How to keep from gaining weight while taking hormones

Hormones have a relatively strong immune regulatory effect and have a good anti-inflammatory effect. For example, they are often used in the treatment of rheumatic diseases. Although glucocorticoids have a very good therapeutic effect, their side effects cannot be underestimated. One of the most common side effects of taking hormones is that they can easily lead to weight gain. We must pay attention to this aspect. Let us understand how to keep from gaining weight while taking hormones?

How to keep from gaining weight while taking hormones

1. Different potentials, you can choose

Dexamethasone is a long-acting hormone with a long duration of efficacy and strong efficacy. It has a strong effect of water and sodium retention and can easily induce moon face. Therefore, long-term use is not recommended. Medrol (methylprednisolone tablets) is slightly more likely to induce moon face than Prednisone (prednisone tablets), but it has some other advantages, such as strong immunosuppressive effect and easy access to the lesion site. Patients can choose to use it according to their condition.

2. Keep your mouth shut, especially in the first three months

This is the most critical point. After taking glucocorticoids, the drugs change the metabolism of sugars and lipids, which will increase appetite. Many patients will feel that they always want to eat and can never feel full, especially in the first three months of taking the drugs, when the total amount of hormones is relatively large. Remember, don't eat casually at this time. Eat the same amount as you did for the three meals before you got sick. Remember to measure your body weight every day and maintain your body weight the same as before you became ill. In addition, you should also pay attention to eating less salt, not eating greasy or sweet food, and eat more vegetables, fruits, and protein-rich foods. If you really feel hungry after three meals, you can eat some low-calorie fruits and vegetables, such as not-too-sweet pears, guava, corn, etc.; you can eat more vegetables that can reduce swelling and dampness, such as winter melon, mung bean sprouts, etc. If you eat vegetable salad, do not put salad dressing (the sauce is high in calories). When the body adapts to the hormones and the dosage is reduced after the acute phase, the chance of gaining weight later will be greatly reduced. Therefore, it is crucial to hold on to the first three months. After all, once you gain weight, it is very difficult to lose it back, and if you are sick, your body will not be able to bear it if you lose weight excessively. So, from the very beginning, be careful not to gain weight.

3. Exercise moderately

When taking hormones, you should exercise moderately. When your physical strength allows, you can do aerobic exercises such as running, brisk walking, and swimming to reduce the chance of gaining weight. At the same time, you can also move your face more, chew gum more, massage your face, wash your face with cold water, etc., all of which will help accelerate the decomposition of local fat and maintain your face shape.

4. Minimize the amount of hormones used

The moon face caused by short-term use of hormones will generally disappear gradually on its own after the hormone dosage is reduced or the medication is stopped, and will return to normal after several months or longer. Therefore, if the condition is stable, the dosage of hormones should be reduced as soon as possible, and in order to reduce hormones, some immunosuppressants may need to be added.

5. Chinese medicine assistance

Patients who use hormones and are diagnosed with Yin deficiency and Yang hyperactivity according to Chinese medicine can take "Liuwei Dihuang Pills" to enhance kidney function, improve immunity and eliminate the side effects of hormone drugs. Studies have shown that single-ingredient Rehmannia and the compound "Liuwei Dihuang Pills" can counteract the decrease in plasma cortisol concentration after continuous administration of hormones, and can prevent adrenal cortex atrophy, and have the effect of counteracting the inhibitory effect of hormones on the pituitary-adrenal system. At the same time, it also has a bidirectional regulatory and diuretic effect on blood sugar, blood pressure, and blood lipids, avoiding water and sodium retention. Therefore, using Liuwei Dihuang Pills together with hormone drugs can effectively eliminate the side effects of hormones and prevent the occurrence of edema, obesity, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia.