For the first time such a disease as Itsenko-Cushing's syndrome was described back in 1924. The discoverer was the neuropathologist of the Soviet Union Nikolai Itsenko. He stated that the cause of the syndrome lies in the disruption of a certain part of the brain in the nervous and endocrine system, called the hypothalamus. Then, studies were conducted in Amrek, where the scientist Cushing expressed the view that a malfunction in the brain is due to a pituitary tumor. Modern surveys have proved the validity of the findings of both Itsenko and Cushing, so the disease was given the name “Itsenko-Cushing syndrome”.
As a rule, this disease occurs due to the release of the hormone corticosteroid, which secretes the adrenal gland. As practice has shown, it is diagnosed after detecting a tumor of the adrenal gland or other internal organs, such as the liver, bronchi or pancreas. The risk group, as a rule, includes the female half of the population in the age category from 25 to 40 years. This is explained by the fact that a pituitary tumor (the main cause of the syndrome) occurs more often in women than in men 5 times. But there are cases of the appearance of this syndrome in both children and the elderly.
The use of a large number of steroids is dangerous, especially if they are used for a sufficiently long period of time, since this hormone can activate Itsenko-Cushing's syndrome. Any types of tumors of the internal organs that affect the production of the hormone cortisol are also dangerous. Very rarely, a disease can occur due to a hereditary predisposition.
This disease is very serious and even dangerous for human life, but thanks to modern technologies it is quite possible to defeat it. The process of treatment and recovery will take a lot of time, it can even reach several years. Moreover, if you ignore it and refuse treatment, death can occur both from a banal increase in pressure or infection, and from a serious disease of the cardiovascular system.
Itsenko-Cushing's syndrome: symptoms.
The most striking symptomatic manifestation of the disease is a sharp increase in body weight, mainly in the chest, face and abdomen. This consequence is caused by the predominance of cortisol in the body, and this hormone, as you know, contributes to the deposition of fats. Moreover, the human body becomes completely disproportionate, that is, the arms and legs against the background of the abdomen and chest seem very thin. In addition, a hump characteristic of Cushing's syndrome appears, since the formation of a fat fold on the neck and shoulders occurs. The patient's face is noticeably rounded, in some cases the skin turns red.
Cortisol destroys the protein of the skin and thins the blood vessels, which leads to the appearance of spots and stretch marks on the body, because the skin becomes susceptible to the influence of external factors. Due to increased weight and poor fluid excretion from the body, patients have severe swelling of the legs. Naturally, shortness of breath appears, the rhythm of the heartbeat becomes more frequent, and all this is accompanied by profuse sweating. A woman suffering from this syndrome can notice an increase in the hairline on her face, while any abrasion or cut can become a real problem, since it heals for a long time.
It should be remembered that the disease directly affects the hardness of bone tissue and muscle activity. Due to the action of the hormone cortisol, the patient feels weak throughout the body, and rapid fatigue is observed.
Itsenko-Cushing's syndrome: treatment.
Modern specialists for each stage of the development of the disease choose a specific method of treatment. Itsenko-Cushing's syndrome can be overcome either with the help of drugs, radiation therapy, surgery, or complete removal of the internal organ, most often the adrenal gland.