Oral Corticosteroid therapy is used for treating patients with acute asthma. This medication is applied to reduce the inflammation and swelling of airways to relieve asthma patients from suffocation.
If you are suffering from severe asthma attacks and getting out of control every day, you can take this therapy for a better experience. Though it’s only used in patients during emergencies, some patients take it regularly to reduce the symptoms of this disease.
But this medication isn’t made of sugar and spice and everything nice! It can come with some harsh side effects. So if you are thinking about going through this treatment, this article can be your savior!
Therefore, keep on reading!
What is an Oral Corticosteroid?
When an acute asthma patient is not responding to any medication, this treatment is given to them. It can be taken orally as a pill or liquid form.
Some people may think that it’s a steroid banned in many states or athletic events, but it’s not.
What are the Risk Factors of Oral Corticosteroid?
What are the Risk Factors of Oral Corticosteroid
As I revealed before, oral corticosteroid comes with some side effects. Let me tell you about those consequences so you can be aware of the troubles you may have along the way.
There are two types of threats you will face from this medication: they are:
- Short-term risk factors
- Long-term risk factors
Short-term Risk Factors
- Elevated Eye pressure
- Fluid retention in the body
- High blood pressure
- Excessive weight gain
- Mood swings
- Memory problems
- Behavioral changes
Long-term Risk Factors
- Osteoporosis
- Cataracts
- Infections
- High Blood sugar levels in diabetes patient
- Thin skin
- Unexplained Bruising
- Heal wounds slowly
You can see that Oral Corticosteroid therapy comes with a long list of side effects. Despite being useful, it can cause a great deal of loss if you keep taking this medication.
Only a better asthma management plan can help you to get rid of this medication.
And the first way to a better asthma treatment plan is to control the severity of this condition. But how do you know your asthma is out of control?
Well, look out for these symptoms I am mentioning below to have a better understanding of the harshness of your disease.
- Do you use your quick-relief inhaler more than twice a week?
- You get frequent attacks of asthma at night?
- Do you refill your inhaler more than twice a year?
If you can relate to these symptoms, you need to talk to your physician for a better treatment plan. The doctor will diagnose your condition and prescribe treatment because of that.
Moreover, if you are taking this medication, follow these tips for better health management.
- Follow a low-sodium and high-potassium diet.
- Maintain a healthy diet monitor your weight gain
- Add extra protein to your diet.
Final Verdict
Oral corticosteroid therapy is also used for treating colitis, arthritis, a specific type of skin rashes, and bronchitis. But this medicine comes with some side effects despite its proficiency.
Therefore, controlling your health issues is the best way to live a profound lifestyle.
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