Cortisone...?

Question

Why is it bad to use cortisone for a long time?

Answer 1

Cortisone: An adrenocorticoid hormone, a naturally occurring hormone made by and secreted by the adrenal cortex, the outer part (the cortex) of the adrenal gland.

Cortisone was the first of the "miracle drugs" for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. This historic feat was achieved by Edward C Kendall and Philip S. Hench at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Their discovery stemmed from the astute clinical observation that a woman with severe rheumatoid arthritis felt much better during pregnancy. They found what was responsible. It was a hormone from the outer part (the cortex) of the adrenal glands. They called it "cortisone." On Sept. 21, 1948, Hench gave a synthesized version of cortisone developed by Kendall to a patient with arthritis. Kendall and Hench shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1950 with Tadeus Reichstein from Switzerland "for their discoveries relating to the hormones of the adrenal cortex, their structure, and biological effects."

Synthetic cortisone acts after it is converted by the body (metabolized) to cortisol to exert its powerful antiinflammatory (and other) effects. Its many uses include the treatment of adrenocortical deficiency and conditions associated with inflammation.

Common Misspellings: cortesone, cortizone


There is no rule as to how many cortisone injections can be given. Often physicians do not want to give more than three, but there is not really a specific limit to the number of shots. However, there are some practical limitations. If a cortisone injection wears off quickly or does not help the problem, then repeating it may not be worthwhile. Also, animal studies have shown effects of weakening of tendons and softening of cartilage with cortisone injections. Repeated cortisone injections multiply these effects and increase the risk of potential problems. This is the reason many physicians limit the number of injections they offer to a patient.

Answer 2

The following is a well-written answer in laymen's terms! Website is listed below.


"Cortisone is a type of steroid produced naturally by your adrenal gland and released when your body is stressed. Natural cortisone is released into the blood stream and is relatively short acting. Injectible cortisone is synthetically produced . . . but is a close derivative of the body’s own product. The most significant difference is that synthetic cortisone is not injected into the blood stream but into a particular area of inflammation. Also, the synthetic cortisone is designed to act more potently and for a longer period. When pain is decreased, it is because the inflammation is diminished. Many conditions where inflammation is an underlying problem are amenable to cortisone shots, including shoulder bursitis, arthritis, tennis elbow and carpel tunnel syndrome.

Cortisone – are there side effects?
Yes. Probably the most common is a “cortisone flare,” a condition where the injected cortisone crystallizes and can cause a period of pain worse than before the shot. This usually lasts a day or two and is best treated by icing the injected area. Beware: prolonged use of cortisone, especially when ingested orally, can have side effects ranging from inconsequential to horrific and must be carefully monitored by a physician specializing in internal medicine. However, by injecting cortisone into a particular area of inflammation, short-term use at very high concentrations can be given while keeping potential side effects to a minimum."

Answer 3

I think Cortisone is a steroid, therefore the use of it for a prolonged time may have unpleasant side effects.

Answer 4

You will get fat. I mean really obease. I've seen skinny guys balloon-up to obseisty in months. Don't do it. Take a Alieve or excersize more.

Answer 5

steroid