"When I give steroids to an arthritis patients, trillions of molecules and receptor sites are involved. That is why the blood vessels, skin, brain, fat cells, and so on all exhibit their different responses. If I go to my desk reference, the long term consequences of staying on steroids include diabetes, osteoporosis, suppression of the immune system (making a person more susceptible to infections and cancer), peptic ulcers, internal bleeding, elevated cholesterol, and much more. One might even include death among these side effects, because taking steroids for a long period causes the adrenal cortex to shrivel (an example of how an organ will atrophy if not used). If the steroid is withdrawn too quickly, the adrenal gland does not have time to regenerate. The patient is left with inadequate defenses against stress, which adrenal hormones help to buffer. He can go to the dentist to have a wisdom tooth extracted, a stress that is usually well within the normal limits, but deprived of the adrenal hormone, he can go into shock. A tooth extraction could even kill him."
Corticosteroids are the current treatment of choice for most people when they are admitted to the hospital with any respiratory infection, especially if they have tested positive for coronavirus. Sadly, this approach is likely making recovery even more challenging. Remember that your body produces its own natural steroids, such as cortisol, in the exact doses, at the right time. It's up to you to avoid polluting your body with chemicals and other environmental stresses, and to make sure that your body is functioning well.
by Dr SJ NANA
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