Definition of Cushing syndrome:

Cushing syndrome is a disease that occurs when your body produces too much of the hormone cortisol. It may also occur if you take too much cortisol or other steroid hormones.

See also:

• Cushing's disease (pituitary Cushing's)
• Cushing syndrome caused by adrenal tumor
• Cushing syndrome - exogenous
• Ectopic Cushing syndrome

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

The most common cause of Cushing syndrome is side effects from taking anti-inflammatory steroid medications for conditions such as asthma and rheumatoid arthritis.

The second most common cause is Cushing's disease, which occurs when the pituitary gland makes too much of the hormone ACTH. ACTH stimulates the adrenal glands to produce cortisol.

Cushing's disease affects women more often than men.

Cushing syndrome can also be caused by the following:

• Tumor of the pituitary gland or adrenal gland
• Tumor elsewhere in the body (ectopic Cushing syndrome)