I am a glucocorticoid with a scientific name: adrenocorticotropic hormone, and I am often affectionately called “hormone”. I have many brothers and sisters in my family: dexamethasone, prednisone, hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, and so on. Glucocorticosteroids: “The Magic” Many people are afraid when they hear the word “hormone”, but in fact, I am a useful drug that can suppress the immune response, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-shock… … Moreover, I have many kinds of dosage forms, which can be used as topical ointment, oral medicine, infusion, nebulized inhalation medicine and so on. Some diseases simply cannot do without me, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, nephrotic syndrome, bronchial asthma, immune thrombocytopenia, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, etc. I am the mainstay drug for treatment. There are also diseases, such as shock, sepsis, meningitis, cerebral edema, and severe allergies, that require me to play a key role. Because of my great power, I am currently used in many clinical applications, so I have a nice name “American Elixir”. Although I am very useful, people are afraid to mention glucocorticoids because I have many toxic side effects. In fact, there are two sides to everything, and drugs are no exception, which is why doctors say that I am a “double-edged sword”. I am relatively safe in topical application and short-term small doses, but in the long-term application of large quantities, I do have harmful effects, which can cause osteoporosis, ischemic necrosis of the femoral head, hyperglycemia, hypertension, make people easy to infect or spread the infection, wounds do not heal easily, and can also induce or aggravate peptic ulcers. What makes many people feel uneasy is that I will cause obesity. There are two main reasons for this: (1) people’s appetite is excellent after the application of glucocorticoids; (2) glucocorticoids are involved in the metabolism of water and sodium and fat in the body, which will eventually cause obesity. This kind of obesity is medically called “centripetal obesity”, which is mainly manifested by large face (“full moon face”), wide back (“buffalo back”) and abdominal obesity. I will also make people’s face acne or pimples, but also cause people to appear excitement, excitement, insomnia, and in serious cases can even induce psychosis and epilepsy. Therefore, many people consider me to be “disfiguring”, “body-destroying” and “temper-destroying”. Contraindications of glucocorticoids After understanding the above toxic side effects, we know that I should never be used in these cases: 1. active gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer; 2. severe psychiatric history; 3. severe hypertension; 4. severe osteoporosis; 5. viral, bacterial and mycotic infections that cannot be controlled by antibacterial drugs. How to prevent side effects Many drugs to cure diseases will have more or less toxic side effects, as long as active preventive measures, you do not have to be so afraid of me. For long-term application, you need to: 1. take vitamin D and calcium supplements to prevent osteoporosis; 2. apply gastric mucosal protectors and gastric acid inhibitors to protect the gastric mucosa; 3. monitor blood sugar and blood pressure regularly for early detection of hyperglycemia and hypertension; 4. pay attention to low salt, low sugar and high protein in the usual diet. Before applying glucocorticosteroids, make sure to clean up the infected lesions in the body first. If the infected lesions are found during the application process, active anti-infection treatment should be carried out.