What is Cushing's disease?
A person with Cushing's disease has symptoms caused by an excess of the adrenal hormone, cortisol, which regulates metabolism. The most common cause for Cushing's disease is a pituitary tumor. The pituitary tumor stimulates the adrenal glands to produce too much cortisol. Less common causes for Cushing's disease include small cell carcinoma of the lung and bronchial carcinoid tumor.

What are the symptoms of Cushing's disease?
Symptoms of Cushing's disease include absent menstrual periods, delayed wound healing, emotional instability, swelling, high blood pressure, hyperglycemia, hirsutism, kidney stones, muscle wasting, muscle weakness, osteoporosis, stretch marks, obesity, and thinning of skin.

How does the doctor treat Cushing's disease?
Treatment of Cushing's disease may include surgery to remove a pituitary tumor and medications to control hormone levels.