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Steroid injections are synthetic drugs similar to cortisol, a hormone made in the body's adrenal glands. The steroids in these injections are called corticosteroids, which help respond to stress in your body from injury or illness. Steroid injections help increase your natural hormones' anti-inflammatory and immune-suppressing power.
Steroids can help reduce the inflammation caused by auto-immune disorders and certain joint and muscle conditions. Though steroids are available in numerous ways, an injection is considered the best course of treatment. Most steroid injections start working immediately, though some may take a few days to show their results.
Steroid injections can be used to treat several types of diseases and injuries. It can be used to treat quite many immune-related disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, inflammatory bowel diseases, multiple sclerosis, and allergies.
These injections can also be used to treat joint and muscle conditions such as osteoarthritis, gout, bursitis, tendinitis, joint pain, plantar fasciitis, and sciatica.
Steroid injections work better in easing the inflammation of the joints. They help in reducing the need for oral steroids, which could have strong side effects. Local steroid injections are less likely to cause side effects than the other forms of steroid medications.
The doctor may prescribe steroid injections and pain medications, and anti-inflammatory drugs to treat your joints' problems. For instance, if you have tendinitis, a local steroid might be prescribed. And if you have rheumatoid arthritis, steroid injections will constitute only part of the treatment.
Steroid drugs are classified based on how easily they dissolve or how long they stay in the body. It can be given systematically throughout the entire body or locally to the affected area. Systematic steroids are provided through a vein (intravenously), into the muscle (intramuscular), or by mouth (orally). Local steroids come as eye drops, eardrops, skin creams, or injections to the joints.
The impact of the steroid shots usually lasts up to one to two months. Still, they can last longer, primarily when used with other treatments like physical therapy. Steroid injections for certain conditions like acute pain may last longer. However, it's best to limit steroid injections to three to four times a year.
The steroid injections should be taken on the recommendations of a doctor. Before taking the injection, you may need to stop certain medications if advised by the doctor. The procedure must be carried out at a hospital or clinic. An ultrasound may be taken to determine where precisely the injection has to be given. Once the spot is decided, you will be injected with a steroid and numbing medication mix. The shot may be uncomfortable, but the numbing medication will take effect quickly.
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