Corticosteroid medication is applicable to a variety of conditions. They are available in oral, inhaler, topical and injection forms, and are usually the front-line medical treatments for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, asthma and allergies, according to MayoClinic.com. Depending on a patient's condition, corticosteroids may become ineffective overtime. Physicians usually prescribe stronger corticosteroids for shorter time periods or use regional corticosteroids to treat specific areas of the body, which prevents adverse reactions.
Anti-inflammatory Effect
A corticosteroid inhaler, intranasal sprays, creams and injections help to reduce inflammation in a myriad of health conditions. Eczema, for example, uses corticosteroid treatment to rapidly and effectively reduces inflammation that can cause incessant itching, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Asthmatics also use corticosteroid inhalers such as budesonide and fluticasone to reduce the inflammation of the lungs that cause hypersensitivity and asthma attacks. The relative small dosing of asthma inhalers allows for continual use without compromising the overall health of a patient. Corticosteroid injections also help to reduce inflammation associated with arthritis in which tissue surrounding the joints swells and causes pain.
Immune System Supression
Corticosteroids can suppress the immune system, which can either be detrimental to patients or helpful for those taking it for this purpose. This is particularly beneficial for individuals experiencing an illness in which the body mistakenly attacks its own tissues, according to MayoClinic.com. This is applicable in instances of organ transplants where corticosteroids in combination with other immunosuppressive drugs help the body to accept the organ as well as initiate function, according to the University of Cincinnati Academic Health Center.
Alternately, however, corticosteroids can cause serious health conditions if the immune system is suppressed for long periods of time. Patients with naturally suppressed immune response such as those with cancer, HIV or AIDS can quickly worsen if a corticosteroid regimen is too long. Physicians will usually prescribe a localized corticosteroid therapy to circumvent a total body response, which includes asthma inhalers that only affect the lungs.
Mimic Hormonal Effects
Corticosteroid agents mimic the endogenous steroid hormones that the adrenal cortex produces, which include aldosterone and cortisol, according to the American Family Physician. While several corticosteroids possess the properties of both hormones, hydrocortisone, cortisone, prednisone and prenisolone provide the glucocorticoid effect, which is the hormone responsible for metabolically preparing individuals for physical exercise and stress, as well as providing anti-inflammatory and immune system response effects. Alternately, fludrocortisone is used for its mineralocorticoid activity, which is beneifical for its salt-retaining properties.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Prednisone and Other Corticosteroids
- American Academy of Dermatology: Corticosteroids
- Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America: Corticosteroids
- University of Cincinnati Academic Health Center: Decade-Long Trial Confirms Benefits of Steroid Withdrawal for Transplant Patients
- American Family Physician: A Different Look at Corticosteroids
Member Comments