The use of steroids as a treatment method has become increasingly common and is considered to be an effective medication. However, there are many side effects associated with steroids. Short-term use can cause increased appetite and weight gain, a round and full moon-shaped face, and high blood pressure. Long-term use can lead to adrenal suppression, growth retardation, osteoporosis, and cataracts. Therefore, many patients feel uneasy about using steroids for treatment.
Steroids are a type of adrenal cortex hormone. According to Chinese medicine doctor Sheng-Pu Lee, because steroids are effective for many diseases, especially for allergies and inflammation, many Western medicine doctors tend to use them as a default treatment for various diseases, such as asthma, allergies, pain, and acute inflammation. Steroids are also used as the first choice for emergency treatment of some diseases.
While steroids have powerful effects, their side effects are also significant. Dr. Sheng-Pu Lee points out that many people who see a doctor prescribe steroids feel uneasy or even question whether they really need to use steroids. Many parents are also reluctant to use steroids to control their children’s asthma. Increasingly, patients express that if given a choice, they would prefer not to use steroids, which are considered as a powerful but potentially harmful medication.
Many patients seek Chinese medicine treatment to avoid dependence on steroids. According to Dr. Sheng-Pu Lee, he often meets patients who are taking heavy doses of steroids but hope that Chinese medicine prescriptions can directly replace them. However, this is actually a wrong idea.
To get rid of steroids, patients first need to understand their own condition and how much they are taking. Chinese medicine doctors will see if there are any Chinese medicines that can replace the effects of steroids and help restore function. Because steroids are a hormone secreted by the human adrenal gland, restoring adrenal function can help get rid of them. If patients have already started using steroids, it is not enough to rely on taking Chinese medicine once or twice, but to use Chinese medicine to improve their physical constitution first. This combination therapy can reduce the side effects of steroids and gradually get rid of them.
Although hormone therapy is a symbol of the progress of modern medicine, Dr. Sheng-Pu Lee reminds us that these drugs, which are very effective in treatment, can easily interfere with a person’s physical condition, leading to serious disease. Therefore, long-term use is not recommended. Some diseases do not necessarily require the use of steroids. For example, asthma can be treated without steroids, and even in emergency situations, it is best to switch to other medications within a short period of time rather than wait until the moon face appears to get rid of steroids.
In addition, some chronic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, skin allergies, and atopic dermatitis are often treated with steroids. It is recommended that patients use steroids and seek treatment from traditional Chinese medicine at the same time, which can speed up the process of getting rid of steroids in the future.
Getting rid of steroids is not about stopping the medication recklessly. Dr. Sheng-Pu Lee also reminds us that we should cooperate with traditional Chinese medicine from the early stages of treatment. If the immune system weakens due to long-term fatigue, then lifestyle changes are needed to boost the body’s immunity. Otherwise, even if the cause of the disease is known to be due to lifestyle factors, without changing these factors, it is difficult to improve the body’s condition and get rid of steroids.
A healthy liver gives you the energy you need to live life to the fullest!
Originally from: Health.chinatimes.com
Health Chinatimes/ Reporter Yi-Ning Zhang reports 2009.07.29
http://health.chinatimes.com/blog/herbs/index_at2355.html
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