STEROIDS

STEROIDS

Subject: Science & tech

Context: With many patients in the current Covid-19 wave reporting a drop in oxygen saturation levels, in turn requiring hospitalisation, AIIMS Director DrRandeepGuleria warned against indiscriminate prescription of steroids, as well as CT scans and tests, for those with mild symptoms.

Concept:

• Steroids are a man-made version of chemicals, known as hormones that are made naturally in the human body. Steroids are designed to act like these hormones to reduce inflammation.
• They’re also known as corticosteroids, and are different to anabolic steroids used by bodybuilders and athletes.
• Steroids won’t cure your condition, but they’re very good at reducing inflammation and will ease symptoms such as swelling, pain and stiffness.
• Usually inflammation is the body’s natural reaction to infection or bacteria.
• Your immune system produces extra fluid to fight infections or bacteria, which causes swelling, redness and heat in the affected area.
• In some conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system produces inflammation in the joints or other parts of the body by mistake, which can cause permanent damage if left untreated.
• Steroids can be used to reduce this immune reaction.