Amy Schumer Shares Her Cushing Syndrome Journey: What Happens When Stress Hormones Take Over

Comedian and actress Amy Schumer said she wouldn't have known she was suffering from Cushing Syndrome if it wasn't for the internet trolls. Speaking on her podcast, the 43-year-old shared that harsh comments about her swollen face initially seemed like unwarranted criticism. However, it prompted her to get a diagnosis wherein she found that she had what is known as 'Moon Face'— a symptom of Cushing Syndrome.

"A year ago, the internet came for me. At first, I was like. Okay, everybody, relax. However, things took a serious turn when medical professionals started weighing in. The doctor said, "Something's up. Your face looks different." It was then that they discovered that the swelling on her face wasn't normal. She was suffering from Moon face. A medical condition wherein the face appears round and swollen due to fat deposits (moon facies) on the sides of the face.

What Caused It?

Schumer said that the increased level of stress in her body was due to steroid injections she had been receiving to treat scars from her breast reduction and cesarean section. "It gave me this thing called Cushing syndrome, which I wouldn't have known about if the internet hadn't come for me so hard," she said. Schumer also shared that her Cushing syndrome has since resolved, as the condition often improves once the steroid treatments are discontinued.

What Is Cushing Syndrome?

Cushing's syndrome is a disorder that occurs when your body makes too much Cortisol for a prolonged period of time. Cortisol (also known as stress hormone) is produced by adrenal glands, which are located on the top of both kidneys. It is basically a glucocorticoid hormone, which implies that it fights inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. Almost all tissues in your body have glucocorticoid receptors and this hormone affects nearly every organ in your system.

Here's What Cortisol Does To Your Body?

Regulates body's stress response: During times of stress, your body can release cortisol after releasing its "fight or flight" hormones, such as adrenaline, so you continue to stay on high alert. In addition, cortisol triggers the release of glucose (sugar) from your liver for fast energy during times of stress.

Regulating Metabolism: Cortisol helps control how your body uses fats, proteins and carbohydrates for energy.

Suppressing Inflammation: In short spurts, cortisol can boost your immunity by limiting inflammation. However, if you have consistently high levels of cortisol, your body can get used to having too much cortisol in your blood, which can lead to inflammation and a weakened immune system.

Regulate Blood Pressure: The exact way in which cortisol regulates blood pressure in humans is unclear. However, elevated levels of cortisol can cause high blood pressure, and lower-than-normal levels of cortisol can cause low blood pressure.

Increase And Regulate Blood Sugar: Under normal circumstances, cortisol counterbalances the effect of insulin, a hormone your pancreas makes to regulate your blood sugar. Cortisol raises blood sugar by releasing stored glucose, while insulin lowers blood sugar. Having chronically high cortisol levels can lead to persistent high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). This can cause Type 2 diabetes.

Helps Control Sleep-Wake Cycle: Under regular circumstances, you have lower cortisol levels in the evening when you go to sleep and peak levels in the morning right before you wake up. This suggests that cortisol plays a significant role in the initiation of wakefulness and plays a part in your body’s circadian rhythm.

Optimum cortisol levels are necessary for life and for maintaining several bodily functions. If you have consistently high or low cortisol levels, it can have negative impacts on your overall health.

How Is Level of Cortisol Controlled?

The amount of cortisol secreted in your body is controlled by Hypothalamus and Pituitary gland. When the levels of cortisol in your blood fall, your hypothalamus releases corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), which directs your pituitary gland to produce adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). ACTH then stimulates your adrenal glands to produce and release cortisol. If cortisol is produced in excess, then it triggers Cushing Syndrome.