Most people have misconceptions about the causes and symptoms of cataract. Cataract is not a film that covers the eye. This happens not only to aging individuals but also to children and middle-aged individuals.

Cataract is the clouding of the eye’s natural lens. People who have cataract experience blurred vision, sensitivity to the light, poor night vision, double vision in one eye, and they see colors as if they are faded or yellowish.

From eyeSmart:

People who use both inhaled and oral steroids (corticosteroids) may be at increased risk for cataracts, according to a recent study. Many people with asthma rely on inhaled, and sometimes oral, steroids, as do people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The study assessed the inhaled and/or oral steroid use and cataract status of more than 3,600 people, following them for up to ten years. Increased cataract risks were found only in patients who, at the start of the study had ever used inhaled steroids, had used oral steroids for at least one month, and had no cataracts. Although only a small number of patients met these criteria, nearly all of them—seven of 10—were found to have cataracts in follow-up exams. You should talk with your doctor if you are prescribed both oral and inhaled steroids because of the potential for increased cataract risk.

According to a study that involved 3,600 patients who are using oral or inhaled steroid medications showed that they are prone to develop cataracts. It revealed that seven out of 10 patients acquired cataracts since they use steroids over a long period of time.

Aside from aging and steroid medications, there are other medicines which can contribute to cataracts such as psoralens, a class of drugs used along with light therapy to treat skin disorders, such as psoriasis; antipsychotic medications and glaucoma medications.

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AIDS wasting, which leads to significant weight loss in people with HIV, causes severe loss of weight and muscle and can lead to muscle weakness, organ failure and shortened lifespan. Body wasting stems from loss of the body’s ability to grow muscle and from low testosterone level.

In order to address this condition, scientists have discovered the benefits of anabolic steroids. Anabolic steroids are administered either orally or through intramuscular injection. These drugs stimulate protein synthesis which helps in creating new muscle tissues. They also provide cells with sufficient time to regenerate.

From MedicineWorld.Org:

People with HIV who are treated with anabolic steroids to prevent AIDS wasting may realize modest gains in weight and muscle mass, a new review shows.

The review covered 13 studies of adults age 24 to 42 with HIV, 294 of whom received anabolic steroids for at least six weeks and 238 of whom received placebo. The average weight increase in those taking anabolic steroids was nearly three pounds.

AIDS wasting, which leads to significant weight loss in people with HIV, causes severe loss of weight and muscle and can lead to muscle weakness, organ failure and shortened lifespan. Scientists have long sought to reverse this common, destructive effect of HIV with mixed success.

Eventhough most recently in the news for their misuse by professional athletes, anabolic steroids have legitimate medical application for men with low testosterone and people with certain types of anemia. Two anabolic steroids available in the United States, nandrolone decanoate and oxandrolone, have been used to help increase weight and muscle mass in small studies of people with wasting.

In a review that covered 13 studies of adults age 24 to 42 with HIV, 294 of whom received anabolic steroids for at least six weeks and 238 of whom received placebo. The average weight increase in those taking anabolic steroids was nearly three pounds.

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Children with severe inflammation of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) can be treated with a variety of medications available in the market. One of these treatments is steroids or corticosteroids such as prednisone which stops the inflammation of the lining around the heart. This can be administered through intravenous method or oral intakes.

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) happens when the body immune system mistakenly identifies some of its own cells and tissues as foreign bodies.

From Web MD:

Several types of medications are available to treat JRA.

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) include Advil (ibuprofen), and Aleve (naproxen), and other prescription drugs. NSAIDs are often the first type of medication used. Most doctors don’t treat children with aspirin because of the possibility that it will cause bleeding problems, stomach upset, liver problems, or Reye’s syndrome.

• Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are often used if NSAIDs don’t provide sufficient relief. DMARDs slow the progression of JRA, but because they take weeks or months to relieve symptoms, they often are taken with an NSAID.

