A Natural Approach To Health

Living With Cushing’s Syndrome

I had a question the other day about Cushing’s syndrome.

Cushing’s syndrome is a rare hormonal problem.

It happens when there’s too much of the hormone cortisol in your body.

Normally, cortisol levels increase through a chain reaction of hormones:

1. First, the hypothalamus in the brain makes a hormone called CRH (corticotropin-releasing hormone).
2. Then, CRH tells the pituitary gland to make another hormone called ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone).
3. ACTH then tells the adrenal glands to make cortisol.  Cortisol affects almost every area of your body.  It’s especially important in regulating blood pressure and metabolism.

But if your body makes too much cortisol, you may start to have symptoms.

Cushing’s syndrome may cause weight gain, skin changes, and fatigue.

It can lead to serious problems, like diabetes, high blood pressure, depression, and osteoporosis.

Another name for Cushing’s syndrome is hypercortisolism.

Cushing’s syndrome may be caused by:

>Steroid medicine.  This medicine is used to treat lupus, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and other diseases that cause inflammation.  It can also be used after an organ transplant.  Long-term use of this medicine is the most common cause of Cushing’s syndrome.

>Tumors on the pituitary gland.  This is called Cushing’s disease.  It’s the second most common cause of Cushing’s syndrome.  These tumors aren’t cancer.

>Tumors on the adrenal glands, or in the lung or pancreas. Sometimes these tumors are cancer.

Weight gain, especially around the waist, is the most common symptom of Cushing’s syndrome.

Cortisol affects almost all body systems, so it can cause many other symptoms.

These other symptoms often appear slowly over time and may include:

>Weak muscles.

>Changes in your skin, like bruising, acne, and dark purple-red stretch marks on your belly.

>Changes in mood.  You may feel irritable, anxious, or depressed.

>Extra fat on the back of your neck and upper back.

>Backaches.

>Loss of muscle tone.

>Irregular menstrual periods.

>Hair growth that isn’t normal (like facial hair in women).

>High blood pressure and high blood sugar levels.

Sometimes alcoholism, depression, panic attacks, obesity, or other problems can cause symptoms like these.

Cushing’s syndrome can often be cured.

But it can lead to serious health problems, including death.

So it’s important to start treatment right away.

When you have Cushing’s syndrome, it’s very important to control your weight and keep your bones and muscles strong.

This will help prevent diabetes, bone loss, and high blood pressure.

Eating healthy foods and staying active can help you do this.

To deal with Cushing’s syndrome it’s beneficial to:

*Drink 6-8 cups of purified water daily to hydrate and flush toxins.

*Avoid MSG and all artificial sweeteners.

*Avoid toxins, chemicals, pesticides, etc., as these can affect hormones and function.

*Chronic stress, inflammation and illness can affect function.

*Consider liver cleanse.

*Investigate “hidden” allergies.

*The hormone communication system throughout our body is very complex and can easily be “thrown off” by various chemical influences.

*This “malfunctioning” in turn can affect many systems throughout your body resulting in any number of symptoms and/or weight issues.

*Exercise, rebounding on a mini-trampoline.

*Research and address underlying Candida issues.

*Avoid dairy products.

*Avoid stimulants like coffee, tea, soda pop, alcohol, and nicotine.

Recommendations:

It is essential to use:  VitaLea, Protein, B-Complex, Garlic, GLA/ OmegaGuard, Vitamin C.

It is important to use:  Vitamin D, Vivix, Vitamin E, CarotoMax and/or FlavoMax, Alfalfa, Optiflora.

It is beneficial to use:  EZ-Gest.

email:  lenayphillipps@gmail.com

PS:  If you have any questions about Cushing’s syndrome, and would like to know how supplements can help, give us a call at 715-431-0657.  We’re here to help.