![\"Graphic](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/long-term-side-effects-of-oral-corticosteroids.png\")
<\/p>\n[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Asthma T-Hero Section” module_class=”hero tert” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_image=”https:\/\/aafa.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/AAFA-Website_Tertiary_Asthma.jpg” background_position=”top_right” custom_padding=”1%||1%||true|false” global_module=”2247″ saved_tabs=”all” collapsed=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_enable_image=”off” background_size=”initial” background_position=”bottom_left” background_horizontal_offset=”0%” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”2%||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Nav Parent Title” module_class=”tert-parent” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font=”|600|||||||” header_2_text_align=”left” header_2_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_2_font_size=”32px” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code admin_label=”Breadcrumbs” module_class=”bcrumb” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_orientation=”left” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” custom_css_main_element=”font-size:16px;||color: #fff;” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_code][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Main Content” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”2%||2%||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_post_title meta=”off” featured_image=”off” admin_label=”Page Title” module_class=”tert-content” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”|600|||||||” title_text_align=”left” title_text_color=”#008c99″ title_font_size=”39px” background_enable_image=”off” background_size=”contain” background_position=”center_left” module_alignment=”left” custom_margin=”||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_post_title][et_pb_text admin_label=” Intro Content” module_class=”secondary-intro” _builder_version=”4.17.6″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#505050″ text_font_size=”24px” text_line_height=”1.5em” header_2_font=”|600|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#008c99″ header_2_font_size=”39px” custom_margin=”||3%||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]Oral corticosteroids for asthma are taken in pill or liquid form. This medicine may be prescribed for the treatment of asthma attacks that don\u2019t respond to other asthma medicines. Corticosteroids are not the same as anabolic steroids taken by some athletes and banned in many athletic events.[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Regular Content” _builder_version=”4.17.6″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#505050″ global_colors_info=”{}”]Oral corticosteroids (OCS) are a common treatment for acute asthma flare-ups to reduce inflammation and swelling in the airways. OCS has been shown to reduce emergency room visits and hospitalizations for asthma. Some people with severe asthma use OCS as a long-term medicine, but OCS can have significant side effects and risks.[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_accordion open_toggle_text_color=”#FFFFFF” open_toggle_background_color=”#f0f0f0″ closed_toggle_text_color=”#FFFFFF” closed_toggle_background_color=”#f0f0f0″ toggle_icon=”L||divi||400″ icon_color=”#FFFFFF” use_icon_font_size=”on” icon_font_size=”20px” admin_label=”Accordions” module_class=”accord” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” toggle_text_color=”#FFFFFF” toggle_font=”|600|||||||” toggle_font_size=”22px” closed_toggle_font=”|600|||||||” closed_toggle_font_size=”22px” body_text_color=”#505050″ body_font_size=”16px” body_line_height=”1.4em” body_link_font=”||||on|||#008C99|” text_orientation=”left” custom_margin=”||2%||false|false” border_width_all=”0px” saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Closed” open=”on” _builder_version=”4.17.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Short-term Risks of OCS” _builder_version=”4.17.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]Elevated eye pressure (glaucoma)
\nFluid retention
\nHigh blood pressure
\nWeight gain
\nMoodiness
\nProblems with memory and behavior[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Long-term Risks of OCS” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n
Cataracts
Infections
Osteoporosis (brittle bones)
High blood sugar levels in patients with diabetes
Thin skin
Bruising
Slower healing process for wounds<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_accordion_item][\/et_pb_accordion][et_pb_text admin_label=”Page Content” module_class=”secondary-intro” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#505050″ text_line_height=”1.5em” header_2_font=”|600|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#008c99″ header_2_font_size=”39px” custom_margin=”||3%||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
A 2018 Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) survey of 519 patients with asthma found that nearly 85 percent used at least one course of OCS in the previous 12 months and 64 percent had done so two or more times. Patients who take two or more courses of OCS in a 12-month span may have severe or poorly controlled asthma and should speak with a qualified asthma specialist.<\/p>\n
If your asthma is well-controlled, you have a better chance of recovering faster or avoiding complications from an illness. Keep the Rules of Two\u00ae in mind:<\/p>\n
If any of these apply to you, talk with your health care provider.<\/p>\n
Also, if you are taking oral corticosteroids (such as prednisone) two or more times per year, ask your health care provider about other options.<\/p>\n
![\"Graphic](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/asthma-control-oral-corticosteroids.png\")
<\/p>\n
While OCS can be an important tool in managing asthma in certain cases, their use should always be carefully monitored by an asthma specialist or a primary care provider with expertise in asthma.<\/p>\n
Your health care provider may run more tests or have you try other medicines. Biologics are an innovative type of treatment used to treat severe, uncontrolled asthma that may reduce the number of asthma attacks you have and reduce the need for OCS. Biologic treatments are given as shots or infusions every few weeks. The treatment targets and blocks a cell or protein in your body that leads to airway inflammation.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Tan Callout Box” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#505050″ link_font=”||||on|||#008c99|” link_text_color=”#008c99″ link_line_height=”1.7em” ul_line_height=”1.7em” header_2_font=”|600|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#008c99″ header_2_font_size=”39px” header_3_font=”|600|||||||” header_3_text_align=”left” header_3_text_color=”#008c99″ header_3_font_size=”28px” background_color=”#F5EDDF” custom_padding=”4%|4%|4%|4%|true|true” box_shadow_style=”preset2″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
AAFA Joins Patient Advocates, Medical Professionals and Industry Stakeholders to Curb Oral Corticosteroid Overexposure in Asthma Treatment<\/strong><\/p>\n With chronic use of OCS comes the potential for serious health risks. AAFA partners with patient advocacy groups, medical professional societies and industry partners to raise awareness of oral corticosteroid (OCS) overexposure in moderate-to-severe asthma treatment. Read the full statement<\/a>.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Medical Review” _builder_version=”4.19.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#505050″ text_font_size=”16px” link_text_color=”#008C99″ link_font_size=”16px” header_5_font=”|600|||||||” header_5_text_align=”left” header_5_text_color=”#008c99″ custom_margin=”||3%||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Medical Review<\/a> September 2018.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code admin_label=”Print” module_id=”print” module_class=”clearfix” _builder_version=”4.17.6″ _module_preset=”default” global_module=”5156″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]