What side effects of glucocorticoid therapy should I be aware of?

  When applying glucocorticosteroids, one should understand their side effects and try to mitigate these side effects. The effects and side effects of long-term glucocorticoid use in excess of physiological needs on the body: 1. Disorders of fat metabolism: obesity, changes in body fat distribution, Cushing’s appearance; atherosclerosis.  2. Increased protein catabolism and negative nitrogen balance: muscle atrophy and weakness, protein malnutrition, and poor wound healing.  3, glucose metabolism disorders: steroid diabetes.  4, water and electrolyte disorders: water and sodium retention can lead to hypertension, potassium loss in urine, calcium and phosphorus metabolism disorders leading to high urinary calcium, bone thinning.  5, gastrointestinal system: peptic ulcer, perforation, pancreatitis can occur.  6, neuropsychiatric system: euphoria, excitement, insomnia, and even psychiatric symptoms, seizures.  7, immunosuppression: easy to accompany the infection, or the activity of the original hidden TB infection foci.  8, feedback inhibition of the optic thalamus-pituitary-adrenal cortex axis: withdrawal syndrome and adrenal crisis may occur with sudden discontinuation.  9, other: cataract, aseptic necrosis of the femoral head, hypercoagulable state, growth arrest in children during the growth period, delayed puberty, etc.