It seems it is not common knowledge that there are serious side effects of cortisone treatment. Cortisone is frequently prescribed for all manner of conditions, but those taking this dangerous drug should acquaint themselves with the consequences.
A mother recently brought her year old baby to see me. She had recently suffered with a cold. Her doctor had prescribed antibiotics, as you would expect, but also cortisone. It is an understatement to say that I was shocked.
When cortisone first appeared, medical practitioners were cautioned against using it in any circumstances other than life threatening, as the side effects were dire. In the intervening time, the drugs may have ‘evolved’, but they still carry serious side effects.
Now, cortisone treatment is commonly used to medically treat skin conditions, inflammation and pain. The caution appears to have been watered down or discarded. But long term use is dangerous and carries the risk of many of the following problems.
Cushing’s syndrome is a common result from the body’s over production of natural cortisol (cortisone), as well as the use of both oral and topic cortisone treatments.
The common symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome include rapid weight gain, excess sweating, atrophy of the skin, dilation of the blood capillaries, atrophy of mucous membranes, muscle weakness, the growth of fat pads, purple or red stretch marks.
The side effects of cortisone are well known in medical and scientific circles. They include growth problems, sexual development problems, thyroid problems, hypertension, high blood sugar (leading to diabetes), allergic reactions, to name just a few. Psychological disturbances are not uncommon and can include psychosis.
The destruction of tissue, especially organ tissue is also a factor.
To prescribe cortisone to a year old infant, who does not have a serious or life threatening problem, is, in my opinion, highly irresponsible. It appears that this is normal treatment for this condition. While a single treatment is unlikely to do too much harm, it is unlikely that a single treatment is all that occurs with the medical treatment of most children.
What happened to the ethics of doctors, who were asked to swear to ‘first, do no harm’?
Acquaint yourself with the side effects of cortisone, or of any other drug you are prescribed, especially for a growing child, before administering it. There are always safe and effective alternatives to every harmful drug.
Homeopathy offers you just that – safe and effective alternatives.