According to the Mayo Clinic, oral corticosteroids are medications used to reduce swelling, redness and itching at different regions of your body. Some side effects of oral corticosteroids include indigestion, increased appetite, nervousness and restlessness. Oral corticosteroids are used to treat a wide variety of medical conditions.
Asthma
According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, oral corticosteroids can treat asthma by relaxing your airway muscles. In fact, inhaled corticosteroids are commonly used for long-term asthma control. Asthma is a condition where your airways narrow and become inflamed. Symptoms of asthma include wheezing, difficulty breathing, coughing, shortness of breath and chest tightness. More than 22 million people in the United States suffer from asthma and 6 million affected are children, states National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Oral corticosteroids can also treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is a chronic lung condition that makes breathing difficult, says Medline Plus. Chronic bronchitis (a condition where your airways swell and produce mucus) and emphysema (a condition where the air sacs in your lungs are destroyed) are two specific conditions that make up COPD.
Bell's Palsy
Bell's Palsy refers to a condition where your facial nerves become inflamed and result in facial paralysis. This facial paralysis is usually temporary. The Mayo Clinic says that oral corticosteroids such as prednisolone can help manage this type of nerve inflammation.
Croup
Oral corticosteroids such as dexamethasone can manage croup, says the Mayo Clinic. Croup is a childhood condition in which your child's vocal cords become inflamed and swollen. A barking cough and trouble breathing are common croup symptoms.
Other Uses
Oral corticosteroids also treat autoimmune disorders (conditions where your body attacks itself) such as lupus and psoriasis. Lupus refers to a condition where your immune system attacks the cells and organs in your body. Some symptoms of lupus include a malar (butterfly rash) on your face, fatigue and joint pain. Psoriasis is another autoimmune disease that affects your skin. It is characterized by red patches on your skin covered with silver plaques.
