CUSHING'S SYNDROME Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

CUSHING'S SYNDROME - Assignment Example The paper will cover the symptoms and diagnostic procedure to evaluate for Cushings syndrome. There are various symptoms of the syndrome. The symptoms include increased weight, thinning skin that gets harmed easily, stretch marks that appear as reddish-purple located on the thighs, stomach, buttocks, arms, legs, and breasts (NHS, 2015). Other symptoms include fat deposits that occur in the face, weakness of muscles or bones, and loss of libido. The affected individual may also experience mood swings, high blood pressure, irregular menses, and frequent urination (State Government of Victoria, 2015). There are various diagnostic procedures to evaluate the syndrome. The first important thing is to do a physical and visual examination to note of any change. At the same time, it will also be necessary to establish the individual medical history. The other thing is to measure the amount of cortisol in the body. This is done through urine, blood, and saliva tests (NHS, 2015). The tests will help confirm the level of cortisol in the body. The other thing is to establish the underlying causes for the condition. The first thing is to determine whether the syndrome is as a result of increased amount of adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) in the blood (NHS, 2015). The reduced level of ACTH may confirm the presence of a tumor in the adrenal glands. The best way of confirming the syndrome is through petrosal sinus sampling. It entails taking a blood sample from the veins of pituitary gland and forearm (NHS, 2015). This is followed by comparing the level of ACTH in both samples. Sometimes x-r ays and scans may be