Cortisone is decried as the devil’s stuff with side effects. However, even the body itself produces a certain amount of it and this is vital. Cortisone is one of the best-known drugs and the drug of choice for some diseases. However, cortisone still has a bad reputation, especially when it comes to side effects. Everyone concerned should be aware of the benefits and risks. Cortisone has become an indispensable part of medicine. This much questioned drug can save lives and provide great relief, especially for chronic inflammatory diseases. However, the side effects must also be considered here, especially when taking it for a longer period of time.
Table of Contents
- The body’s own cortisone: definition, tasks
- Cortisone is an important drug
- Application forms of cortisone
- Use of cortisone in diseases
- Side effects of cortisone
- What to watch out for with cortisone
The body’s own cortisone: definition, tasks
In the human body, so-called glucocorticoids are produced in the adrenal cortex. These include cortisol, cortisone, and corticosterone. These substances have a protein-degrading effect in the muscles, skin and fat tissue. They also contribute to lipolysis (fat breakdown), whereby fatty acids are released into the blood. Under the influence of cortisone, the body is stimulated to increase the glucose concentration in the blood from amino acids in the liver through the formation of new sugar, which is why this is also known as the so-called stress hormone.
Cortisone can be used as a medicine in various forms. However, there is a fundamental risk of significant side effects, especially when taken for a longer period of time. (Image: ridvanarda / fotolia.com)
Glucocorticoids have an anti-inflammatory effect. After an injury, they inhibit the inflammation of the wound and its scarring. Unfortunately, they also contribute to immunosuppression. This means that the immune system is weakened by cortisone and the lymphocytes and phagocytes are inhibited. Again, this substance has an anti-allergic component, as it curbs inflammation following an antigen-antibody reaction. As a side effect, however, the reduction in bone and muscle mass should be mentioned here.
Cortisone is an important drug
Many patients have mixed feelings about taking cortisone. They are afraid of the side effects. However, this drug is the drug of choice for many diseases. In the 1970s, cortisone was not yet as well researched as it is today, and high doses were often administered, which then led to more or less major side effects. This is no longer the case today. Cortisone is administered much more individually and, above all, in smaller doses. There are also many different forms of application on the market.
Cortisone has become an essential drug that is mainly used in the area of inflammation and allergic reactions. So this is administered for skin diseases (e.g. itchy rash ), bronchial asthma, allergies and rheumatism. In autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), cortisone can save lives. It is also important to use this drug in the event of life-threatening anaphylactic shock, in which case this drug is always used. In addition, the risk of side effects is relatively easy to control with the correct dosage and strictly limited use.
Application forms of cortisone
Cortisone is available in various forms. The external treatment exists in the form of creams, ointments and gels. Oral use is in the form of tablets. If the gastrointestinal tract is to be bypassed, but the cortisone has a systemic effect, this can be done via an injection or infusion. There are also nasal drops, eye drops and inhalation sprays that contain cortisone.
Use of cortisone in diseases
Cortisone is often used for skin diseases such as neurodermatitis , psoriasis and eczema. Here the application takes place via ointments, creams and gels. Asthma and allergies are also great uses for this drug. Inflammatory reactions in the bronchi are inhibited, which in turn reduces the production of mucus. An inhalation spray is usually prescribed for respiratory diseases. Additional doses in oral form are possible, but usually only appropriate in severe cases. In rheumatic diseases, cortisone counteracts inflammation in the joints and thus puts a stop to the excessive immune system.
Cortisone is an effective remedy for many forms of rash, but if used too long, the skin will be significantly damaged. (Image: casi / fotolia.com)
Side effects of cortisone
If cortisone is only given for a short period of one to two weeks, it usually does not cause any serious side effects. Only in extremely rare cases does this short deployment lead to significant impairments. If the underlying disease requires long-term therapy, an attempt is made to achieve so-called low-dose therapy. After an initially higher dose, the amount used is reduced more and more, in very small steps, until the patient’s individual limit is reached. The lower the dosage, the lower the risk of side effects. High-dose, long-term ingestion usually results in unpleasant side effects.
The external application of cortisone, in the form of gel, ointment or cream over a longer period of time, can lead to thinning of the skin, red veins or steroid acne. If the substance is applied over a large area or on particularly thin areas of skin, such as the face, it can also penetrate the bloodstream and have a systemic effect, i.e. cause side effects throughout the body.
If nose or eye drops containing cortisone are used over a longer period of time, the nasal mucosa and / or the cornea may dry out. In the case of respiratory diseases, such as asthma, the substance is inhaled in the form of a spray, which can lead to coughing and hoarseness over a long period of time. Oral application or infusion, if used for a long time, can cause side effects throughout the body. These include sleep disorders, dizziness , headaches , calcium deficiency , breakdown of bone substance and a weakened immune system. Taking cortisone can also cause high blood sugar levels .
In women, temporary infertility is possible due to failure to ovulate. Cortisone is suspected of promoting high blood pressure and causing edema (water retention in the tissue) (such as thick legs ), which in a broader sense lead to weight gain. An inflammation of the gastric mucosa and the development of a stomach ulcer are also mentioned in the list of side effects. In the worst case, its use in children can lead to stunted growth.
These side effects are not a must, but possible. To a osteoporosis due to long-term use of cortisone, prevent, calcium and vitamin D are administered. Regular monitoring of the blood sugar level is necessary so that developing diabetes can be diagnosed in good time. Especially when those affected urinate excessively in connection with the intake and complain of massive thirst, the sugar level should be checked. A healthy, balanced diet rich in vitamins is important to counteract any deficiency symptoms.
What to watch out for with cortisone
The use of cortisone should be extremely consistent. Since the body produces the largest amount of cortisone, especially in the morning hours between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m., it should also be consumed during this time. This additional dose is much less of a hindrance during this period than at any other time of the day and is therefore better tolerated. Asthma sufferers often need to take an extra dose in the evening to avoid nighttime asthma attacks.
Cortisone should never be discontinued without consulting the attending physician, as taking it affects the body’s own production and reduces it somewhat. If you stop abruptly, the body can suffer from deficiency symptoms that must first be coped with. Gradual withdrawal therefore makes perfect sense. Special attention is to be paid to regular consumption during the therapy so that a sufficient effective level can build up.
Cortisone is an important drug that has become an indispensable part of medicine. Nevertheless, especially if long-term use is necessary, the benefits and risks should be carefully weighed. The use of alternatives should be carefully examined in view of the massive side effects of cortisone.
