| Question: | | | | brain (the headquarters of hormonal activity) release |
| I suffer from an autoimmune disease called temporal | | | | a stimulator hormone called ACTH, which turns on |
| arteritis, which is an inflammatory condition affecting | | | | the adrenal glands to synthesise and produce cortisol. |
| the blood vessels that supply the head, eyes and | | | | As soon as the level of cortisol is optimum for a |
| optic nerves. I have been prescribed steroids, and | | | | particular stress situation, the pituitary-hypothalamus |
| want to know if it is possible to offset the side | | | | complex receives a 'feedback' response, prompting it |
| effects. I take a multivitamin and coenzyme Ql0 daily, | | | | to switch off production of ACTH; the adrenal |
| and attend a yoga class most weeks. | | | | activity then calms down. |
| Answer: | | | | The problem with taking steroid medication is that it |
| When steroids were first introduced, they were | | | | can switch off the body's natural steroids. Long-term |
| considered 'wonder drugs' and used to treat all kinds | | | | high doses can cause permanent damage, as the |
| of conditions, such as fever, poor immune system, | | | | adrenal tissue wastes away and stops functioning |
| joint pain, backache, meningitis, low blood pressure | | | | normally. Users may then become heavily dependent |
| and anaemia. Then side effects began to be noticed. | | | | on external sources of steroids for the rest of their |
| Since the side effects are directly related to the | | | | lives. |
| properties of steroids, let me explain a little bit about | | | | Other side effects of steroid drugs include the 'moon |
| them first. | | | | face' of the long-term user, caused by a redistribution |
| Steroids are one of the groups of hormones, the | | | | of fat under the skin. Blood-sugar levels can rise with |
| chemical messengers that control almost every | | | | steroid use, leading to diabetes. It's also linked to |
| function in your body. The steroid group is virtually all | | | | osteoporosis (bone loss), water retention and hot |
| derived from cholesterol, either in your diet or | | | | sweats. Since steroids are the 'go-go' hormones, they |
| synthesised in your body. Two well-known types of | | | | may cause agitation and disturbed sleep as your head |
| steroid are androgens (male hormones), including | | | | buzzes continually. Formerly peaceful people can |
| testosterone (mainly synthesised in the testes), and | | | | become aggressive. |
| female oestrogens (mainly synthesised in the | | | | Combating the side effects of steroid use is tough, |
| ovaries). | | | | as you are battling with a highly potent drug with |
| The adrenal glands, which are found just above each | | | | multifaceted reactions. Sometimes you need them, |
| kidney, produce androgens (some of which may be | | | | especially in life-threatening situations such as shock |
| converted to testosterone and oestrogen) and | | | | (massive blood loss, for instance, leading to a drop in |
| mineralocorticoids, which regulate levels of minerals | | | | blood pressure), severe burns, asthma, inflammation |
| and water in the body. The most important adrenal | | | | of brain tissue (encephalitis, stroke), or when you are |
| steroid is cortisol, popularly known as the stress | | | | suffering from rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. |
| hormone, because it triggers the principal stress | | | | A sympathetic and knowledgeable doctor will start |
| reaction (in other words, the fight-or-flight response). | | | | with a higher dose, then wean you on to a lower |
| The problem occurs when normal physiological stress | | | | one so that your own steroid production is minimally |
| becomes pathological (harmful). When, for instance, | | | | affected. It's important to review the situation |
| you have to give a presentation to colleagues at | | | | regularly and discuss alternatives to manage your |
| work or have a confrontation with a neighbour, your | | | | condition and/or any disturbing symptoms. In your |
| brain and body might go through a stress reaction. | | | | case, I would suggest acupuncture. Your supplements |
| But when the experience is over, everything returns | | | | sound sensible and yoga is always beneficial. |
| to normal. In the case of pathological stress, the | | | | Generally, patients on steroids should be looking to |
| symptoms, such as racing heavy rapid breathing, | | | | diet, massage and homoeopathy, as well as |
| tensed muscles, higher temperature and increased | | | | acupuncture. My Lifestyle DVD (Integrated Health) |
| glucose consumption, continue even when the | | | | offers more information, including massage |
| stressful event is over. So your body and mind | | | | techniques, and my first book, The Integrated Health |
| become conditioned to living in a perpetual state of | | | | Bible, lists options for the safe treatment of various |
| stress reaction. | | | | common ailments. Thus you can help your body to |
| Normally, the hypothalamus and pituitary gland in the | | | | heal itself. |