Steroids are biologically active compounds that are used for the treatment of various health conditions including asthma, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammatory bowel diseases. Besides all, the latest entry in the above-mentioned list is COVID in which steroids are used for the treatment.
It is also important for you to know that taking steroids for a long time could cause some side effects and one of them to be noticed is the effect on bones. Yes, you’ve read that right, steroid consumption for a long period could significantly increase bone loss and that could result in osteoporosis and even fracture. Fixing fracture could require surgery using Orthopedic Bone Plates, Titanium Bone Screws, and other orthopedic implants. In this blog, we will see how steroids affect bone health.
What are Steroids?
Steroids are one of the types of medications that are used for the treatment of certain health conditions. Some examples of steroids include cortisone, corticosteroids, and prednisone. They are known to act as signaling molecules and are important parts of the cell membrane. They can be taken orally, through injection, or using an inhaler.
How do Steroids Affect Bones?
Steroids are known to affect the way the body uses calcium and vitamin D, thus, this could lead to osteoporosis, broken bones, and bone loss. When this class of drugs is consumed in high doses and also for a long time, the rate of bone loss can increase and the body will start losing bones rapidly. Thus, supplements like calcium and multivitamins are also required to be consumed under the doctor’s prescription.
Here, one point to be noticed is that the rate of bone loss in all is not the same, as it varies from person to person. The health condition of the person and hormones affect bone loss.
What is the Rate of Bone Loss While Taking Steroids?
The steroids consumed by mouth are known to cause rapid bone loss in the first months and the rate of loss reduces after around months of chronic steroid use. While on the other hand, when steroids are consumed using the inhaler, bone loss is rarely seen but, if inhaled in high doses, bone loss may occur. Bone loss is not seen when steroids are used for a short duration or applied to the skin. Fractures to the spine and ribs are most commonly associated with the consumption of steroids for a long time.
Can Medication Reduce the Risk of Bone Loss While Taking Steroids?
Yes, there are certain FDA-approved medications to protect bones while taking steroids and that will be prescribed by the doctor. But it is advised not to completely rely on medication as a healthy & nutritious diet is important too. For that, you need to consume calcium and vitamin D-rich food plus, also add different varieties of food items to your plate in order to meet other nutritional requirements of the body like zinc, magnesium, and omega 3 fatty acids.
So, these are the effects of steroids on bone health and the ways to prevent that. If a fracture occurs, it may require surgery and that may involve the use of orthopedic implants. Siora Surgicals Pvt. Ltd. is an experienced manufacturer of international standard quality trauma implants. The company is also a reliable Orthopedic Supplier Malaysia.
