Fw: Prednisone vs Hydrocortisone

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Gracia, in this info Prednisone and Hydrocortisone are similar to natural

hormones produced by the adrenal glands.

Some stuff to know about Pred:

Corticosteroids act on the immune system by blocking the production of

substances that trigger allergic and inflammatory actions, such as

prostaglandins. However, they also impede the function of white blood cells

which destroy foreign bodies and help keep the immune system functioning

properly. The interference with white blood cell function yields a side effect

of increased susceptibility to infection.

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Exogenous adrenal insufficiency

Overview Symptoms Treatment Prevention

Definition:

Exogenous adrenal insufficiency is a condition of low levels of

hormones released by the adrenal glands, caused by factors other than problems

with the glands themselves. See 's disease for information on adrenal

deficiency caused by problems within these glands.

Alternative Names:

Drug-induced adrenal insufficiency

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Glucocorticoids such as prednisone, hydrocortisone, and

dexamethasone are similar to natural hormones produced by the adrenal glands.

They are used to treat a variety of conditions including many inflammatory

diseases such as asthma and some forms of arthritis.

When people are treated with glucocorticoids, the production of

adrenal hormones may decrease because of effects on the pituitary, the master

gland that controls the adrenals.

If glucocorticoids are stopped or decreased too quickly, the adrenal

glands cannot begin making their own hormones again fast enough to meet the

body's needs, and symptoms of adrenal insufficiency result. This condition

usually occurs when these drugs are used systemically (via pills or intravenous

injections), rather than in their topical (on the skin) or inhaled forms. Higher

doses and longer treatment increase the risk.

Abrupt cessation of treatment with glucocorticoids is the most

common cause of adrenal insufficiency.

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Cushings syndrome - exogenous

Overview Symptoms Treatment Prevention

Definition:

Exogenous Cushing's syndrome is a form of Cushing's

syndrome caused by administration of glucocorticoid (also called corticosteroid)

hormones, such as prednisone.

Alternative Names:

Cushing's syndrome - corticosteroid induced;

Corticosteroid-induced Cushing's syndrome; Iatrogenic Cushing's syndrome

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Cushing's syndrome is named after the surgeon Harvey

Cushing. It is a group of clinical signs and symptoms caused by a chronic excess

of glucocorticoids, which are hormones produced by the adrenal glands.

Glucocorticoids affect many body functions and are essential for survival, but

when the level of these hormones is too high, it can cause serious problems. The

most important glucocorticoid is the " stress hormone " cortisol.

The pituitary gland, a small gland at the base of the

brain, regulates cortisol production by secreting a hormone called

adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH).

Exogenous (i.e., caused by something outside the body)

Cushing's syndrome is caused by administration of synthetic glucocorticoids,

such as prednisone or dexamethasone, for therapeutic purposes (for example, to

treat asthma).

Endogenous (i.e., caused by something within the body)

Cushing's syndrome may be caused by ACTH-producing tumors of the pituitary gland

(a condition called Cushing's disease), malignant tumors of other organs that

produce ACTH, and cortisol-producing tumors of one or both of the adrenal

glands.

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