Glucocorticoids in the treatment of allergies, bronchial asthma: how do they work, how do they act on a cell membrane? What are the side effects of these hormones?

Glucocorticosteroids are the necessary drugs for many patients with asthma or allergies. Read the article what kind of hormones these are, how they act and how they are appointed.

Glucocorticosteroids (Civil Code) is a very large group of drugs with a wide range of action. They are used, in particular, in the treatment of allergies or bronchial asthma. Medicines can be in the form of tablets, as well as inhalers, nasal drugs or even ointments.

Read in another article on our website about bronchial asthma - symptoms, signs, causes. You will learn about a diet for this pathology, as well as what drugs are used for treatment.

Learn more about how they work and how glucocorticosteroids are used in the treatment of these and other pathologies. Read further.

What are anti -inflammatory systemic hormones of glucocorticosteroids?

Glucocorticoids are hormones that the adrenal cortex produces in response to stimulation with adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), secreted by the pituitary gland. They play an important role in the regulation of metabolism, since they affect the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates and proteins. They also regulate the water and electrolyte balance, acting on the cell membrane. Natural glucocorticosteroids include cortisone, cortisol and corticosterone.

It is also a large group of drugs, which, due to their wide action, are a very important element in the treatment of many diseases. Read more:

• A great breakthrough in medicine occurred when Hench, and a group of other scientists, found a positive effect of artificially synthesized hormones of glucocorticosteroid hormones for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. They had an anti -inflammatory effect.
• From this moment, a new era began in medicine, because substances were in the hands of doctors that have a beneficial effect on many chronic inflammatory diseases.
• However, it soon became clear that these systemic drugs not only do not cause persistent remission of diseases, but their use is associated with numerous side effects.

Today, glucocorticosteroids are one of the most commonly used drugs in various fields of medicine, such as rheumatology, dermatology, endocrinology and neurology. Since their discovery, the effects of these drugs have been well studied, due to which doctors can now use their effective anti -inflammatory, immunosuppressive or anti -allergic effects, and at the same time control the risk of side effects of treatment.

Another very important step in the treatment of glucocorticosteroids was the moment when local steroids were produced in addition to the systemically administered drugs, for example, in the form:

• Creams
• Ointment
• Intra -articular injections
• Inhalers intended for the treatment of bronchial asthma

The use of local glucocorticosteroids, although it is fraught with the risk of developing side effects, is devoid of their systematicity, which significantly expanded the already wide range of therapeutic opportunities using these drugs.

Action when taking glucocorticosteroids: activity, mechanism, how do the cells act on the membrane?

Glucocorticosteroids show multidirectional activity. These drugs have anti -inflammatory, immunosuppressive and anti -allergic properties. They very effectively affect the course of inflammation, as they suppress phenomena occurring at all its stages.

The mechanism of action when taking glucocorticosteroids on the cell membrane is complicated and is not fully studied.

• Their high effectiveness is due to the fact that most body cells have suitable receptors for them.
• Regardless of the form in which the drug is administered - whether it is intranasal corticosteroids or inhalation glucocorticosteroids - it penetrates into the cage and is attached there to a certain cytoplasmic receptor.
• The complex formed after combining the steroid with the receptor is then binded to the cell DNA and regulates the production of biologically active proteins.

Glucocorticosteroids are drugs, which, in addition to their anti -inflammatory, immunosive and anti -allergic properties, have a strong effect on the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, water and electrolyte balance.

Remember: Only a doctor should prescribe these drugs. This is a complex drug that is prohibited from taking uncontrollably.

The use of topical glucocorticosteroids when stopping a bronchial attack in asthma and in therapy of other diseases: Indications

Topic glucocorticosteroids are drugs that can be used both instead of an adrenal hormone and as anti -inflammatory drugs. For example:

• Patients suffering from Addison's disease, that is, the primary insufficiency of the adrenal glands, is necessary for the regular introduction of steroids with both glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid effects, and sometimes androgens. This type of therapy is designed to recreate the natural circadian rhythm of the secretion of hormones with the bark of the adrenal glands.
• Glucocorticosteroids are also widely used for many diseases where their anti -inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects are used. Then these drugs are administered not only systemically, but also locally, for example, in the form of creams or ointments.
• Such drugs are also used when stopping a bronchial attack with asthma. The effectiveness of this application has already been proven by many patients for many years.

