Health And Society

Over the generations, aspirin has been a household staple for minor problems. It was not necessary to get a prescription for aspirin. You can take quite high dosages for any length of time without adverse effects. This is not to say aspirin is completely safe. If you take an excessive amount, it becomes poisonous and it becomes dngerous for your life. But some people abuse this drug. The FDA recognizes the more serious risks if you take corticosteroids in too high a dose or for too long. That’s why they are prescription only. The idea is to force you to go to a doctor and get useful instructions on how to avoid the negative side effects. Put it this way. There are real benefits from treatment using these drugs, but there’s a risk of more seriously illness.

Where is the problem? If you are taking the drug, the active ingredients go into your bloodstream and are taken all round the body. You can’t get to decide which part of your body to target. As a result, you can quickly experience unpleasant effects in any places. For example, your moods may swing quite rapidly and your legs may swell with fluid retention. Taking the drug over time can make your immune system less effective,reduce the calcium level in your bones making them more fragile and affect your eyesight. None of these effects are desirable.

Here is a simple rule. If you can get good results without using corticosteroids, don’t take them. But if you have taken the alternates and the results were not encouraging, the next rule is to try the small dose for a short period of time. Now let’s assume you get good results from the corticosteroids and you want to continue enjoying the benefits. Ask your physician whether you can switch to a different delivery system. For example, if you have eczema, a topical cream rubbed into the affected area gets better results. If you are experiencing asthma, using an inhaler delivers the drug to the surface of the lung and reduces exposure to the rest of the body. To counteract the risk of weight gain, you must go on a strict diet and exercise. You need to keep your calorie intake low and through activity increase bone strength.

Prednisone and the other corticosteroids reduce inflammation and pain very effective. But, without proper management, the corticosteroids can cause serious problems. In particular, you should avoid contact with anyone who has an infectious disease and, if you take Prednisone over long periods of time, do not stop suddenly. Get the benefits of Prednisone by taking it properly.

Some medications, including corticosteroids, require special dietary considerations for the medication to work at its maximum level. Certain foods can inhibit effectiveness of drugs for a variety of reasons. Each individual reacts differently when taking corticosteroids so you should consult with your physician who can help with recommendations. There are specific steps consumers can take to address certain dietary issues related to using corticosteroids.

Increased Appetite

People who take corticosteroids can expect an increase in appetite. This along with fluid retention that typically occurs while on the medication can result in unwanted weight gain. Overeating has its own set of risks. You will need to get your appetite under control as soon as possible. If you notice you are suddenly eating more than usual or you are staying hungry, let your doctor know so a suitable eating plan can be established.

Foods to Eat

Consuming additional protein is one of the best ways to fight these side effects. Foods high in calcium and Vitamin D are also beneficial for people who use corticosteroids. Your doctor can test you to see if you need to increase your potassium and phosphorus intake. You can reduce fluid retention with a diet high in potassium and low in sodium. Foods that contain potassium include bananas, oranges, raisins, and baked potatoes. Low-fat dairy products can improve phosphorous as well as calcium levels. Fruits and vegetables should be eaten daily.

Foods to Avoid

Foods high in sodium should be limited or eliminated completely from your diet. You should avoid canned as well as processed foods which have high sodium levels. Try not to add salt to your meals. It is important to monitor your calorie intake. Fatty foods can cause you to gain weight faster. Many medications negatively interact with grapefruit juice so ask your doctor about including grapefruit in your diet.

Additional Supplements

Nutrients may need to be balanced out to prevent certain side effects when taking the medication. For this reason, your doctor may recommend you take vitamin supplements to improve treatment results. Prednisone can affect your calcium level which can be countered with calcium supplements. Vitamin D supplements may be necessary while on the drug.

This article looks at how prednisone interacts with food. Changing diet intake can prevent some side effects while enhancing treatment outcomes. Consumers who monitor the food they eat will see better results.