Gaining Weight Without Trying? It Might Be More Serious Than You Think

In these times when COVID-19 is still rampant, most people’s activities have decreased, and their food intake has increased to the extent that there are jokes about “COVID-15.” However, if you are gaining weight for no reason and simultaneously developing high blood pressure or diabetes, it may not simply be the result of weight gain. If you’re gaining significant weight without clear reasons like overeating or lack of exercise, it might be a good idea to check your adrenal glands.

Cushing’s Syndrome

Cushing’s syndrome is when a tumor grows in the pituitary gland, which regulates hormone secretion in our body. The pituitary gland controls the production and secretion of various hormones involved in metabolism, but when a tumor forms, the stress hormone “adrenocorticotropic hormone” is overproduced. As a result, the adrenal glands also secrete more steroid hormone cortisol than usual. If this steroid hormone is excessively secreted, a common disease called “Cushing’s syndrome” can occur.

3-8 times more common in women

Cortisol is a hormone secreted when you’re under stress and helps stabilize the body and enhance its coping abilities. However, when it’s overproduced, your heart beats faster, your blood pressure rises, and it affects your cholesterol levels, leading to weight gain. The incidence rate is much higher in women than in men, and it has been shown that due to the influence of female hormones, women are more likely to develop Cushing’s syndrome.

If not treated promptly, you might die within five years

Cushing’s syndrome can lead to complications in various endocrine systems. If not properly treated, the mortality rate due to complications can reach 50% within five years, which makes it a severe disease. However, it is not easy to diagnose because it resembles obesity. Moreover, it takes an average of about five years to receive appropriate treatment, and many cases are diagnosed in a state where various complications have occurred because they do not know much about the disease and miss the treatment period.

Arms and legs become thin, face and abdomen become enlarged

When you have Cushing’s syndrome, your face changes to look like a full moon and you may also have a symptom called buffalo hump, where a lump of fat rises at the back of your neck. In children, weight gain tends to increase noticeably compared to height growth. Even if they are the same obese patients, when their face shape changes or they develop conditions like hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, etc., it may be worth suspecting Cushing’s syndrome.

An abdominal CT scan is needed for confirmation

This tumor is not easily visible with an ultrasound, and an abdominal CT scan is needed. Many cases go unnoticed if symptoms do not appear. If cancer is found on a CT scan, a 24-hour urine test or blood test is required to confirm whether the tumor is functionally abnormal and excessively secreting hormones, and if so, surgery is needed. The surgery is usually performed by laparoscopy.

Primary symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome

In Cushing’s syndrome, you gain weight in your chest, stomach, and upper body, but your arms and legs become thin. The muscles in your arms and legs weaken, you get bruised easily, and red stripes appear on your stomach or thighs as if you’ve gained weight. Your face turns red and develops acne, and your face and body hair increases. Also, you may experience severe mood swings and quickly feel depressed. Women may have irregular menstruation, and men may experience erectile dysfunction.

The case you need to cure, even without Cushing’s syndrome

Even if steroids are overproduced without Cushing’s syndrome and the steroid level is not normal, tumor removal can be considered. If you are continuously exposed to high concentrations of steroids, the risk of metabolic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia increases. Tumor removal surgery is sometimes performed to prevent metabolic diseases.

Tumor removal and drug treatment combined

Cushing’s syndrome can be controlled by removing the tumor that causes it and suppressing cortisol synthesis with drug treatment or radiation therapy. Cushing’s syndrome is challenging to detect early because it has no particular symptoms. Even when symptoms appear, they are similar to the diseases that occur in general obese patients, so there are many cases where the disease is not recognized. Therefore, if you feel different from the general weight gain, it is a good idea to suspect it once and visit a hospital.

Can the disease be cured?

Cushing’s syndrome can be cured by finding and correcting the cause of excessive cortisol secretion. You can proceed with removal or resection surgery, and if long-term use of steroid medication is the problem, gradually reducing it can be a solution. However, if you suddenly stop taking the drug, adrenal insufficiency may occur, causing severe shock, so it is best to see a specialist.

Serious complications if neglected

If you neglect yourself unaware that you have Cushing’s syndrome, the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, high blood sugar, and infections increases. If you notice abnormal reactions in your body without any problems in your lifestyle habits, you must find a specialist and receive accurate diagnosis and treatment.

By. Shin Young Jeon