Long before, steroids were reserved to be used in cases of extreme medical emergency. Lately, the steroids are being used even for the silliest of medical conditions. The reason is simple- steroids match to expectation level of a patient by giving an appearance of instant cure. Most physicians today resort to the steroids as their first line of attack due to their anti-inflammatory properties.
Steroids mimic action of adrenal glands. The adrenal glands are regulators of body’s general metabolism. Steroids suppress and cease the body’s general ability to manifest a response normally. Low doses of steroids are prescribed to asthmatic and rheumatoid arthritis patients. Prednisone for instance is used for treating Crohn’s disease and bowel disorders.
Inflammation is a necessary mechanism of the body to help protect the body against harmful bacteria and viruses. Therefore, some level of inflammation is essential to stay healthy but if the inflammation over works and reacts without any threat then it results into excess inflammation and produces diseases such as asthma, allergies, heart disease, cancer etc., depending on the organ where the inflammation has overreacted.
Inflammation occurs due to the release biochemicals including histamines, bradykinins, prostaglandins, leukotrienes, interleukin-1, and platelet activating factors. There are other anti-inflammatory drugs like anti-histamines inhibit production and/or release of the aforesaid biochemicals by inhibiting one or couple of reactions in the respective biochemical pathway. For instance, aspirin inhibits action of cyclo-oxygenase enzyme that is involved in the production of prostanoids. That is why aspirin is prescribed as anti-inflammatory. This is where steroids role comes into play; they cease a particular condition rather than offering a permanent cure rather it offer temporary relief.
Steroids that act as anti inflammatory agents are otherwise called corticosteroids because majority of the steroidal drugs belong to family called glucocorticoids.
Following are the steroids that are prescribed as anti-inflammatory medications by medical fraternity across the world:
- Prednisone – It acts by blocking allergic reactions and reduces symptoms including itching, swelling and redness of skin.
- Dexamethasone – It stimulates production of some enzymes that can reduce inflammation.
- Hydrocortisone – They are a group of glucocorticoids that are prescribed to suppress immune system
Steroids thus have to be used in small doses and under strict medical supervision and in extreme health conditions because these drugs have the ability to arise various other complications later that are irreversible. There are studies that indicate major health hazards with constant use of steroids, for example long-term use of Prednisone can increase the risk of hip fracture and also cataract. So curing inflammation syndrome naturally is safer option that the usage of steroids.
