Muscles and tendons Description: corticosteroids weaken muscles and tendons. Myopathy can affect patients in the form of muscle weakness and can become troublesome in everyday life (climbing stairs, lifting). Usually, there is no muscle pain. Cortisone can also weaken the tendons but symptoms are usually non-existent and cases of tendon rupture are rare. [...]
Bone side effects Description: skeletal complications upon being treated with corticosteroids therapy are generally of two main types: Ostéoporose Osteoporosis (= fragile bones). At later stages, osteoporosis increases the risk of fractures, including those of the vertebrae and the femur. Fractures of the vertebrae can occur after trauma or simply spontaneously [...]
Corticosteroids therapies There are several forms of corticosteroid therapies defined according to their route of administration, the duration of the prescription and the dosage recommended. The main routes of administration of corticosteroids are : - Oral (by ingestion through the mouth) e.g., prednisone, prednisolone, methylprednisolone, betamethasone, hydrocortisone, dexamethasone - Parenteral (intravenous or intramuscular) [...]
Mood changes Description: mood changes caused by corticosteroids are usually minors (e.g. insomnia, anxiety, irritablity, short-term memory loss and difficulty concentrating). In very rare cases, severe symptoms do appear (e.g. depression, delusions, euphoria). Frequency : minor mood changes are commonplace. For example, 40 to 50% of patients reported insomnia, irritability or anxiety. Severe [...]
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 [...]
Topical corticosteroids Corticosteroids applied to the skin rarely induce adverse side effects, although certain ones have been observed during prolonged treatment with high doses of powerful forms of topical corticosteroids(e.g., cataract, diabetes...). Local side effects can also occur: fragility of the skin, difficulty healing cuts, spontaneous bruising caused by minor trauma and stretch [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Contra-indications There are no full contra-indications for a treatment with corticosteroids when this treatment is required. However, there are cases where corticosteroids are not recommended: Evolving infectious diseases Severe psychiatric disorder that has been unsuccessfully treated Individuals who have been recently received lived attenuated vaccines In addition, In cases of active peptic ulcer, [...]
How to take your cortisone medication? It is considered best to take corticosteroids in the morning as this is when the body usually produces the most cortisol. However, for certain diseases or severe cases, your doctor may prescribe you treatment in two separate doses (e.g. morning/afternoon or morning/evening). It is usually recommended that [...]