Know More About the Rare Cushing’s Syndrome

Dr.Neelam Meena, 4 mins read

Imagine waking up one day and realizing that your body has slowly become unrecognizable to you. Your face looks rounder, your waistline has expanded even though your arms and legs seem thinner, your skin bruises easily, and no matter how much you rest, the tiredness does not leave. It is easy to blame weight gain, stress, or “getting older,” but for some people, these changes are signs of something deeper and far more complex: Cushing’s syndrome, often called the “invisible illness” because it hides in plain sight behind everyday symptoms.

What is Cushing’s syndrome?

Cushing’s syndrome happens when the body is exposed to too much cortisol, a hormone that normally helps manage stress, blood pressure, blood sugar, and the immune system. When cortisol levels stay high for a long time, it stops protecting the body and starts harming it, leading to a wide range of physical and emotional changes. Sometimes, Cushing’s syndrome develops because of long-term use of steroid medicines prescribed for conditions like asthma, arthritis, or autoimmune diseases. In other cases, the body itself produces excess cortisol due to problems in the adrenal glands, pituitary gland (Cushing’s disease), or rarely, hormone-producing tumors elsewhere in the body.

Why does it often go unnoticed?

Part of what makes this condition so emotionally exhausting is that its signs can be mistaken for “lifestyle issues.” Common features include weight gain around the abdomen, a rounded “moon” face, a pad of fat on the upper back (“buffalo hump”), purple stretch marks, acne, and thinning, fragile skin that bruises easily. On top of the physical changes, many people also struggle with mood swings, anxiety, depression, poor concentration, fatigue, and sleep problems. When these issues appear slowly over months or years, patients are often told to just diet, exercise more, or “manage stress better,” which can make them feel misunderstood and dismissed.

Living with an “invisible” burden

Beyond lab reports and scans, Cushing’s syndrome affects self-esteem, relationships, and daily life in very real ways. Many people feel embarrassed by the way their body looks, avoid social situations, or withdraw from activities they once enjoyed because of pain, weakness, or exhaustion. Simple tasks such as climbing stairs, lifting groceries, or getting through a workday can become difficult due to muscle weakness and fatigue. Frequent infections, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and bone loss add to the burden, increasing health risks and anxiety about the future.

Getting the right diagnosis

Because Cushing’s syndrome is uncommon and its symptoms overlap with many other conditions, diagnosis can take time. Doctors usually confirm excess cortisol through tests like 24‑hour urine cortisol, late-night salivary cortisol, or a low-dose dexamethasone suppression test. Once high cortisol is confirmed, further blood tests and scans help identify the source-whether it is medication-related, adrenal, pituitary, or another cause. This step is crucial because the exact treatment depends on what is driving the cortisol excess in the first place.

Treatment, hope, and support

The good news is that with the right care, Cushing’s syndrome is treatable, and many people improve significantly over time. Treatment options may include gradually adjusting steroid medicines, surgery to remove hormone-producing tumors, targeted radiation, or medications that help control cortisol levels. Recovery can be slow and requires regular follow-ups, but early diagnosis and a coordinated approach from endocrinologists and other specialists can greatly reduce complications and improve quality of life. At Aakash Healthcare, a multidisciplinary endocrinology and critical care team can work together to investigate unexplained symptoms like rapid weight gain, irregular periods, or uncontrolled blood pressure with a more holistic lens, rather than dismissing them as “just lifestyle.

When to seek help?

If you or someone you love is experiencing a combination of rapid central weight gain, a rounder face, new stretch marks, easy bruising, mood changes, or uncontrolled diabetes or blood pressure, it is worth asking whether cortisol could be part of the story. Keeping a diary of symptoms, noting changes in appearance, and listing all medicines (especially long-term steroid use) can help your doctor see the full picture. You do not have to navigate this invisible illness alone. With compassionate evaluation, timely diagnosis, and ongoing support, people living with Cushing’s syndrome can reclaim their energy, confidence, and sense of self, and healthcare teams like those at Aakash Healthcare Super Speciality Hospital, Dwarka, are committed to walking that path with them, every step of the way.