Cushing's Disease: Causes, Complications, Symptoms, Medications, Supplements, and Herbs
Cushing’s Disease (KUSH-ingz dih-ZEEZ), also known as Hypercortisolism or Itsenko-Cushing syndrome, is caused by excessive cortisol production, often due to a pituitary tumor that produces too much ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone). This condition affects your endocrine system and can lead to serious complications.
Why It’s Serious:
Excessive cortisol can cause complications like hypertension, diabetes, osteoporosis, and infections. Common symptoms include weight gain, a rounded "moon face," purple stretch marks, and muscle weakness.
Managing and Treating Cushing’s Disease:
• Dopamine Agonists: Lower ACTH production in some pituitary tumors.
• Steroidogenesis Inhibitors: Help reduce cortisol production.
Supportive Nutrients:
• Vitamin D
• Calcium
• Magnesium
• Vitamin C
• Potassium
🌿 Supplement Herbs:
•Fu Ling (Poria): Fu Ling is known for its ability to promote urination and reduce edema. This is particularly helpful for Cushing’s Disease, where fluid retention and swelling are common due to excess cortisol. Additionally, Fu Ling supports the spleen, which can help balance the body’s metabolism.
•Bai Zhu (Atractylodes): Bai Zhu strengthens the spleen and helps combat fatigue and weakness, both of which are common symptoms of Cushing's Disease. By supporting digestion and reducing dampness, Bai Zhu can also assist in managing weight gain and other metabolic issues linked to excess cortisol.
🔎 Explore TCM Herbal Medicine:
Please kindly note that single herb cards are not part of the Pathology and Pharmacology Deck. Want to learn more about herb cards? Check out our Herbology Deck, packed with TCM herbs and formulas! 
🙌✨We’ve enhanced the Pathology Cards with supportive supplements and herbs, plus included Supplement Cards with our unique Boncho Icons to make learning fun and effective. Use the Boncho Study Card System to quickly recall information at a glance!
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MESSAGE FROM CREATORS:
Knowing both drug and popular brand names is essential not only for NCCAOM board preparation but also for clinical practice, especially when treating patients on multiple medications. To support you, we've highlighted the drug function on the front of each card and the most common side effects on the back. With this knowledge at your fingertips, you’ll be able to quickly identify what each medication is used for and recognize potential side effects, helping you make more accurate TCM diagnoses and create effective treatment plans. Our unique Boncho Characters further emphasize these side effects, making the information easy to absorb at a glance, so you can study efficiently, pass your exams, and confidently apply this knowledge in practice!