• Corticosteroids, or steroids, such as prednisone may be used in children with severe JRA. These drugs can help stop serious symptoms such as inflammation of the lining around the heart (pericarditis). Steroids for JRA can be given either directly into the vein or by mouth. Steroids can interfere with a child’s normal growth and can cause other side effects, such as a round face, weight gain, weakened bones, and increased susceptibility to infections.

• Biologic agents such as Enbrel may be given to children if other drugs don’t work. Enbrel blocks the action of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), a naturally occurring protein in the body that causes inflammation.

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis usually shows symptoms such as joint inflammation and stiffness that last for more than six weeks. This condition happens to children aged 16 or younger.

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As per a study conducted as a part of the Cochrane Systematic Review by a team of researchers including Professor Brian Rowe and Carol Spooner, a short course of corticosteroids can help in minimizing the chances of an asthma attack relapse to a considerable extent.

The study also revealed that administering steroids to asthma patients after their discharge from the hospital can also help in minimizing the use of inhalers for approximately a period of three weeks.

From Bio-Medicine.Org:

As part of the study, researchers analyzed data in six trials that together involved 374 people.

The study found that between 12 percent and 16 percent of people who were discharged from hospital after having asthma attack had a relapse within two weeks.

There is considerable debate about the best way of treating people who have asthma attacks, including the dose, method of delivery and timing of delivery of corticosteroids. Our research found clear evidence that people who arrived at a hospital with acute asthma and were well enough to be discharged benefited from the addition of corticosteroid therapy, Rowe said.

Spooner remarked that the findings will offer great relief to acute asthma patients. It was also remarked that the addition of systemic corticosteroids in treatment of outpatients is expected to be an effective form of treatment going forward.

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Patients who are taking corticosteroids medication should consider taking bone density tests because prolonged use of steroids or corticosteroids can cause osteoporosis and thinning of the bones.

From Healthline:

Corticosteroids (often called glucocorticoids or steroids) are very powerful medications used to treat many different medical problems and illnesses, from allergic reactions to inflammatory diseases such as lupus and asthma. Unfortunately, taking these medications for more than a few months, even at relatively low doses, can indeed lead to significant loss of bone, or osteoporosis. Even using a high-dose corticosteroid inhaler (often prescribed for asthma) has been shown to sometimes lead to thinning of bones.

However, corticosteroids are often life-saving medicines and may need to be taken for many years. It is important never to stop them without discussing it with your doctor. So prevention of osteoporosis in people who must take these drugs is very important. What can you do to try and prevent this complication? Most people need adequate calcium in their diet (1,500-2,000 mg per day) and some form of vitamin D replacement. Weight-bearing exercise (such as walking or running) helps counteract the bone loss and is recommended. In addition, you should stop smoking if you smoke, and cut back on drinking alcohol if you drink.

There are also prescription medications that might help prevent the development of thin bones in people taking corticosteroids. Clinical trials have shown that medications known as bisphosphonates, which include drugs like Fosamax and Actonel, are effective in preventing the development of thin bones from corticosteroids. Another drug called calcitonin is an alternative for patients to prevent thin bones.

Although corticosteroids or steroids offer numerous medical purposes, it must not be administered for long-term medication because of its potential health consequences. To prevent bone loss or osteoporosis, patients must discuss these concerns with their physician.

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Researchers proved that if steroids were given to the cardiac patients after surgery patients survived relatively 63% of the total lot. Out of 241 patients who underwent steroid therapy, the increased chance of stroke fell from 48% to 30%. Patients were given 100-mg hydrocortisone in a randomized manner. Added to this was an oral metoprolol titrated to heart rate.

Jari Halonen, M.D., of Kuopio University Hospital, and colleagues reported “Atrial fibrillation occurrence generally ranges from 20% to 40% after a coronary artery bypass graft and is even higher after valve and combined valve and bypass surgery”, in the April 11 issue of Journal of the American Medical Association.

