Now it is possible to treat severe autoimmune disorders and joint conditions by using steroid injections only. Steroids are highly helpful in reducing the pain and inflammation caused by diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, severe muscle issues, etc.
Though a person can take steroids in several ways but using an injection steroid is considered best among all. Take a closer look about safe injecting of steroids and their benefits.
What are Steroid Injections?
Steroids used for injecting are human-made drugs that are quite similar to natural steroids cortisol which is naturally prepared in the human body by adrenal glands. These naturally built hormones help to reduce stress levels in the body. Also, it helps in reducing inflammation by working with the immune system.
The man-made version of cortisol is referred to as corticosteroids. These artificial steroids act similar to natural steroids. Corticosteroids are not to be confused with anabolic steroids that are used by bodybuilders and athletes for muscle growth. Sometimes these steroids are referred to as cortisone shorts, cortisone injections, and corticosteroid injections. Along with treating many kinds of inflammatory conditions, Steroid Injections can slow down the immune system.
How Steroids are Given?
As stated earlier, Steroids are divided into various forms on the basis of different factors such as how much time they stay in a person’s body or how much time it takes to dissolve in your body.
A healthcare professional can give steroids in two different ways, systemically and locally. If you are given a local steroid it means it will be injected in an affected area while systemic steroids can be given throughout your body.
There are three parts for giving systemic steroids, these are through veins, muscle, or mouth. On the other hand, local steroids come in different forms such as cream, eye drop, ear drop, and injection
What conditions can be treated by steroid injections?
Steroid injections are used to treat several kinds of diseases such as –
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Back pain
- Sciatica
- Allergies
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Tendinitis
- Plantar fasciitis
- Joint pain
- Lupus
- Bursitis
- Gout
- Inflamed tendons
- Psoriatic arthritis
After considering your age, body condition, other medications, and diseases, your health practitioner will decide whether it is good or not to give steroids.
Uses of Steroids
For injection purposes, there are different steroids available. Some of the common injecting steroids are triamcinolone and hydrocortisone.
There are short-acting soluble steroids that are helpful to provide relief within 3-4 hours. As the name clearly defines soluble steroids are ones that dissolve quickly in a person’s body. These are best when a person is looking for quick treatment. We recommend before taking soluble steroids, discuss your medical conditions with your doctor.
Other than soluble steroids, there are steroid injections that take 1-2 weeks of time to provide relief. Usually, they are less soluble in nature as the drug used in this steroid injection takes time to get dissolved in the body.
The duration of effects and treatments depends on your medical conditions. Steroid injections are suitable for all ages. However, it will be best to take doctor’s advice as young people and children get affected by regular use.