Potassium level Description: treatment with corticosteroids may cause a mild decrease in blood potassium levels (serum potassium levels) but this has never been clearly demonstrated. Frequency: unknown Prevention/treatment: some doctors routinely combine the corticosteroid therapy with potassium supplementation. Screening: when required, a blood test may assess the blood level of potassium. Useful references [...]
Sodium level Contrary to popular belief, steroids do not cause changed in blood sodium level
Other side effects Cortisone can cause some rare side effects that are less well known in the medical world. For example, a small tremble of the hands is reported by 20-25% of patients. When doses of cortisone are reduced, this symptom goes away. Changes in the voice and hair loss are other side [...]
Pregnancy There are conditions that are unique to pregnancy or triggered by it that may require the prescription of corticosteroids. The cortisone is then used in a carefully chosen form, alongside the expertise of an obstetrician. Pregnancy can occur in women already taking cortisone for a chronic condition. We know that pregnancy generally [...]
Weight and physical appearance Description: corticosteroids are known to frequently cause weight gain in patients. This gain is is usually moderate, consisting of 1 to 2 kilograms of added mass. In addition, corticosteroids enlarge certain aspects of the face. A "moon face" can result, meaning a large forehead and a large chin appear [...]
Corticosteroids are effective treatments that improve and/or cure a wide range of diseases. However, you can't underestimate the fact that corticosteroids induce a number of side effects that are known to both physicians and patients. Many patients assume that undergoing treatment with corticosteroids means that they risk experiencing side effects. A study showed [...]
Diet There is little known about the optimal diet during corticosteroid therapy. Your eating habits should depend on your age, pre-existing conditions you may have (diabetes, etc) and the cortisone prescribed (dose, duration). Your diet will also depend largely on your physician's expertise based on your personal case. A low salt diet is [...]
Several treatments are frequently associated with corticosteroids when they are prescribed for many weeks or months Treatment to prevent osteoporosis is often prescribed (calcium, vitamin D, and in certain cases, biphosphonates) Some physicians prescribe a preventive treatment with potassium supplementation. Patients who report stomach pain after using cortisone mais receive an antiulcer treatment. [...]
Short-term corticosteroid therapy (i.e., a few days or weeks) may be quickly stopped without risk. Long-term therapies must be stopped more gradually in order to minimize the risk of adrenal insufficiency. The dose and duration of treatment will determine the pace at which treatment is stopped. There is no standard timetable. Some consider [...]
What is its history? The Role of the Adrenal Glands Since the 1800's scientists have studied the role of the adrenal glands. At that time, Englishman Thomas Addison discovered a fatal disease caused by lesions of these glands, underlining their importance to the human body. Addison's Disease is a condition in which the [...]