From medpage today:

Intravenous hydrocortisone after cardiac surgery had a 37% lower relative risk of post-op atrial fibrillation compared with placebo, researchers here reported.

The rate of atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery, with its increased likelihood of stroke, fell from 48% to 30%, a reduced relative risk of 37%, when 241 patients were randomized to receive 100-mg hydrocortisone or matching placebo on the evening of the operative day, and then one dose every eight hours for three days.

Afib occurrence generally ranges from 20% to 40% after a coronary artery bypass graft and is even higher after valve and combined valve and bypass surgery, Jari Halonen, M.D., of Kuopio University Hospital, and colleagues reported in the April 11 issue of Journal of the American Medical Association.

To confirm that corticosteroid treatment, large trials were needed large trials were needed. On comparing with the placebo patients, steroid therapy proved to be far more effective in this case. The steroid patients had far less post-op infections or other complications such as mediastinitis, stroke, myocardial infarction, conduction disturbances, or re-sternotomy caused by bleeding or any psychotic disorders occurred in either group.

The studies conclude that this Intravenous Hydrocortisone therapy for patients after having cardiac surgery was effective and well tolerated and reduced the likelihood of atrial fibrillation and other complications when given on the day of operation.

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Plavix allergic reactions can be treated with a combination of antihistamines and steroids, as per a latest study by doctors from the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.

Plavix, or Clopidogrel, is considered to be one of the most prescribed drugs in the medical world. However, around six percent of this drug’s users complain of allergic reactions. But, the above findings clearly suggest that Plavix allergic reactions would no longer be a cause of concern.

The study was conducted with 24 patients who have shown signs of  Plavix allergies after coronary stent procedures. Twenty-one of twenty-four patients were able to stay with antihistamines and steroids after witnessing Plavix allergies in the past.

From ScienceDaily:

A clinical study of cardiac patients who suffered an allergic reaction to the widely-prescribed drug clopidogrel, also known by the pharmaceutical name Plavix, found that treatment with a combination of steroids and antihistamines can alleviate the allergic reaction symptoms thereby allowing patients to remain on the drug, say doctors from Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. The study followed 24 patients, who developed Plavix allergies after undergoing coronary stent procedures.

Eighty-eight percent (21 of 24) were able to stay on Plavix uninterrupted after being treated with the antihistamines and a short course of steroids. Primary Investigator Michael P. Savage, M.D., director, Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and Kimberly L. Campbell, M.D., cardiology fellow and lead author, presented their findings at the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Session on March 30 2009.

“This is a very important study for many cardiac patients but especially those with stents,” said Savage. “Every patient who receives a stent must take Plavix to help prevent stent thrombosis which is clotting of the stent. This obviously poses major problems if the patient suffers an allergic reaction to the medication. To discontinue taking the drug can lead to a heart attack which may be fatal. Those with a drug eluting stent are required to be on the drug for at least one year. Our patients with drug eluting stents actually averaged 17 months on Plavix versus the minimum of one year. That’s a very long time to not be on a medication that may save your life.”

The above findings clearly suggest that a combination of steroids and antihistamines can help patients continue its usage without any allergy symptoms. Such a treatment is also beneficial for all those patients who have received stent by protecting them against stent clotting.

This study by doctors from the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital is the first systematic study demonstrating Plavix allergy management without discontinuation.

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With the help of the sources it had been found that when steroids were added to standard treatment, it can significantly reduce the inflammation in the blood vessels leading to heart in children with Kawasaki’s disease. Kawasaki’s disease, one of the leading causes of acquired heart disease in children, inflames the blood vessels leading to the heart. The cause of Kawasaki’s is unknown. Symptoms of the disease include fever lasting for more than 5 days, skin rash, red eyes, palms and foot soles and swollen lymph nodes.

According to the report, a research was conducted on the large basis by the scientists and they were amazed with the result that eight solid clinical trials were showing that the steroids were significantly reducing heart damage in children with Kawasaki’s disease. Steroids, when combined with aspirin and IVGB, reduced the odds of developing inflammation of the heart blood vessels by half.

