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Corticosteroid |
Alternative Veterinary Medicine Centre |
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Corticosteroid Steroid - Cortisone - Cortisol - Corticosterone Steroidal compounds are the basis of most hormones. Cortisol is such a hormone made and released by the adrenal cortex. The gland is naturally stimulated to produce this hormone by the release of ACTH (adrenocorticotrophic hormone) from the pituitary gland. Among other roles, the hormone is involved with fluid balance, sodium regulation and stress regulation. It also has potent anti-inflammatory properties, metabolic boosting properties and appetite and thirst stimulating properties. Excess of the hormone is produced in Cushing's Syndrome (Cushing's Disease), which is usually characterised by overproduction of ACTH from the pituitary gland, stimulating overproduction of cortisol. Cushing's in dogs : Cushing's in horses Allergy in dogs : Allergy in horses Modern drug medicine uses synthetic versions of this hormone (synthetic corticosteroids), to exert anti-inflammatory effects (esp. in allergic skin conditions in horses, ponies and dogs) or to boost appetite etc. Unfortunately, not only does it have very serious side-effects with long-term use (similar to Cushing's Syndrome) but it also suppresses symptoms very effectively, thus having a fundamentally negative effect on the healing process and making deeper disease more likely. It is immune suppressive. There are dangers if a patient encounters viral or bacterial challenge, while on synthetic corticosteroids. The drug can also obstruct the effect of homeopathic medication. Eventually, in the case of long-term synthetic corticosteroid treatment, the healing capability of the patient is removed and the eventual result is untimely death. Synthetic corticosteroids are arbortifacient. Giving synthetic corticosteroids to horses and ponies can result in severe and intractable laminitis. While it can be very tempting to use this drug and very seductive to repeat it, on account of its powerful symptom-relief, it should be treated as last resort medicine, on account of its inherent and insidious dangers. At the AVMC, we prefer it if patients come to us before resorting to synthetic corticosteroid treatment. This gives maximum chance of early therapeutic responses. However, if patients are already on corticosteroid, we do not demand cessation of this medication (contrary to popular belief). We set out to work through the corticosteroid treatment and, assuming we start to see success from homeopathic or other treatment, we can then discuss steroid reduction programmes with the referring vet. Patients on synthetic corticosteroid treatment programmes should not be taken off treatment abruptly. This can cause a serious and possibly fatal crisis. Homeopathic medicines can be given to help a patient cope with synthetic corticosteroid medication. The 'data sheet' of one such compound can be
found at: This document details well-known side effects, contra-indications and warnings, that are broadly shared by all other similar drugs. See also: Iatrogenic Disease : Side Effects N.B.: Cholesterol is a structurally-related compound, as are oestrogen and testosterone. Copyright ©
AVMC - December 2007 |
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