Dos and don’ts of using oral steroids

Follow these tips if you are under steroid medication.

Corticosteroids, also known as steroids, are life-saving drugs prescribed by medical practitioners for the effective management of potentially life-threatening illnesses like asthma, autoimmunity and cancer. Although it is very effective, steroids come with a host of undesirable side effects such as osteoporosis, hyperglycaemia, Cushing s syndrome, depression and immunosuppression which can alter the quality of the patient s life. General physician Dr Saifee N Dohadwala lists down six important lifestyle tips to mitigate the side effects of steroid treatment.

Lower your salt intake: Corticosteroid usage causes sodium retention in the body, which in turn causes fluid retention and weight gain. Avoiding salt in your diet is one way to address this problem effectively. Apart from salt, stay away from processed food, soy sauces and other store-bought condiments which may be high in sodium. Find out how you can beat salt cravings.

Take care of your bones: Loss of bone density is one of the side effects of oral corticosteroid usage. Bone fragility makes one more susceptible to fractures, so be careful while performing strenuous tasks. Up your calcium intake and bask in the sun for your daily dose of vitamin D. Although it goes without saying, abstaining from alcohol and smoking helps too.

Watch what you eat: People who take oral corticosteroids report being all the time. Some many even wake up in the middle of the night for a quick snack. In addition to metabolic issues and fat distribution caused by steroid usage, constant hunger also contributes to weight gain. Although you may crave for pizzas, fries and burgers, watch your carbohydrate intake and fill up on a lot of salads and proteins every time you feel hungry.

Watch out for infections: Corticosteroids are anti-inflammatory medicines which hamper immune functions. If you are on these medications, your body is immune-compromised or ill-equipped to deal with some of the infections that may come your way. Following proper hygiene, keeping your nose and mouth covered, and avoiding close contact with infected people may help you stave off infection till the time you are on steroids.

Care before surgery: If a patient on oral corticosteroids has to undergo an emergency surgery, the doctors or the surgeons should be notified about it beforehand. If the steroid dose is high, it has to be tapered and brought down before the surgery. However, the decision to decrease the dose should be best left to the doctor. Don't attempt to bring it down on your own.

Monitor your sugar levels: One of the commonest side effects of steroids is the increase of glucose levels in the blood. If you have existing diabetes problems, your physician should be notified. Monitoring your blood sugar levels during the treatment is also necessary. Staying away from carb-laden food and sugary beverages will also help.

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