For those who somehow flinch at the word steroids because they are bombarded with sensational news on its side effects and seeming immoral usage, then they really don’t know that steroids have another face in catabolic steroids.
The negative ideas that we have about steroids are a doctor’s bane. When they tell patients that they need steroids, most would object thinking that it will be bad for them.
If anabolic steroids build muscle mass, catabolic steroids break it down. Catabolic steroids are often called corticosteroids which closely resemble the hormones that are normally produced by the adrenal glands. They have primary use in clinical and medical applications. The catabolic effect of steroids reduces swelling and treats autoimmune diseases.
Cortisone is one of the most common catabolic steroids. It is injected to the soft tissue injury to reduce swelling and pain. The cortisone cream also helps in reducing swelling but also helps alleviate itchiness and inflammation associated with skin conditions, insect bites, or severe reactions to poison oak.
Another common catabolic steroid is prednisone. Often, it is used over a long period of time to help reduce symptoms of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. Clinical studies also report that prednisone can reduce swelling of joints and soft tissues. Moreso, it lessens symptoms that are associated with these illnesses. Prednisone is also known to speed up healing from infections.
For short period usage, prednisone and other clinical steroids are also helpful in the reduction of swelling caused by physical injuries and some forms of severe skin allergies. Its swelling reduction capability is also used for concussions and helpful in cases of antibiotic resistant pneumonia or bronchitis.
Some catabolic steroids are also used in treating severe allergies and allergic reactions. There are inhalers that reduce nasal allergic reactions and alleviate the sinuses. As inhalers, they target only a specific area of the body and are known to be better alternate than using oral steroids.
Other non-oral catabolic steroid are eye drops that relieve chronic dry eye. There are also asthma preventative inhalers for those with suffering with severe asthma.
Although known for its medicinal properties, like any other drugs, catabolic steroids also have known side effects. As mentioned above, catabolic steroids break down muscle tissues and as such, if used for a prolonged period of time, oral catabolic steroids may cause serious effects on the intestinal tract. Prednisone on the other hand can cause dramatic changes. More specific, patients on prednisone have increased appetite and can increase weight dramatically, as is also contributed by the medicine’s water retention characteristic. There are also observed mood changes in patients taking prednisone. For those specific medications, there are reports that damage to the retinas may be possible.
Although catabolic steroids are considered to be the first line of defense against many forms of swelling and allergies, there should be a good deal of monitoring on the side of the doctor and the patient to avoid major side effects to occur, especially when used for very long periods of time.
