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Ever found yourself wide awake in the dead of night, unable to find peace? Or feeling exhausted but don't know what to do? Or you feel your hormone balance is not right? What if I say they might be coming from your corticosteroid? Corticosteroids are a class of synthetic drugs used as creams, tablets, inhalers, eye/ear drops and nasal sprays. We basically see them in almost every medical specialty. They are used to lower inflammation in the body. The common conditions would be;
Asthma
Hay Fever
Hives
Eczema
Lupus
Multiple sclerosis
Inflammatory bowel disease
Also keep in mind, you may not see 'corticosteroid' on the label, but they may be displayed as
Prednisone, prednisolone
Cortisone, hydrocortisone
Mometasone (as nasal spray)
Corticosteroid = Synthetic form of cortisol (stress hormone)
You may have a feeling of 'Steroid use = not so good", but here is why. Once we absorb corticosteroid from medications, our body will process them as cortisol hormone. We naturally produce cortisol from our adrenal glands, which sit on top of each kidney. Then they are used to balance;
Mood
Motivation
Metabolism
Immune response
and sometimes 'fear'
The Cortisol Connection:
So what happens in the body if we keep using these synthetic form of steroid hormones? Our body misunderstands that you have enough cortisol (or maybe too much if using high dose) and decide to suppress natural production of cortisol hormone (AKA. Impaired cortisol function). Here are what can possibly happen; Extreme fatigue: Nothing works, just so tired! Sleepless Nights: You might be tossing and turning, desperately seeking rest. Or you may sleep a lot but never feels you had adequate sleep.
Anxiety, irritability, depression: persistent jitters and nervousness or unexplained moodiness could be due to cortisol imbalances.
Stubborn Weight Woes to blood sugar levels: Struggling with stubborn weight, despite your best efforts? Cortisol's love for fat cells can make weight management an uphill battle. There is no surprise your blood sugars might be all over the place. Digestion (this is big one): Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or any IBS type of symptoms may kick in. You may also crave for salty/sweet foods
Yep, they will get your sex hormones too:
Impact doesn’t stop there. Corticosteroids, present in various products beyond your asthma inhaler, can also throw your sex hormones, estrogen, and testosterone, off balance.
Ladies, Unpredictable Cycles: Irregular menstrual cycles and unpredictable moods? Cortisol's interference might be the cause.
Gentlemen, Vitality Dwindling?: Feeling a dip in energy and vitality? Cortisol might be silently affecting your testosterone levels.
Knowledge Empowers
From topical creams for skin conditions to nasal sprays for allergies, corticosteroids are hiding in plain sight, affecting our bodies in unexpected ways. Awareness is our shield! Understanding these connections empowers us to make informed choices about our health. As I always mention, our body is uniquely connected. Any cosmetics we put on, eat, think all affect our cellular health. In other words, we CAN! reverse your health concerns by understanding and untangling any 'congested' area.
Stay healthy x