What Is Cushing’s Syndrome?

Summary: Cushing’s syndrome happens when your body has too much of the stress hormone, cortisol, for a long time. While many people joke about "stress weight," Cushing's is a real medical condition. It can cause unwanted weight gain, a round face, thin arms and legs, and purple stretch marks on your belly or hips.

You can get it from taking certain steroid medicines for a long time, or from a tumor inside your body that forces your glands to make extra cortisol. Diagnosing it can be tricky, but doctors use saliva, urine, and blood tests to figure it out. Treatment might include safely stopping steroids, taking new medicines, or having surgery to remove a tumor. Once treated, eating healthy and doing low-impact exercises like swimming can help you get your strength back!

For more details, see everydayhealth at everydayhealth.com/hormones/cushings-syndrome/guide/ (opens in new tab)