[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 7506-7507]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  DISEASE KNOWN AS CUSHING'S SYNDROME

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JO ANN DAVIS

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 22, 2004

  Mrs. JO ANN DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize 
Americans suffering from a rare and debilitating disease known as 
Cushing's syndrome. Named after Dr. Harvey Williams Cushing, the early 
20th century surgeon who discovered the disease, Cushing's is a 
hormonal disorder that affects only 5 to 10 adults for every million 
each year. Symptoms range from obesity to high blood pressure, and if 
left untreated may result in infertility and even death.
  Unfortunately, like most other rare illnesses, Cushing's patients are 
often mis-diagnosed, delaying important treatment options. This was the 
plight of my constituent, Jayne Kerns of Spotsylvania, Virginia. 
Suffering from many of the typical symptoms of the disease, Mrs. Kerns 
went undiagnosed through frequent physician visits and medical testing 
for over a year until an educated medical observation brought 
appropriate treatment.
  I bring Mrs. Kerns' story to your attention, Mr. Speaker, to raise 
public and medical awareness about the Cushing's syndrome, a serious 
and often elusive disease. Educating Americans about Cushing's, its 
symptoms and treatment options, is an opportunity to save lives.

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