Live Life Team
Corticosteroids are also known by the name of glucocorticoids. Simply, there are referred to as steroids. Corticosteroids are those drugs which can prove to have a very significant effect on conditions like arthritis only when they are administered under proper conditions.
These drugs are associated with the hormone called cortisol which is produced by the cortex or adrenal glands’ outer layer. Some of the commonly used corticosteroid drugs are Betamethasone, Budesonide, Cortisone, Dexamethasone, Hydrocortisone, Methylprednisolone, Prednisolone, Prednisone and Triamcinolone.
The cortisol is vital for the maintaining the balance between water and salt in the human body. This is also essential for the regulation of metabolism of protein, fats as well as carbohydrates.
When the human body develops excessive levels of stress, then the adrenocorticotropic hormone, known as ACTH in short, is produced by the pituitary gland which is present at the brain’s base. The extra level of cortisol which is produced will aid the body in coping with conditions of trauma, surgical procedures, any emotional problems and issues as well as with any sever infections which affect the body.
The normal production level of adrenocorticotropic hormone is retained once the stress conditions are over.
In normal cases, the level of cortisol produced is 20 milligrams per day. But if required, the production will even go up to 100 milligrams per day.
Functioning of corticosteroids
The production of certain substances like prostaglandins which act as triggers for inflammations as well as allergies are restricted or blocked by the corticosteroids by acting on the human immune system.
But they also hinder the normal functioning of the white blood corpuscles whose function is the destruction of the foreign bodies which enters the human body. White blood corpuscles also help in marinating the proper functioning of the immune system.
So when the normal functioning of the white blood corpuscles are hindered, a person will become more susceptible to infection.
When should a person opt for using corticosteroids
A wide variety of conditions can be treated using the administration of corticosteroid drugs. Some of those conditions are rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, lupus or systemic lupus erythematosus, juvenile arthritis, dermatomyositis, inflammatory bowel disease, polymyositis, behcet’s (behçet’s) disease, mixed connective tissue disease, polymyalgia rheumatica, giant cell arthritis or temporal arthritis, scleroderma or systemic sclerosis as well as Vasculitis.
Even though corticosteroids are not used for the treatment of osteoarthritis systemically, a person can be administered corticosteroid drugs in the intravenous form on their joints.
Modes of administering corticosteroids
Corticosteroids can be administered orally, intravenously onto the muscle or veins, local application on the skin, injection on the affected joints directly.
Corticosteroids may be used as one of the ingredients for the treatment of many conditions related to eye, bronchial diseases or asthma as inhalers, nasal disorders as nasal sprays or drops and skin infections as topical creams.
Side effects
Some of the side effects include gain in weight, hypertension, diabetes, development of oedema and swelling, osteoporosis, acne, cataracts and general feeling of being unwell.
