Steriods Flashcards
What does cortisol do?
Cortisol is produced by the adrenal gland.
Function in health is to combat stress.
Increases blood glucose by protein and carbohydrate breakdown.
Redistributes body fat- ‘moon face’. ‘Buffalo hump’.
Powerful anti- inflammatory and immunosuppressive action.
When are cortisteriods used in asthma?
When salbutamol is used more than two or three times a week. Examples: beclometasone, budesonide, fluticasone. They are extremely important long term asthma prevention and treatment.
Only given orally ( as prednisilone) in acute severe asthma.
Usually only a 5 day course to side effects.
Uses for steroids..
Replacement if not enough steroids produced.
Anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive uses include:
Auto immune diseases.
Hypersensitivity diseases e.g. Asthma, hay fever, eczema.
Preventative of transplant rejection.
Some cancers
Local inflammatory conditions
Steroid card must be carried as need extra if in stressful situations e.g operation, trauma.
Steroids and their uses :
IV, IM - Dexamethasone and hydrocortisone. Used for acute adrenal insufficiency. To replace oral therapy e.g in operations and cerebral oedema
Oral - hydrocortisone and prednisilone. Used as replacement therapy as anti- inflammatory or immunosuppressant in disease. Often as a short course in severe asthma
Metered dose inhaler - fluticasone. Important in asthma treatment as a prevent of attacks.
Nasal spray for allergic rhinitis including hay fever.
Rectally as enema for ulcerative colitis.
Unwanted side effect if steroids ..
Increases with increased dosage. Exaggerated of normal effects if steroids occurs.
If given systemically for a period over three weeks adrenal suppression occurs and need to be withdrawn slowly.
Hypertension and fluid retention
Muscle wasting, diabeties, fat redistribution.
Occasion psychotic reaction- nightmares, mood swings etc..
Osteoporosis and fractures in long term use.
Increase susceptibility to and severity of infections.
