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Multiple Choice

Cushing's syndrome is defined as:

Chronic exposure to high levels of cortisol defines Cushing's syndrome. Cortisol, a glucocorticoid, affects metabolism, immune response, and stress adaptation, and when it remains elevated for an extended period, it produces signs such as central obesity, moon facies, a fat pad on the neck, thin skin, easy bruising, proximal muscle weakness, high blood sugar, hypertension, and bone loss. The sources can be endogenous overproduction (from the pituitary or adrenal glands) or exogenous intake of glucocorticoids. Lack of cortisol production would cause Addison's disease, with symptoms like fatigue, hypotension, and electrolyte abnormalities. Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells describes type 1 diabetes, not Cushing's. Inflammation of the adrenal glands can lead to adrenal insufficiency rather than Cushing's.

Chronic exposure to high levels of cortisol defines Cushing's syndrome. Cortisol, a glucocorticoid, affects metabolism, immune response, and stress adaptation, and when it remains elevated for an extended period, it produces signs such as central obesity, moon facies, a fat pad on the neck, thin skin, easy bruising, proximal muscle weakness, high blood sugar, hypertension, and bone loss. The sources can be endogenous overproduction (from the pituitary or adrenal glands) or exogenous intake of glucocorticoids.

Lack of cortisol production would cause Addison's disease, with symptoms like fatigue, hypotension, and electrolyte abnormalities. Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells describes type 1 diabetes, not Cushing's. Inflammation of the adrenal glands can lead to adrenal insufficiency rather than Cushing's.