A whole series of artificially produced and natural medicinal substances is summarized under the term glucocorticoids. The glucocorticoids also possess a very high significance for the targeted treatment of diseases within the framework of conventional medical services.
What are glucocorticoids?
Glucocorticoids also have an important use in the context of health care for premature infants. Glucocorticoids are not inorganic substances, but are classified as hormones. In this context, glucocorticoids form a separate group, which is classified under the umbrella term of the so-called steroid hormones. In modern pharmaceutical products, both natural and artificially produced glucocorticoids are processed. The word glucocorticoids is composed of two parts of words. In the case of glucocorticoids, these mean “sweet from the bark”. More precisely, glucorticoids are produced by the bark of the adrenal gland or come to a certain extent from the liver cells. In the human organism, the concentration of glucocorticoids is subject to constant ups and downs, which are tied to the natural times of day and night. The highest amount of glucocorticoids is present in the morning. During sleep, glucocorticoids decrease.
Medical application, effect, and use
The glucocorticoids achieve different effects, which include an increase in the level of sugar in the blood, the inhibitory influences on inflammatory processes, and the influence on the mineral balance. Glucocorticoids are used as therapeutic pillars when various diseases have been diagnosed, which can be best alleviated and cured with glucocorticoids. For this reason, glucocorticoids are predominantly administered in Crohn’s disease and bronchial asthma, multiple sclerosis, skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, or liver inflammation caused by autoimmune defense. Most of these diseases are based on a typical inflammatory process, which can be adequately influenced with glucocorticoids. Glucocorticoids are also indispensable in palliative medicine and in some diseases of the red, white and platelet blood systems and the lymph. Glucocorticoids are also prescribed to treat water retention in the brain, inflammation of the pericardium and other specific heart diseases. Glucocorticoids are very effective in combination with antibiotics against infectious diseases. The mechanisms of action in the case of disease are based on effects that can be achieved in relation to specific proteins. If the medically controlled intake of glucocorticoids results in an increased concentration in the organism, the production of the body’s own antibody proteins is inhibited. This contributes to a reduction of inflammatory processes taking place. In addition, glucocorticoids are used for emergency treatment of circulatory shock. Glucocorticoids also have an important use in connection with the health care of premature infants. Infants who are not yet fully developed are treated with glucocorticoids to support the maturation process of their respiratory organs.
Herbal, natural, and pharmaceutical glucocorticoids.
Different varieties of the glucocorticoids are administered in the therapy of diseases. These are prescribed in the form of natural products such as cortisone and cortisol or as synthetic drugs. The latter class includes, for example, prednisolone, rimexolone, fluocortolone and amcinonide as some of the best known agents. The glucocorticoids, also called corticosteroids or derivatives of cortisone, are also used in combination with other active substances. In this regard, in addition to the betamethasone clotrimazole and the betamethasone gentamycin, the clotrimazole hydrocortisone and the fluocinonide lidocaine are equally offered in pharmacies. This is only a limited selection from a large number of cortisone-containing pharmaceuticals. The respective product groups include various forms of application or use. These favor both internal and external use of glucocorticoids. Glucocorticoids are classically administered orally as tablets in varying concentrations and as injections. In contrast, glucocorticoids are provided as ointments or creams for application to the skin.In ophthalmology, glucocorticoids are applied as liquids or gels. Drugs containing glucocorticoids are also available in spray form.
Risks and side effects
Since the application of glucocorticoids involves massive intervention in the human organism, risks and side effects cannot be ruled out. Especially the side effects become extremely unpleasant with glucocorticoids. In addition, it cannot be ruled out that the body builds up resistance and the body’s own production of hormones from the pituitary gland can be disturbed by an increased supply of the glucocorticoids. Although the glucocorticoids are naturally broken down and excreted, those treated usually suffer from a decline in muscle tone, increased decalcification of the bones or osteoporosis, and hyperglycemia. Other side effects to be feared when taking glucocorticoids are the development of glaucoma or cataracts, a bloated face, a decrease in skin tissue. Quite often, during the intake of glucocorticoids, psychological abnormalities such as anxiety and aggressive behavior appear, as well as sleep disturbances and an increased appetite with an accompanying increase in body weight. Children who have been treated with glucocorticoids in connection with cancer therapy to alleviate the agonizing side effects of the cytostatic drugs usually suffer from impaired growth.