Zhong An Online, Zhong An News Client News When many people hear hormones, they “talk about the tiger’s discoloration” and think that hormones have side effects, eating will make you gain weight, and you will not be able to stop using them… But now many diseases cannot be treated without it. , that hormones can be used in the end, how to use it is the safest? Ma Yan, chief physician of the Rheumatology and Immunology Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of China University of Science and Technology (Anhui Provincial Hospital), will take you to learn about the hormones that make people “love and hate”!
What are glucocorticoids?
The “hormones” we usually refer to mainly refer to glucocorticoids, which are divided into two categories: endogenous and exogenous.
The “crescent-shaped” structure above our kidneys, called the adrenal gland, starts working when it receives commands from the pituitary gland. Some of these cells, called zona fasciae, secrete a substance called cortisol. These cortisols, known as natural glucocorticoids, also known as endogenous glucocorticoids, include cortisone and hydrocortisone.
In order to further improve the anti-inflammatory activity of natural glucocorticoids and reduce their side effects, people have carried out structural modifications to them, such as prednisone, prednisolone, methylprednisolone, dexamethasone, etc. Exogenous glucocorticoids.
Physiological doses of glucocorticoids are necessary to sustain life. Unexpectedly, the “cortisones” we fear are secreted by ourselves, and they are the “strangers” we are most familiar with.
The role of glucocorticoids
The body needs glucocorticoids to maintain normal physiological functions under stressful conditions, especially when we are in danger, the secretion of glucocorticoids in the body increases rapidly , make the body appear faster heart rate, higher blood pressure, and at the same time promote the rapid decomposition of fat and protein, maintain blood sugar levels, and ensure the blood sugar supply of important organs such as the heart and brain. In this way, the body has enough energy to make an effective defense, allowing us to quickly escape from danger.
In addition to regulating the biosynthesis and metabolism of sugar, fat and protein, glucocorticoids also have the functions of inhibiting immune response, anti-inflammatory, and enhancing bone marrow hematopoiesis.
Based on the powerful mechanism of action of glucocorticoids, we use them to treat many diseases:
For example, autoimmune diseases, which are caused by abnormal activation of the body’s own immune cells or abnormal levels of inflammatory factors Elevated, leading to tissue and organ damage or abnormal function of a group of diseases. After hormone therapy, many immune cells are suppressed, the inflammatory response is weakened, capillaries are constricted, swelling subsides, pain is relieved, and the symptoms of autoimmune diseases are controlled.
Another example is asthma, which is a non-bacterial bronchial inflammatory disease that is usually ineffective with antibiotics. At this time, the use of glucocorticoids can play a very good anti-inflammatory effect and significantly relieve asthma. degree of onset.
Seeing this, you may think that glucocorticoids are the “angels” that save patients’ lives, but this “angel” also has a “devil” side…
Glucocorticoids Side effects of glucocorticoids
In order to exert the anti-inflammatory and immune-suppressing effects of glucocorticoids, larger doses are generally used, and these foreign hormones will interfere with the normal metabolism in the body. Causes central obesity (“full moon face” and “buffalo back”), hypertension, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, edema, growth retardation, osteoporosis, femoral head necrosis, etc.
In addition, glucocorticoids can also cause peptic ulcers and bleeding, and have certain effects on the nervous system. After the use of glucocorticoids, the sudden withdrawal of the drug will lead to the inability to restore the regulatory function of the regulatory center in time, the low level of hormones in the body, the body fatigue, low fever, loss of appetite, etc.
How to give full play to the “angel” effect of glucocorticoids and reduce their “devil” properties?
First of all, in order to use it reasonably according to the doctor’s advice, you must actively use it when you should use it, and don’t abuse it when you shouldn’t use it.
Secondly, preventive measures should be taken when using glucocorticoids, and possible side effects should be detected and treated early.
When using glucocorticoids for a long time in clinical practice, it is necessary to:
01 Regularly monitor blood glucose, blood pressure, and bone mineral density to early detect problems such as hyperglycemia, hypertension, and osteoporosis .
02Appropriately supplement vitamin D and calcium to prevent osteoporosis.
03 Use gastric mucosal protectant and gastric acid inhibitor to protect gastric mucosa.
04During the period of taking the medicine, regular follow-up visits are required, and the dosage should be gradually reduced according to the doctor’s advice. Do not reduce or stop the medicine by yourself.
05Establish healthy eating habits, eat light meals, and eat more foods with low sodium, high potassium and high protein.
06 Pay attention to personal living habits, work and rest regularly, avoid staying up late, and try not to smoke or drink.
07During taking the medicine, pay attention to prevent infection and do personal protection, such as wearing a mask, washing hands frequently, gargling frequently, reducing crowd gathering, maintaining indoor ventilation, etc., to minimize the risk of infection. If you develop symptoms of infection, you should actively seek medical attention and inform your doctor of the hormone dose you are currently taking.
We all hope that the drugs to be treated are both effective and safe, but in reality, we often encounter a “double-edged sword” like glucocorticoids, which can kill the enemy and injure ourselves. Blindly worrying about the side effects of the drug and staying away from it will not really solve the problem. We must fully understand it, master it, play the role of an “angel”, reduce the “devil” characteristics, and let it play the best role for our health. (Ma Yan, Fang Wen, Gui Siqi, reporter Xu Huiyuan)