Silent Danger of Steroids that You Should Know

A few weeks ago, the author had the opportunity to take a friend to see a doctor because she had small red bumps resembling pimples that spread widely on her chest to the base of her neck, causing unbearable itching all the time, which was very annoying.

 

Silent Danger of Steroids that You Should Know

 

A few weeks ago, the writer had the opportunity to take a friend to see a doctor because she had small red bumps resembling pimples that spread widely on her chest to the base of her neck, causing unbearable itching all the time, which was very annoying. Finally, the doctor diagnosed that the symptoms were caused by taking medication containing an excessive amount of "steroids". Because this friend often had allergic rashes, she usually received a set of medications when she visited a clinic near her house. When she took them, the itching or bumps disappeared quickly. Although steroids have benefits in treating various diseases, they must be used with caution. Otherwise, they may become a silent danger lurking in the body instead. Let's take a brief look at what steroids can do to our bodies.

 

What is steroid?

Steroid is a cortisol, which is a hormone that the body produces naturally from the adrenal glands. It is beneficial for controlling and storing energy from carbohydrates and proteins that we consume, helping to regulate the body's condition when experiencing stress, reducing inflammation in the body, and affecting the division of muscles, bones, and blood vessels. Therefore, the body cannot be without steroids.

 

Side effects of steroids:

 

As mentioned earlier, steroid is quite beneficial. Therefore, drugs or synthetic substances have been developed for long-term use, which may cause side effects as follows:

 

• Gastrointestinal disorders that can cause bleeding in the digestive tract
• Anemia
• Moon face
• Accumulation of fat in the back and neck (buffalo hump)
• Central obesity
• Abnormal breast development in women (hirsutism)
• Skin cracking along the body (red striae)

 

In addition to all the symptoms mentioned earlier, there are also other side effects such as increased susceptibility to infection, high blood sugar levels, and even osteoporosis. In the case of the writer's friend, they also have acne caused by high levels of steroid in the body, which makes the skin thin, the pores wide, and the oil easily clogged, leading to inflammation. Finally, the doctor instructed them not to take or use any medication that contains steroid because it accumulates toxins in the liver, making it unable to produce antibodies, making the body weak and susceptible to infection, especially for those who have allergies. It can cause itching and skin rashes more easily, while also suppressing the immune system, causing various illnesses to appear without any symptoms. In the end, the disease can spread throughout the body and become severe.

 

In summary, although steroid has its benefits, it can be harmful if used improperly. Therefore, using medication containing steroid under close medical supervision is the safest way. Otherwise, the body may be harmed without realizing it.

 

Did you Know?

Common sources where steroid mixing is often found include bolus pills, traditional medicines, and even drug sets obtained from drug stores, which often come in various colors. Therefore, consumers should avoid taking unregistered drugs and should be under the care of a physician.

 

Source: Healthy Tips Magazine