Steroid Injection Information
Corticosteroids are used in pain management to reduce pain, redness and swelling in your joints or tendons. Corticosteroids are related to the hormone cortisone, which occurs naturally in your body. Anabolic steroids are similar to testosterone, which is a male sex hormone. These are used to increase weight and treat other medical conditions.
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Administration
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Steroids are injected into or around your joints to provide medication precisely where it is needed. They work by reducing inflammation, which relieves your pain. A local or topical anesthetic is sometimes used to minimize the pain of the injection. Typically, you will have relief within 24 to 48 hours following your injection. If the first injection does not help, you may benefit from a second injection. Doctors usually limit the number of injections to three or four in one year for each joint.
Conditions
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Cortisone injections are used to treat conditions such as tendonitis, bursitis, tendon nodules, psoriatic and rheumatoid arthritis, gout, lupus, asthma, inflamed intervetebral disc and retinal vein occlusion. Anabolic steroids are used increase weight following an injury, severe illness, persistent infection, some types of anemia, some types of breast cancer and a hereditary condition called angiodema. Angiodema causes swelling in your arms, legs, throat, windpipe, face, bowels or reproductive organs.
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Cortisone Side Effects
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Side effects of cortisone can include increased risk of bacterial infections, weakened or ruptured tendons, a lighter skin color and shrinkage at the site of the injection, weakened immune system and increased blood sugar levels. Long-term effects can include weight gain, easy bruising, thinning skin, increased blood pressure, puffy face, thinning bones and the formation of cataracts.
Anabolic Side Effects
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Side effects of anabolic steroids for females may include acne, hoarseness, abnormal hair growth or loss and irregular periods. For males it may include acne, abnormal hair growth, more frequent erections and enlarged penis. Other side effects that may occur include yellow eyes or skin, nausea, vomiting, decreased blood sugar levels, bone pain, swelling of your lower legs or feet and weight gain. Serious conditions that can develop with long-term use in high doses include liver cancer, liver tumors or peliosis hepatitis, a liver disease.
Considerations
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Consult your doctor beore using steroid injections if you have had an allergic reaction to them, or if you are pregnant or breast-feeling. Caution is advised in using them for children, the elderly and diabetics due the effects of steroids on blood sugar levels. Inform your doctor if you have breast cancer, enlarged prostate, heart disease, liver disease or kidney disease.
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References
Resources
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