COPD stands for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, a collective term for serious lung issues. It includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema, non-reversible asthma, and other similar diseases. The primary symptoms are wheezing, loss of breath, mucus accumulation in the airway, and severe coughing. No fully-effective cures are not available on the market. However, several medicines help patients to feel some relief. These usually contain steroids and help eliminate the inflammation temporarily. One of the examples of prescribed ones is dianabol kaufen.
Types of steroids
Several types are available such as inhaling and oral.
- Oral steroids
These come as pills or syrups and liquids. They work well for moderate and severe inflammation, called acute exacerbation. These steroids act fast, making them ideal for quick relief. The dose depends on the severity of symptoms, the medicine strength, etc.
- Inhaling steroids
These deliver the steroids straight to the lungs, cutting the absorption process shorter. These are preferable for people who have stable or constant symptoms. One can use a nebulizer, a machine that converts the steroid to aerosol mist. These steroids keep the symptoms at bay in the long term. The doses need to be smaller because these are more concentrated.
What does the treatment look like?
Several research reviews show how steroids act as a treatment option for COPD. These may alleviate lung function, cope with running out of breath, and reduce the relapse rate. However, the duration of the treatment is a concern for many.
Many doctors prescribe a dose course of 8 weeks. However, some recent experiments suggest patients can feel the same effects within four weeks of the same dose of steroids. Irrespective of everything, the duration depends on several factors like the severity of symptoms, the body’s system, and more.
No matter the duration, one would need regular follow-ups with their doctor. Some patients may experience something called COPD exacerbation shortly after the treatment ends.
Side effects of steroids for COPD
The potential downsides of consuming steroids for COPD are as follows.
- Angioedema
It is a condition when the mouth, the airways, and other body parts swell up severely. It may require immediate hospitalization as the patient suffers from difficulty in breathing.
- Bronchospasm
It is the opposite of the intended effect, meaning the patient suffers from breathing comfortably. The airways become narrow, and one finds it hard to inhale and exhale normally.
- Adrenal insufficiency
Steroids may trigger the adrenal glands, leading to excessive secretion of the hormones. It depletes the hormone sources, which causes insufficiency when these are required. This condition leads to weak muscles, weight loss, appetite loss, etc.
- Pneumonia
It is significantly associated with inhaling steroids. Being a significant lung infection, it can be a life-threatening disease for people with weak immunity.
Risks involved
Although high-quality steroids like dianabol kaufen pose little to no risks, others may do so. The risk factors depend mainly on the individuals. For example, some steroids may cause people to have depressing or unhealthy thoughts. Although it is a rare side effect, it is possible if a person has an unresolved mental health problem.
Despite the risks and side effects, steroids are a popular choice to treat conditions like COPD.
