Daughter having breathing problems. we thought she had pneumonia, Dr. at emergency said it was a form of Bronchitis. He gave her antibiotics and steroids. Why steroids? Sounds scary to me.
2006-09-27 15:49:12 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Respiratory Diseases
Steriods are a type of anti-inflammatory drug, often for acute bronchitis they will give something called a medrol dose back which is a low dose of a steiod of as medrolprednisolone. While steriod use may sound scary, 5 days of being on steriods will cause your daughter no harm, they should take down the inflammation in the bronchi of the lungs, allowing her to breathe easier. If she has had no improvement over 5 days, or is getting worse I would suggest she return back to the emergency room or see her regular doctor.
Anti-inflammatory corticosteroid medications are sometimes used to alleviate chronic bronchitis symptoms. Clinical trials have proven that inhaled steroids are useful in some patients for the treatment of COPD, especially in high doses.
Long-term use of high-dose corticosteroid medications can produce a number of severe side-effects, such as osteoporosis and a weakened immune system.
Clinical trials are investigating the effectiveness of other anti-inflammatory medications for bronchitis treatment. A group of medications known as phosphodiesterase inhibitors is currently being evaluated for bronchitis treatment, and may one day offer an alternative treatment to steroids.
Kimberly, RRT (Registered Respiratory Therapist)
2006-09-28 00:23:33 · answer #1 · answered by Kimberly 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
There are a variety of steroids - not just the ones that you see on TV that athletes take to build up their muscles. Corticosteroids like prednisone are often given to patients to help with respiratory problems. They are also used to suppress the immune system for patients with autoimmune diseases like Rheumatoid Arthritis and transplants. They are very helpful but do have quite a few side effects. It is important to follow the directions carefully, because the dosage is very specific and patients should be careful when they stop taking the medication and wean off slowly rather than suddenly or the symptoms may return.
Everytime I get exposed to poison ivy I end up needing a prednisone pack.
2006-09-27 16:01:04 · answer #2 · answered by petlover 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Doctor gave her the steroids to reduce the inflammtion....it will help to open her bronchial and help her to breathe better.....5 days worth of steroids isn't too bad...If she is having trouble breathing she should take them they will give her relief....I get bronchitis once a year and nine times out of ten they give them to me, too. However, they cause me to become very irritable and my face and hands bloat from them......I try not to take them....unless I am having a hard time breathing. If she starts the steroid she cannot just stop it......she should use them as they directed so her body can be weaned off of them. I hope she feels better.....I know how miserable she must be feeling.
2006-09-28 02:44:39 · answer #3 · answered by jenznrn09 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not scary, actually very effective therapy. The steroids help reduce any swelling/inflammation in the lungs making it easier to breathe. Just about every patient who comes in with breathing problems gets steroids. Hope she feels better soon .
2006-09-28 04:03:51 · answer #4 · answered by CJBig 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had pneumonia 5 months and they gave me a big shot and steroids and 7 pills the same day ,then they tapered down ,its very good for you when you are having breathing trouble ,trust me I have had it alot ,but now for 1 year after that if she has had steriods and needs surgery she must let them know in this year I have been on steriods just went thru that is why I know .hope she feels better it will not harm her it will help .
2006-09-27 15:55:55 · answer #5 · answered by Holly 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
check out www.webmd.com... look up bronchitis and it will lead you to treatments etc. Steroids are often used to jump start the immune system... a friend of mine is on steroids (a 36 year old female) due to asthma.
Hope it helps... the steroids that is.
2006-09-27 16:04:49 · answer #6 · answered by B L 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Steroids help to boost your immune response to most of the medication for Bronchitis.
The best thing to do is to be sure she takes all the medicine. Otherwise it is possible she could not totally get rid of the Bronchitis.
2006-09-27 15:53:31 · answer #7 · answered by krys7777 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Inflammation is why, but steroids can be so dangerous. My brother in law was on prednisone for 10 yrs, which is a steroid, and his skin is so thin now, and he has holes in his intestines. He looks awful. Also thats what made Jerry Lewis so fat. She needs to be careful with it, I wouldnt take anymore than what they gave her.
2006-09-27 15:53:28 · answer #8 · answered by ~~ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Steroids reduce inflammation in the lining of the respiratory tract.. thus making it easier to breath. Be sure to tell her to take it with food- it is very hard on the stomach
2006-09-27 15:52:17 · answer #9 · answered by Jay J 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
In severe cases of chronic bronchitis, inhaled or oral steroids to reduce inflammation and/or supplemental oxygen may be necessary.
2006-09-27 15:56:06 · answer #10 · answered by elcycer 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