Adrenal insufficiency Description: adrenal insufficiency (or "weakness" of the adrenal glands) occurs only when the steroid treatment stops or is abruptly terminated (generally, when the dose falls below 5 mg per day). This is a very rare complication. The symptoms include unusual fatigue, abdominal pain, weight loss and sometimes fever. Frequency: once long-term [...]
Gut side effects Description: corticosteroids can cause some gastrointestinal symptoms such as pain/cramps in the stomach and/or acid reflux. These symptoms are mild and can be treated relatively easily by your doctor. The risk of a more serious complication (e.g. peptic ulcer, pancreatic inflammation, colon infection) is much lower. Frequency: about 10% of [...]
Heart and vessels Description: hypertension caused by cortisone is usually mild and isn't accompanied by symptoms. Your physician can make a diagnosis after the measuring your blood pressure during checkups and treatment. Furthermore, patients undergoing long-term treatment with corticosteroids have an increased risk of cardiovascular problems. Frequency: hypertension is diagnoses in approximately 10% [...]
Ophtalmologic side effects Description: corticosteroids increase the risk of glaucoma (increased eye pressure) and cataract. These side effects may be asymptomatic or cause symptoms such as a decrease in visual acuity, pain in the eye and sensitivity to light. Frequency: complications of the eye are difficult to estimate. They depend on the duration [...]
Infections Description: steroids weaken the immune system. Due to this, they can cure a wide range of diseases. However, this means that the patient has a greater risk of being infected. In general, all types of infections (bacterial, viral, parasitic, fungal) are more frequently observed in patients treated with corticosteroids. Infections can reach [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]