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.

Tags:  corticosteroids, DMARD, JRA, Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, NSAID, Steroids

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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.

Tags:  acute asthma, asthma, corticosteroids, inhalers, systemic corticosteroids

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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.

Tags:  corticosteroids, osteoporosis, Steroids

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