Cushings Patho:

Increased cortisol -> Increased gluconeogenisis -> hyperglycemia

Increased aldosterone -> sodium and water retention, potassium loss

Addison's patho:

decreased cortisol -> decreased gluconeogenesis -> hypoglycemia

decreased aldosterone -> sodium and water loss, potassium retention

I just remember that they are both diseases caused by hypo- or hypersecretion of the Adrenal gland. If
you remember that the adrenal gland secretes corticocorticoids (I always think "sugar") and
mineralcorticoids (I think "salt"), you can pretty much figure out the two diseases of Cushing's and
Addison's.

Just remember: Cushing's=HYPERsecretion=hyperglycemia (increased sugar), hypernatremia (increased

salt) so therefore--hypokalemia, hypocalcemia

Addison's=HYPOsecretion=hypoglycemia (low sugar), hyponatremia (low salt), so therefore =

hyperkalemia, hypercalcemia

Once you remember these ups and downs of the two diseases, you can pretty much figure out the
disease symptoms. You also have to remember that the adrenal gland also produces androgens (sex
hormones) which leads to hirsutism (male and female) and male pattern baldness (females) in Cushing's.