Steroids are known to be life savers when it comes to treating various health conditions. Where steroids are the chemicals that are naturally produced by your body, these have further been categorized into two types namely anabolics and corticosteroids. This medication works quickly in treating the inflammation present in the body and prevents the immune system from making inflammation-causing substances. While taken in moderation, this medication can help in treating various serious conditions like arthritis, eczema and COPD but an overdose of the same can often have fatal results. Onlymyhealth touched base with Dr Rishabh Kohli, MBBS - General Physician, Wellness Healthcare, to understand the harm overdose of antibiotics can cause. As per Dr Kohli, from high blood pressure to fungal infections and fluid retention but overdose can have various repercussions on the body. Let’s find out below what the expert has to say on antibiotics overdose and ways to combat such situations:
Health Complications Due To Steroid Overdose
Steroids are also known as corticosteroids, which are anti-inflammatory medicines used to treat various health conditions. These medications are different from anabolic steroids that are often used illegally by some people to increase their muscle mass. Dr Kohli says, “Some of the common joint-related conditions caused due to a steroid overdose are arthritis, tennis elbow and frozen shoulder, pain caused due to sciatica. Where these steroids are very effective in treating these health issues they do come with some side effects. Although these side effects depend upon the dose of medication you receive.”
#1. High Blood Pressure
Elevated blood pressure is said to be one of the most common signs of steroid overdose. This happens as the cortisone present in these steroids tend to regulate the sodium balance of the body. As there is a change in the body’s sodium balance and other electrolytes, it leads to the condition of high blood pressure. Where this condition can be referred to as the cortisone steroid induced retention which gives rise to the sodium retention in the kidney. This leads to a volume expansion and subsequently alleviates the blood pressure levels in the body.
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When on steroids, make sure that you monitor your blood pressure regularly as the use of steroids has been associated with high blood pressure in many patients.
#2. Changing mood
Where PMS is not the only thing that needs to be blamed for the mood swings as they can sometimes be a result of steroid overdose. Out of many side effects of steroid overdose, one of them is a sudden change in a person’s mood that can either make them extremely happy or even depressed due to no certain reason. In such cases sometimes the dosage of a patient needs to be reduced or else a combination of medicines is prescribed to control this condition.
Other than medications it is important for the people around the patient to know about this condition of mood change due to steroids so they can act accordingly.
#3. Weight Gain
The use of steroids has been known to treat various conditions but it is also known to affect a person's metabolism. As steroids affect your body's metabolic activities, it also has an impact upon the ways in which your body tends to deposit fats. Weight gain due to steroid overdose is a common issue that many people face as it increases their appetite. An increased appetite eventually leads to weight gain and results in extra fat deposition in your abdominal region.
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In order to deal with this condition, one might lead an active lifestyle and incorporate exercise into their routine. Where burning calories is not just enough and one also needs to watch out for the calories they are consuming to prevent excessive weight gain.
#4. Risk of Infections
With pyogenic bacteria being one of the most common pathogens, the use of steroids has been associated with an increased risk of various pathogenic infections. Although in most of the cases the risk is dependent upon the duration of therapy and the dosage a person has been taking. Where it is not just one but several types of infections that might affect a person due to an overdose of steroids such as herpes, listeria, parasites and various fungal viruses. This happens as certain steroids tend to suppress the protective role of your immune system and hence puts you at a larger risk of getting infected.
#5. Upset Stomach
Where an upset stomach is a very common problem, it can be an indication of some severe issue. Use of steroids leads to an upset stomach which is due to the increased risk of gastrolienal bleeding and stomach ulcers. Steroid overdose alone is not responsible for giving rise to this condition but combining it with other anti-inflammatory drugs can give rise to this condition.
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It is advised to take the steroid medication after consuming your meals or with an antacid as it would help in reducing the irritation in your stomach lining.
(With inputs from Dr. Rishabh Kohli, MBBS - General Physician, Wellness Healthcare)