For a long time now, corticosteroids have been known as the cornerstone in therapeutic issues because of their effectiveness in dealing with such maladies as asthma, autoimmune disorders, and bowel diseases. Causes of hyperglycemia, suppression of the pituitary axis by the hypothalamic, as well as electrolyte disturbances include some of the adverse effects which are associated with the usage of corticosteroids.
The most severe risk associated with corticosteroids is osteoporosis which at times is the most devastating corticosteroid manifestation during therapy and most of the times it is not prevented adequately. In this case an orthopedist is able to play a major role in the management of osteoporosis which has thus been induced by corticosteroids. An Orthopedist does this by the identification of patients at risk where he can then come up with the appropriate measures for prophylactic actions.
Corticosteroids also induce changes within the necrotic system mostly in the trabecular bone system, through the decrease of the calcium serum and decrease of the formation of bones. Corticosteroids are also associated with risks of fracture mostly as cases of postmenopausal osteoporosis. For the reduction of the harmful calcium serum which is manifested during therapies with corticosteroids, medical practitioners have been using reduced amounts of calcium that is absorbed inside gastrointestinal tracts via vitamin D disruption as well as decreases in the re-absorption of calcium. Also, corticosteroids are known for dampening increases in bone formation through decreases in the creation of type 1 compounds of collagen as well as osteoblasts.
Corticosteroids are also associated with fracture risks in patients due to the corticosteroid effect on the amounts of mineral density of the bones. This has been well documented mostly in women who are past menopause and have a vast fracture risk, as well as having the same mineral density in bones more than women who are past menopause and are not in corticosteroid usage.
In cases of inhaled corticosteroids, which are important components in the management of asthmatic and chronic pulmonary diseases, corticosteroids contribution to osteoporosis has been very controversial.
All in all, in adult asthma patients, a reduction in the density of minerals in their bones is not observed typically except in cases of inhaled steroids in high doses having been used for many years. Benefits of those steroids which are inhalable outweigh any risk that is associated.
These cases of osteoporosis effected by corticosteroids are reduced through lifestyle interventions, supplying vitamin D and calcium supplements, bisphosphates, parathyroid hormone as well as calcitonin. This therapies are more similar to those administered to women past menopause. Other ways of arresting osteoporosis actions include cessation of all smoking activities, heavier physical activities and reductions in the consumptions of alcohols.
