The treatment of the disease seeks to normalise cortisol secretion effectively. The first solution is surgical removal of the pituitary adenoma, which can provide a definitive cure.
However, there are alternative treatments. These include second pituitary surgery (if the first attempt did not work), pituitary radiotherapy, "anti-cortisol drugs" and bilateral adrenalectomy (removing both adrenal glands, allowing correction of excess cortisol immediately).
There is no single treatment. The choice of treatment will depend on multiple parameters such as the severity of the hypercortisolism, tumour status and medical history.
In order to choose the best way to treat, it is mandatory to have the opinion of several experts.
Physiotherapy in Cushing's syndrome is not intended to treat the disease. It will mainly help to relieve the discomfort that the disease can cause. The physiotherapist will be present to mobilise the whole body by proposing daily exercises such as walking, running etc. in order to maintain a balance and avoid complications such as severe osteoporosis, for example. Balneotherapy can also be mentioned. One patient spoke of the benefits of balneotherapy, which she could perceive "I have 3 sessions a week (...) but I realise that it does me good".* (see link to the testimony in French)
In some cases, respiratory physiotherapy may be prescribed if heart failure occurs.
Finally, Cushing's syndrome leads in most cases to scars (called stretch marks), which can be reduced by physiotherapy using products such as moisturising and firming creams, combined with massage to stimulate collagen production, which will help reduce the scars.
Consult your physician if you notice a continued presence of symptoms before taking any steps with physiotherapists.
Link for the interview :
References :
- Ferriere A, Tabarin A. Cushing's syndrome: Treatment and new therapeutic approaches. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2020 Mar;34(2):101381. doi: 10.1016/j.beem.2020.101381. Epub 2020 Jan 30. PMID: 32035797.
- Physiopedia contributors. Cushing's Syndrome Case Study [Internet]. Physiopedia, ; 2017 Jun 6, 09:02 UTC [cited 2021 Mar 25]. Available from: hpps:// www.physiopedia.com/index.php?Otle=Cushing%27s_Syndrome_Case_Study&oldid=172294.
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