What are the options if cortisone does not help?
Cortisone is one of the drugs with the most reliable and best effects of modern medicine. If treatment with cortisone does not help, it should first be checked whether the cortisone has been used correctly. Was the right amount of medication given in the right way at the right time?
If cortisone still does not bring any improvement, the child should be presented to the treating paediatrician again. If cortisone is given in the form of juice or suppositories for coughs or pseudo croup seizures, it only takes effect after a period of 30 minutes to two hours. If there is no improvement in symptoms after two hours, a paediatrician should be consulted. Cortisone should not be seen here as an emergency medicine for acute shortness of breath, as it takes too long for the effect to take effect. If cortisone is used correctly with the appropriate indication, it is effective in all diseases for which regular cortisone therapy is established.
Why is there so much fear of the body’s own hormone cortisone?
The fear of cortisone is usually based on dangerous half-knowledge from medical or pseudo-medical forums and much hearsay. Side effects, such as those listed above, sound dangerous and may well occur, but this danger must be put into perspective. Side effects as described are usually only to be expected with systemic therapy (i.e. administration by tablet, suppository or infusion) over a long period of time (about three months or more).
In this way, cortisone is only prescribed for severe diseases such as severe forms of rheumatism or serious autoimmune diseases. If cortisone is used locally, i.e. in the form of asthma sprays or ointments and creams, side effects are usually not to be expected. If at all, these only occur locally at the place of application.
Ultimately, cortisone therapy makes use of a substance produced naturally in the body, which is produced every day in humans by the adrenal cortex. It helps to regulate alertness and stress reactions, naturally influences the immune system by inhibiting excessive reactions and also helps to regulate the metabolism of protein and fat in the body.
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