Mnemonics for the effects of corticosteroids

Corticosteroids have many functions and are widely used in the treatment of diseases. Some people have turned the functions of corticosteroids into mnemonics, which is helpful for memory. When using corticosteroids, we should also be aware of some adverse reactions. We know that excessive use of corticosteroids can have adverse effects on the health of the body and easily lead to drug resistance, so we should pay attention to this aspect.

Memory tips:

Hormones are a panacea that can cure many diseases.

One is anti-inflammatory, two is immune, three is anti-toxin and four is anti-rest.

More five and less two in the blood can induce three highs and reduce fever.

Raises blood sugar, shifts fat and separates protein, decreases potassium and calcium and increases sodium.

More red and white plates and less acid, which will cause nerve excitement and epilepsy.

Osteoporosis, blue eyes, and stomach ulcers will be troublesome if the wounds don't heal.

Adverse Reactions

(1) Adverse reactions caused by long-term high-dose use

1. Iatrogenic hyperadrenocortical syndrome:

Also known as Cushing's syndrome, it is the result of excessive medication leading to disorders of fat metabolism and water and salt metabolism. Symptoms include muscle weakness and muscular atrophy, thinning of the skin, centripetal obesity, moon face, buffalo hump, acne, hirsutism, edema, high blood pressure, hyperlipidemia, hypokalemia, diabetes, osteoporosis, etc., which usually return to normal after stopping the medication.

2. Induce or aggravate infection:

This is because this type of drug reduces the body's defense function. Long-term use may induce infection or spread potential lesions in the body, such as the spread and worsening of fungal and tuberculosis lesions, especially when the original disease has reduced the body's resistance. When treating serious infectious diseases, effective, sufficient and sensitive antibacterial drugs must be given. It can cause the previously dormant tuberculosis lesions to spread and worsen. Therefore, patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, meningeal tuberculosis, lymph node tuberculosis, peritoneal tuberculosis, etc. should use this type of drug in combination with anti-tuberculosis drugs.

3. Complications of the cardiovascular system: Long-term use of this type of drug can cause hypertension and atherosclerosis due to water and sodium retention and increased blood lipids, and can also cause stroke, hypertensive heart disease, etc.

4. Digestive system complications:

This type of drug can stimulate the secretion of gastric acid or pepsin, reduce the resistance of the gastrointestinal mucosa to gastric acid, induce or aggravate gastric and duodenal ulcers, and even cause gastrointestinal bleeding and perforation. The ulcer is characterized by being superficial, multiple, and prone to occur in the prepyloric sinus. It has few symptoms, is hidden, and has a high rate of bleeding or perforation, and is known as a "steroid hormone ulcer."

6. Diabetes:

Long-term use of supraphysiological dosages will cause glucose metabolism disorders. About half of the patients will develop impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes, which is called steroid diabetes, and is less sensitive to hypoglycemic drugs. If the dosage of this type of drug can be reduced, it is best to stop using it; if it cannot be stopped, hypoglycemic drugs or insulin treatment should be given as appropriate.

7. Others:

It can cause cataracts, which are more likely to occur in children. Cataracts may not fully recover after discontinuation of the drug and may even continue to worsen. Therefore, slit lamp examinations should be performed regularly when used for a long time. It can also cause glucocorticoid glaucoma. It has been reported that about 40% of patients who use this type of drug for a long time develop glaucoma, so this should be paid attention to. It can also induce mental illness or epilepsy.