Such a medicine is used in the treatment of such diseases - indications:

• Active form of systemic lupus erythematosus
• Various forms of vasculitis
• Rheumatic polymyalgia
• Mixed disease of connective tissue
• Still disease
• Antiphospholipid syndrome
• Polymiositis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Crohn's disease
• Ulcerative colitis
• Bronchial asthma
• Atopic dermatitis
• Ordinary psoriasis
• Red flat lichen
• Contact eczema
• Bulleous diseases
• Focal alopecia
• Albinism and others

Glucocorticosteroids are usually prescribed along with other drugs to complete their effect. Any therapy based on glucocorticoids should be long enough to achieve maximum benefit for the patient, but also short enough to avoid the development of side effects.

Glucocorticosteroid preparations - Classification: Names, List

Glucocorticosteroid preparations are a very wide group of substances, which includes drugs for intravenous, oral, inhalation and intra -articular administration, as well as drugs intended for direct use on the skin or mucous membrane. Such a classification helps the patient to prescribe exactly what is suitable for him, for the successful treatment of pathology. What are the names of substances from this group? Below you will find a list.

Among the numerous groups of glucocorticosteroids, the most commonly used drugs are prednisone and hydrocortisonethat are introduced orally. These drugs also include substances such as:

• Betamethasone
• Budesonide
• Dexamethason
• Fluticasone
• Clobetazole
• Methylprednizolon
• Momethason
• Prednisone
• Triamcinolon

Depending on the chemical form of glucocorticosteroids, these drugs have a different purpose:

• Methyl -production steroids, such as methylprednisolone for oral use, methylprednisolone succinate for intravenous therapy or methylprednisolone acetate - is used for intra -articular injections or local use.
• Among the derivatives of fluorite corticosteroids There are substances such as inhalation fluticasone propionate, dexamethasone sodium phosphate - are used for intravenous or intramuscular injection and cream or ointment with betamethasone valerat.

Below is written even more useful information about treatment. Read further.

Groups of glucocorticosteroid preparations - inhalation form: treatment of asthma and other diseases, dose of administration, how is it prescribed?

The basis for the treatment of asthma patients are inhalation groups of corticosteroid preparations. The development of the inhalation form of these drugs was the best breakthrough in the treatment of asthma. Inhaled the Civil Code reduce inflammation and allergic reactions in the wall of the bronchi, thereby increased efficiency of the respiratory system and reducing such symptoms of asthma:

• Dyspnea
• Dry, paroxysmal cough
• Wheezing

The suppression of the inflammatory reaction in the bronchi wall also reduces their reaction to allergens and stimuli, making asthma attacks less frequent and less severe.

It is worth knowing: Inhaled glucocorticosteroids help to control the disease and achieve optimal results for patients, provided that the patient regularly takes drugs.

How to appoint? Doses of administration depend on the severity of the disease. The medicine is usually prescribed in the amount of 2-10 mg once or can be divided into 2 doses. Sometimes, in the most severe cases, the dosage reaches 20 mg per appointment. See more in the table in the picture below.

Inhalation glucocorticosteroid is:

Glucocorticosteroid preparations: intranasal form for allergies in children and adults

Glucocorticosteroid preparations can also be used intranasally to children and adults. Nasal corticosteroids are most often used in patients with allergic rhinitis. Thanks to these drugs, the symptoms of this pathology are held:

• Watery discharge
• Part -shaped sneezing
• Itching in the nose, sky and conjunctiva

Both inhalation and intranasal corticosteroids used in accordance with the doctor’s recommendations are considered safe drugs, and most importantly, without systemic side effects.

