Cushing's syndrome

Cushing's syndrome is a condition that happens when there are too many hormones called cortisol in your body. Cortisol is a hormone that helps your body deal with stress and it's made by your adrenal glands, which are tiny little organs on top of your kidneys.

So, when there is too much cortisol in your body, it can make you feel really bad. You might start gaining weight and feeling tired all the time. You might also get really moody and irritable, and your skin might start to get really thin and fragile.

Sometimes, Cushing's syndrome happens because there is a tumor in one of your adrenal glands that is causing it to make too much cortisol. Other times, it might be because you're taking a medicine called corticosteroids, which are similar to cortisol but much stronger.

Doctors can diagnose Cushing's syndrome by doing a blood test to check your cortisol levels. If they find that your cortisol levels are really high, they might do more tests to find out what's causing it.

Treatment for Cushing's syndrome depends on what's causing it. If it's because of a tumor, you might need surgery to remove the tumor. If it's because of medication, your doctor might suggest you try a different kind of medicine or lower your dose. Overall, it's important to see a doctor if you're feeling really bad and you think something might be wrong with your hormones.