corticosteroid

(noun)

Any of a group of steroid hormones, secreted by the adrenal cortex, that are involved in a large range of physiological systems, including immune response.

Related Terms

Examples of corticosteroid in the following topics:

  • Alopecia

    • In cases where there is severe hair loss, there has been limited success in treating alopecia areata with oral corticosteroids, corticosteroid injections, or corticosteroid cream.

  • Adrenal Medulla

    • The adrenal cortex is devoted to the synthesis of corticosteroid and androgen hormones.

  • Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

    • SLE is treatable using immunosuppression, mainly with cyclophosphamide, corticosteroids, and other immunosuppressants; there is currently no cure.
    • Treatment can include corticosteroids and anti-malarial drugs.
    • Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are used preventively to reduce the incidence of flares, the process of the disease, and lower the need for steroid use; when flares occur, they are treated with corticosteroids.
    • Unlike immunosuppressives and corticosteroids, IVIGs do not suppress the immune system, so there is less risk of serious infections with these drugs.

  • Adrenal Gland Disorders

    • Causes of acute adrenal insufficiency are mainly Waterhouse-Friderichsen syndrome, sudden withdrawal of long-term corticosteroid therapy and stress in patients with underlying chronic adrenal insufficiency.
    • The latter is termed critical illness–related corticosteroid insufficiency.

  • Adrenal Cortex

    • The adrenal cortex is devoted to the synthesis of corticosteroid and androgen hormones.

  • Impingement Syndrome

    • Therapeutic injections of corticosteroid and local anaesthetic may be used for persistent impingement syndrome.
    • The total number of injections is generally limited to three due to possible side effects from the corticosteroid.
    • Corticosteroids actually cause musculoskeletal disorders, which explains the low success rate of cortisone injections.

  • Asthma

    • Symptoms can be prevented by avoiding triggers such as allergens and irritants and by inhaling corticosteroids.
    • Leukotriene antagonists are less effective than corticosteroids and thus less preferred.
    • Cigarette smoking and second-hand smoke (passive smoke) may reduce the effectiveness of management medications such as steroid/corticosteroid therapies.

  • Muscular Atrophy

  • Glomerular Diseases

    • It is treated with immunosuppressant drugs such as corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide, and with plasmapheresis, in which the antibodies are removed from the blood.

  • Plantar Fasciitis

    • Treatment options for plantar fasciitis include rest, massage therapy, stretching, weight loss, night splints, motion control running shoes, physical therapy, cold therapy, heat therapy, orthotics, anti-inflammatory medications, injection of corticosteroids and surgery in refractory cases.