Final answer:
Cushing's syndrome is caused by too much circulating cortisol. It is associated with a pituitary tumor and can result in various signs and symptoms such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and osteoporosis.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cushing's syndrome is caused by too much circulating cortisol. Hypersecretion of the glucocorticoid hormone cortisol leads to a disorder named Cushing's syndrome. The most common cause of Cushing's syndrome is a pituitary tumor, which causes excessive production of ACTH. The disease produces a wide variety of signs and symptoms, which may include obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure (hypertension), excessive body hair, osteoporosis, and depression. Another distinctive sign of Cushing's syndrome is the appearance of stretch marks in the skin, as the skin becomes progressively thinner. Treatment of Cushing's syndrome depends on its cause and may include surgery to remove a tumor or medications to suppress the activity of the adrenal glands.