: 500 Other signs include increased urination (and accompanying increased thirst), persistent high blood pressure (due to cortisols enhancement of epinephrines vasoconstrictive effect) and insulin resistance (especially common with ACTH production outside the pituitary), leading to high blood sugar and insulin resistance which can lead to diabetes mellitus. Insulin resistance is accompanied by skin changes such as acanthosis nigricans in the axilla and around the neck, as well as skin tags in the axilla. Untreated Cushings syndrome can lead to heart disease and increased mortality. Cortisol can also exhibit mineralocorticoid activity in high concentrations, worsening the hypertension and leading to hypokalemia (common in ectopic ACTH secretion) and hypernatremia (increased Na+ ions concentration in plasma). Furthermore, excessive cortisol may lead to gastrointestinal disturbances, opportunistic infections, and impaired wound healing related to cortisols suppression of the immune and inflammatory responses. Osteoporosis is also an issue in Cushings syndrome since osteoblast activity is inhibited. Additionally, Cushings syndrome may cause sore and aching joints, particularly in the hip, shoulders, and lower back.Brain changes such as cerebral atrophy may occur. This atrophy is associated with areas of high glucocorticoid receptor concentrations such as the hippocampus and correlates highly with psychopathological personality changes. Rapid weight gain
Moodiness, irritability, or depression
Muscle and bone weakness
Memory and attention dysfunction
Osteoporosis
Diabetes mellitus
Hypertension
Immune suppression
Sleep disturbances
Menstrual disorders such as amenorrhea in women
Infertility in women
Impotence in men
Hirsutism
Baldness
Hypercholesterolemia

Hyperpigmentation
Cushings syndrome due to excess ACTH may also result in hyperpigmentation. This is due to melanocyte-stimulating hormone production as a byproduct of ACTH synthesis from pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC).
This clinical situation is known as Nelsons syndrome. Epidemiology
Cushings syndrome caused by treatment with corticosteroids is the most common form. Cushings disease is rare; a Danish study found an incidence of less than one case per million people per year. However, asymptomatic microadenomas (less than 10 mm in size) of the pituitary are found in about one in six individuals.People with Cushings syndrome have increased morbidity and mortality as compared to the general population. The most common cause of mortality in Cushings syndrome is cardiovascular events. People with Cushings syndrome have nearly 4 times increased cardiovascular mortality as compared to the general population.About 0.9 to 1% of those with Cushings syndrome has tendency to develop venous thrombosis. Other factors such as surgery and obesity also increases the chance of getting thrombosis. Other animals
For more information on the form in horses, see pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction. See also
Addisons disease
Adrenal insufficiency (hypocortisolism)
Corticosteroid-induced lipodystrophy

References
External links
"Cushings Syndrome". MedlinePlus. U.S. National Library of Medicine.