5. Iatrogenic Cushing’s Syndrome: When Treatment Becomes the Problem
Ah, the paradox of medicine: sometimes, the very treatment designed to help you ends up causing a different kind of trouble. Enter Iatrogenic Cushing’s Syndrome, a type of Cushing’s caused by medical treatments themselves, particularly long-term usage of glucocorticoids like prednisone.
You might be familiar with these medications as components in asthma treatments, anti-inflammatory drugs, or even cancer therapies. What many don’t realize is that these miracle drugs come with a hidden cost. They mimic the effects of naturally occurring cortisol, thus manipulating your adrenal glands into a state of confusion.
For instance, prednisone can induce a hyper-cortisol state even when administered for unrelated ailments like autoimmune diseases. It does a phenomenal job of suppressing your immune system but can take your adrenal glands on a roller-coaster ride they never signed up for.
Now, you might wonder how this sneaky form of Cushing’s is managed. It’s a double-edged sword. Medical practitioners have to taper down the glucocorticoids, substituting them with less potent medications. However, this has to be done cautiously to avoid adrenal insufficiency, another precarious condition.(5)