Glucocorticoid drugs in pediatrics are increasingly used. The appointment of hormones is associated with their anti -inflammatory effect and immunosuppressive action. When prescribing drugs for babies, the pediatrician must understand that this therapy inevitably leads to many side negatively influences on the body of a sick child. This is due to the mechanism of action of this type of hormones. Therefore, they are prescribed in extreme cases when other drugs do not help.

Local ointments, creams for children and adults - glucocorticosteroids: description

Glucocorticosteroids in the form of local ointments and creams are drugs without systemic effects. Used to relieve itching and against inflammation with various dermatoses for wet foci. They help well, the effect of treatment can be seen in a few days after using the medicine.

• The most popular and prescribed by doctors local ointment (happens in the form of a cream) is Hydrocortisone. It copes well with any dermatitis.
• Below are the active substances that are the main in ointments for the treatment of various kinds of rashes.
• For treatment, ointments with such substances in the composition are used. But only a doctor should prescribe them.

• For the treatment of atopic dermatitis in children, drugs are prescribed that are allowed to use babies with 6 months, And some - from birth. List:

With atopic dermatitis, you can also use zinc ointment - read this in the article on this link.

Video: local glucocorticosteroids for atopic dermatitis. Tips to parents

Glucocorticosteroids and cytostatics: Features of application

Often, under the above conditions, doctors prescribe not glucocorticosteroids, but cytostatics (CS). These include:

• Metotrexate
• Arava
• Remicade
• Azatioprine
• Cyclofosfan
• Chlorbutin
• Cyclosporin et al.

The testimony of these drugs is the same as the Civil Code. Often they are used in combination with the Civil Code to achieve the best effect in treatment.

But it is worth remembering that in the treatment of CS, a side effect may occur in the form of a malignant tumor growth. In addition, reduced body resistance to viruses and infections appears. If the patient takes the CS, then with the development of an infectious disease, antibiotics and other anti -inflammatory drugs are prescribed additionally.

Laboratory indicators and their correction are also monitored. If the patient has low indicators of granulocytes, platelets, then he is hospitalized in the insulator to avoid infectious complications. In addition, foci are reorganized.

Glucocorticosteroids: side effects

Glucocorticosteroids are drugs that have a fairly wide safety profile for short -term therapy. Unfortunately, both systemic and local chronic steroid therapy are associated with the risk of developing many poor effects on the body.

It is worth knowing: The side effects of these drugs become more serious than the dose and the longer the duration of treatment. Some of these symptoms regress, but it depends on the individual predispositions of the body in each patient.

Systemic treatment with glucocorticoids can lead to such side effects:

• The suppression of the adrenal glands
• Increased susceptibility to infections
• Osteoporosis
• Hypertension
• Violations of carbohydrate, protein and lipid metabolism
• Water and electrolyte violations
• Development of stomach ulcers
• Decrease in muscle strength
• Development of neurological and psychiatric changes and glaucomas
• Disorders of functions dependent on sex hormones, including menstrual disorders

Glucocorticosteroid preparations for local use, although to some extent they are absorbed into the bloodstream, rarely cause serious systemic side effects. However, they still affect the body. Local side effects of chronic steroid therapy include:

• Significant thinning of the skin
• The formation of stretch marks
• Susceptibility to local infections of the skin and mucous membranes
• Steroid acne
• Inflammation of the oral cavity
• Skin pigmentation disorders
• Teleangiectasia
• Follicle inflammation
• Reducing the ability to heal skin wounds

Although these drugs can have a beneficial effect on the patient's condition, their intake should take place under the supervision of a doctor. Thanks to this, you increase the chance to avoid the development of side effects. Good luck!

Video: glucocorticosteroids - classification, mechanism of action, indications, side effects, mnemonics

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• Bronchial asthma in children: symptoms, signs, treatment
• Diet with atopic dermatitis in a child
• Single dermatitis in children: how to treat?
• Food soda for dermatitis: Treatment
• The best emolets with atopic dermatitis: List