Term paper that present the knowledge and depth you obtained in this Essay

Term paper that present the knowledge and depth you obtained in this class. The paper can be from any topic discussed or not in - Essay Example Definition Cushing’s Syndrome is a disorder involving the hormones and is particularly caused by an abnormal increase in the amount of the hormone cortisol or other glucocorticoid hormones in the blood (Nieman et al., 2008). In the case of an overactive immune system, glucocorticoids usually turn down the inflammation system as a sort of negative feedback mechanism. However, if there is too much production of glucocorticoids, especially cortisol, in the blood, then the entire immune system might be turned down, thus leading to a variety of numerous physiological disturbances known as Cushing’s syndrome (Nieman et al., 2008). Causes The main cause of Cushing’s syndrome is the overproduction of adenocorticotropic hormone, or ACTH, by the pituitary gland, which is usually known as Cushing’s Disease. Another cause is an adrenal gland tumor that usually occurs among women over 40 years of age. A third cause is a tumor somewhere in the body which either produces too much cortisol or causes its production, such as tumors in the pancreas, lungs or thyroid that oversecrete ACTH (Nieman et al., 2008). ... However, the most initial step for Cushing’s syndrome is the ACTH stimulating the adrenal glands for the production of cortisol (Blevins, 2002). Symptoms Cushing’s Syndrome is characterized by â€Å"reddish purple striae, plethora, proximal muscle weakness, bruising with no obvious trauma, as well as unexplained osteoporosis† (Nieman et al., 2008). Other symptoms of the disease include â€Å"obesity, depression, diabetes, hypertension, or menstrual irregularity† (Nieman et al., 2008). If Cushing’s Syndrome affects the higher brain centers in the case of complications, it may cause anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, alcoholism and diabetes. Other more noticeable symptoms include obesity of the upper torso coupled with disproportionately thin limbs, a round and red face with characterized fullness, and acne or certain other skin infections. The less common symptoms include a buffalo hump, backache, tenderness and pain of the bones, rib and spine fractures, weak muscles, excessive hair growth in the woman, impotence and lack of sexual desire in men, and certain headache, tiredness and feelings of thirst and hunger (Nieman et al., 2008). Treatment The treatment of choice is surgical removal of the tumor. This should be followed by treatment with hydrocortisone or hydrocortisone replacement therapy because cortisol levels will go down fast once the tumor is removed. Moreover, in the case of patients with malignant adrenal cortical neoplasm, the treatment of choice must be open adrenalectomy (Thomson et al., 2010). Through an MRI scan, cases of mediastinal masses that intertwine with the heart nerves must be done with extreme care so as not to injure such a delicate organ. Moreover, CT-guided coaxial core biopsy to investigate whether it is