Think Neuro

Think Neuro Mini: What is Cushing's disease - Dr. Daniel Kelly

Episode Summary

The pituitary gland is called the “master gland” because it regulates all the hormones of the body. It doesn’t take much to disturb its function. A tiny tumor on the pituitary gland can cause the release of excess cortisol into the blood, which in turn causes Cushing’s disease, a far-reaching, often misdiagnosed disorder, that causes weight gain, high blood pressure, bone thinning, and even diabetes. The cure is to remove the tumor, which is no easy feat because the pituitary is located deep beneath the brain. Dr. Daniel Kelly and his team remove these cancers routinely, going through the nose and sinuses with specialized micro-cameras and instruments. Cortisol levels usually drop a day after surgery helping the patient get back to restored quality of life. For more information: pacificneuroscienceinstitute.org | (310) 582-7640