From Bio-Medicine:

When added to standard treatment, steroids significantly reduce the odds of developing heart damage in children with Kawasaki’s disease, according to a study in the October issue of Pediatrics. These findings address a gap in knowledge. Current guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics state that the evidence for steroid treatment is lacking and recommend the standard treatment for Kawasaki’s, which is aspirin and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG).

Aspirin and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) are combined with the advised steroids for the treatment of the Kawasaki’s disease and it can reduce the inflammation in the blood vessels of the patient leading to heart.According to the report, steroids are helpful in reducing the inflammation of the blood vessels leading to heart of the Kawasaki’s patient. With the help of the information it can be concluded that the steroids shows positive effects in the treatment of the Kawasaki’s disease.

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Steroids called brassinosteroids are found to boost growth and development in plants. This type of steroids is essential throughout the plant kingdom but is similar in many respects to animal steroids. Brassinosteroids in plants function differently from those found in animals since they respond to steroids using external receptor molecules within the cell membranes.

From ScienceDaily:

Steroids bulk up plants just as they do human athletes, but the playbook of molecular signals that tell the genes to boost growth and development in plant cells is far more complicated than in human and animal cells.

A new study by plant biologists at the Carnegie Institution used an emerging molecular approach called proteomics to identify key links in the steroid signaling chain. Understanding how these plant hormones activate genes could lead not only to enhanced harvests but also to new insights into how steroids regulate growth in both plant and animal cells.

Plant steroids, called brassinosteroids, are key hormones throughout the plant kingdom. They regulate many aspects of growth and development, and mutants deficient in brassinosteroids are often extremely stunted and infertile.

In the purpose of knowing how these plant steroids activate genes and enhanced plant growth, plant biologists at the Carnegie Institution used a molecular approach called proteomics to identify key links in the steroid signaling chain. The study targeted a class of proteins called kinases, which transmit signals by exchanging phosphate ions. The electrophoresis analyses identified a group of kinases that responded to the presence of brassinosteroids.

The study was conducted by Zhi-Yong Wang and Wenqinag Tang of the Carnegie Institution’s Department of Plant Biology with seven co-authors. The success of the proteomic methods demonstrated in the study by Wang and colleagues helped establish the connections of the steroid signaling pathway in plants and for steroid signaling by cell-surface receptors in general.

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Steroid residues can now be detected using just a drop of urine. The new steroid-testing method developed by the teams of Zheng Ouyang and R. Graham Cooks is a combination of two state-of-the-art techniques called desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) and tandem mass spectrometry. The combination of these testing techniques enables them to identify steroid metabolites in just few seconds.

From Science Daily:

Amid growing concerns about sports “doping,” researchers in Indiana and China report development of a faster and more efficient method for detecting the presence of illegal anabolic steroids in urine.

Their new method, which takes only a few seconds and involves no time-consuming sample preparation, will be described in Analytical Chemistry.

The study notes that use of banned substances by professional athletes to build muscle and gain a competitive advantage is a growing problem in sports such as track and field, baseball, football and cycling. Although effective methods exist for detecting the presence of illegal steroids in urine, current methods are time-consuming and involve cumbersome preparation steps.

Zheng Ouyang, R. Graham Cooks, and colleagues developed a new steroid-testing method that combines two state-of-the-art testing techniques called desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) and tandem mass spectrometry. In laboratory studies, the researchers used it to analyze fresh urine samples for the presence of tiny amounts of seven different anabolic steroids. The new method accurately identified the steroids in only a few seconds using only a single drop of urine, they say.

The report made by the researchers from Indiana and China said that this new steroid-testing method is more efficient and produces accurate results faster. The research team also claims that this steroid-testing method does not require elaborate and time-consuming sample preparation.

The effort to develop this new testing method was brought about by the on-going misuse of anabolic steroids by bodybuilders and athletes.

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