What it means
Named after Harvey Cushing, the American neurosurgeon who described it. It is one cause of Cushing syndromeKUSH-ing SIN-drohmA condition caused by too much cortisol in the body over a long time.Full entry , the wider name for any long-term excess of cortisolKOR-tih-solA steroid hormone made by the adrenal glands that helps control blood sugar, blood pressure, stress and inflammation.Full entry . Most Cushing syndrome comes from taking corticosteroid medicines for a long time; Cushing disease means the cause is a usually benign tumor in the pituitary glandpih-TOO-ih-tair-ee glandA gland the size of a pea, hanging below the brain, whose hormones control many other glands.Full entry . It is often treated by removing the tumor through the nose (transsphenoidal surgery).
For the nurse
Monitor blood glucose, blood pressure, weight and skin, and protect the client from infection and falls, since excess cortisol weakens the immune system, the skin and the bones. After pituitary surgery, watch for clear fluid draining from the nose and for a large urine output, and report either.
At a glance
| Also written | Cushing's disease |
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Related terms
corticosteroid
A drug that acts like the hormones of the adrenal glands, used mainly to calm inflammation and the immune system.
cortisol
A steroid hormone made by the adrenal glands that helps control blood sugar, blood pressure, stress and inflammation.
pituitary gland
A gland the size of a pea, hanging below the brain, whose hormones control many other glands.
adrenal gland
One of two small glands that sit on top of the kidneys and make hormones such as cortisol, aldosterone and epinephrine.
Cushing syndrome
A condition caused by too much cortisol in the body over a long time.