocorticoid therapy, infectious adrenalitis |
| Symptoms | CNS irritability, emotional disturbances, obesity, red and round face, muscle wasting, hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy, hyperplasia, tumor, skin ulcers, osteoporosis, purple striae, amenorrhea and hirsutism in women, erectile dysfunction in men | Hyperpigmentation, weakness, weight loss, low blood pressure, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, vitiligo |
| Treatment | Surgical removal of tumor, reducing corticosteroid dose or changing medicine | Life-long exogenous corticosteroid replacement therapy |
Cortisol levels are primarily measured through blood tests, but they can also be checked using urine or saliva tests. Here's the general process:
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