Cortisone is a miracle drug, has saved countless lives and allows plenty of people to lead a normal life despite serious illness. In general, the more drugs are powerful and effective the more they are burdened by side effects and toxicity (typical example are the chemotherapy for cancer); cortisone is no exception to this rule. Mainly, it can cause fluid retention, weight gain and blood pressure, osteoporosis, diabetes, but may also be responsible for many other ailments including gastritis and ulcers, early onset of cataracts, glaucoma, muscle disorders, increased susceptibility to infections, thinning and shiny skin, mental health problems. Despite all this remains a very useful drug.Over the years we have learned to manage it better : to prevent the harm to his stomach by combining its administration gastroprotective agents, control high blood sugar levels with insulin and oral antidiabetic drugs, monitor the risk of developing osteoporosis by bone density and the dose of vitamin in the blood D and calcium. If the preventive administration of vitamin D and calcium is not enough we can use other drugs (bisphosphonates) that compensate for the bone loss induced by corticosteroid therapy. The aim of the physician is always control the disease with the lowest possible dose of cortisone and effectively prevent its side effects. The considerations made here apply especially when steroids are taken as tablets, intramuscularly or intravenously, is rather different discourse reserved for topical administration (for example through local cream) or oral or nasal aerosols.
Oral sprays and aerosols act locally on the bronchi , are very effective and their side effects on the rest of the body are very scarce: very recent studies report an increased risk only minimally for osteoporotic fractures. At appropriate doses can be used with confidence even in children. The risk of diabetes, fluid retention and weight gain with the local administration, by aerosol, is almost zero or almost. The most common complication that can occur is a candida infection of the oral-pharyngeal, the same thing in children is commonly called thrush. To prevent just rinse your mouth well after the antiseptic mouthwash or spray with a little 'water which is dissolved in a tablespoon of baking soda tip. Cortisone is a drug valuable and often irreplaceable, we must not see him as the devil is indeed a valuable aid, but must be handled with great care.
