Corticosteroids on Asthma

Corticosteroids are a type of steroids that are used in treating asthma. These corticosteroids are known as glucocorticosteroids. As you come to know that you will be having steroids, you may get very apprehensive about its tremendous side effects, you must have heard about. But at times, they are necessarily to be recommended by the doctor inorder to control the inflammation and swelling that may raise alarm. Corticosteroid medication may involve inhalation as well as oral intake of medicines. They come as the only available option when your asthma doesn’t respond well to bronchodilators and other such medications. Corticosteroids on asthma can be very effective and helpful in relieving from its bad symptoms.

The inhalation of corticosteroids works especially in mild to moderate degrees of asthma. When nothing seems to work, that means that the condition of asthma is quite critical and here the corticosteroids are prescribed to be taken orally. Doctors tend not to over-prescribe them as this may lead to many side effects. These drugs if taken in high doses or for longer periods may cause long-lasting health problems. So, these drugs should to be taken the way that the balance between treatment and side effects is maintained. The effect of corticosteroids on asthma thus can be beneficial but only if they are given in a limit.

Some of the common corticosteroids that are prescribed by doctors while treating asthma are cortisone, prednisone, fluticasone, mometasone, methylprednisolone, prednisolone and budesonide. Depending upon the condition of asthma, the corticosteroid dosages are prescribed. These dosages may be decided in accordance with inhalation courses, short and long term oral courses and oral treatment on alternate day basis. Long term steroid medications may result in addiction of the patient to that particular drug. The usage of corticosteroids on asthma can help a great deal, but with some precautionary measures.