Cushing’s Syndrome

Weight gain is a common symptom of Cushing syndrome, a condition in which you're exposed to too much of the hormone cortisol, which in turn causes the weight gain and other abnormalities. Cushing’s syndrome can occur if you take a corticosteroid for a condition such as asthma, arthritis, or lupus. It can also occur when your adrenal glands produce too much of the hormone. Weight gain may be most prominent around the face, neck or upper back, or waist.