Synonyms
cortisone, glucocorticoids, cortisone therapy, side effects of cortisone
What is a hormone?
Cortisone (cortisone) is a hormone. Hormones are endogenous substances that are produced at various specific sites in the body. They are transported through the bloodstream to their respective destinations.
There they trigger certain reactions through their presence or absence. This is why hormones are also called messenger substances. What reactions cortisone (cortisone) triggers in the human body and why it is so important is described below.
In colloquial language, cortisone (also: cortisone) is a collective term for a group of substances that are similar in structure and effect, the so-called glucocorticoids. Many people are familiar with “cortisone” as a drug. Glucocorticoids can be produced chemically and serve the body as effective drugs for a variety of diseases. It is less well known that glucocorticoids are endogenous substances and have a vital function in the human body as messenger substances (hormones). In medical terminology, the name cortisone continues to stand for a very specific endogenous hormone, the first discovered representative of glucocorticoids.
Why is cortisone indispensable for the body?
Cortisone (cortisone) influences the metabolism as a hormone. It causes the release of energy from the body’s reserves. In some situations the body needs energy quickly.
The most quickly available, but only in limited quantities, is blood sugar (glucose). First and foremost, it supplies the heart, brain and muscles. Cortisone causes the other organs to temporarily change their energy consumption.
These now obtain their energy primarily from body fat or protein instead of blood sugar. The glucocorticoids got their name from their effect on the glucose (sugar content) of the blood. Cortisone” is particularly important in inflammatory reactions.
Inflammation can be caused by injuries, bacteria or intense sunlight (sunburn). Recognizable and noticeable reactions of the body are usually redness (rubor), swelling (tumor), heat development (calor) and pain (dolor) in the affected region. However, the inflammatory reaction is important for the body, as it destroys invading pathogens and renews damaged tissue.
A side effect of any inflammation is that surrounding, previously healthy tissue is always affected. The molecule NF-KB plays the central role in the development of an inflammation. It initiates reactions such as increased blood flow in the affected region (reddening), narrowing of the vessels (swelling) and sensation of pain.
This is where cortisone comes into play. It puts NF-KB out of action. Without NF-KB there can be no pronounced inflammation.
Thus the destructive extent and the pain usually associated with it are kept within limits. For this reason, the use of cortisone as a drug is of great importance, especially for inflammations of all kinds. Cortisone also plays an important role in the functionality of the body’s own defence system.
If a person is under stress for a longer period of time and must remain fully operational, his body must not allow himself to contract an illness. For this reason cortisone can suppress the body’s own defence system (immune system) to a certain extent. Although there may be pathogens in the body, they are recognised by the defence system with a delay. Furthermore, cortisone also has an influence on blood pressure (high blood pressure), the sleep-wake rhythm and is therefore vital for humans.
