A friend (who doesn't have net access, so I took it on myself ...) was
recently  told  by  her doctor that he suspects that she has Cushing's
syndrome. He seems to have been rather secretive as to what that might
mean  (except that it means some expensive tests ;-).  Is there a good
source of information on  the  subject  that  might  be  available  to
non-medical people?  It'd be nice to know what's being talked about.
--
Verbosity leads to unclear, inarticulate things.
   -- Dan Quayle

There are plenty of sources available to non-medical people. whether they are
understandable by such is another matter. I think Cushings may be an heriditary
disorder, if so the reference of choice is the Online Mendelial Inheritance in
Man at Johns Hopkins. Otherwise look in any syndrome dictionary ( there are
several) in any medical Library for basic in formation. Sorry I'm at home at
the moment. I have had a quick look at a medical dictionary which indicates it
may have several causes. The condition is an excess of the hormone cortisol.
Possible causes include cancer - I suggest she have the tests.

___________________________________________________________________________

HERSTON MEDICAL LIBRARY
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Not really. The best source is any textbook of endocrinology.  I'm
not sure there is any lay book on the subject.  It isn't hereditary.

Cancer is very unlikely.  The most common cause is exogenous steroid.
The second most common cause is Cushing's Disease, produced by
a benign tumor of the pituitary gland which produces too much
ACTH.  Her doctor should provide the lay explanations she needs.
You do have to ask and be persistent, however.

--
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Gordon Banks  N3JXP      |"I can eat more fat meat than you can cook in a week

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