Question

Compare and Contrast Cushing Disease and Addison Disease by addressing the following questions.
1. Discuss the pathophysiology.
2. What manifestations can be expected?
3. How would they be diagnosed?
4. How would each be treated?
5. What is a potential complication of Addison Disease?
6. How is it treated?

Answer 1

1)

Pathophysiology of Cushing syndrome

Excess cortisol like medicines or pituitary adenoma (a type of tumor)---------cause--------------->hypothalamus produces excess CRH (corticotrophin releasing hormone)----------> excess production of ACTH from anterior pituitary---------------->Excess production of cortisol by adrenal glands-------> Cushing's syndrome.

Pathophysiology of Addison disease

On the other hand, less CRH or ACTH production from hypothalamus or anterior pituitary-----------leads to-----------> less production of steroid hormones from the adrenal glands-------> known as primary adrenal insufficiency/ hypo-cortisolism /Addison disease.