Over time, steroids have gained a bad reputation due to the abuse of some, such as anabolic steroids, and the side effects of others, such as corticosteroids. Available in sprays, creams, injections and pills, steroids mimic natural hormones in the body and are used by prescription for a host of medical conditions. Short-term effects of steroids must be weighed by a patient and physician to determine their possible risks and benefits.
Airway Relief
Many constrictive medical conditions, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, require occasional use of oral steroids for relief. During a severe asthma attack, the bronchioles, or large breathing tubes leading to the lungs, constrict and restrict airflow. An injection of steroids will decrease the inflammation in the lungs and relieve the tight airways. Prescription steroids are used to treat other inflammatory lung diseases such as pneumonia, to relieve the inflammation caused by infection. Due to the immediate anti-inflammatory effect of short-term steroid use, some steroids can be inhaled by an inhaler or nebulizer for quick airway relief.
Soothing the Skin
Rashes, such as those caused by lupus, an autoimmune disease affecting soft tissues, are frequently treated with the short-term effects of steroids. Rashes can cause itching, redness and swelling on the skin that can be painful and unsightly. Oral steroids work by inhibiting the immune response that releases the histamines causative of most skin irritations. Topical steroids are sometimes preferable to oral ones, however, as the side effects are reduced when the medicine remains localized on the rash. According to MayoClinic.com, oral steroids are sometimes used to relieve the joint inflammation and pain associated with certain types of arthritis.
Mood Changes
Most frequently seen with illicit anabolic steroid use, the short-term effects of these steroids involves mood elevation and a feeling of confidence. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, this is one of the main reasons, besides the desire for physical improvements, that teens abuse steroids. Oral steroids, such as those used for asthma, can cause changes in personality and sudden mood changes as well, notes MayoClinic.com.
