It is the very plight of so many people hailing from different aspects of life. When conservative treatments such as physical therapy, over-the-counter pain relievers, and exercise do nothing but increase the problem, physicians prescribe oral steroids to reduce inflammation and help patients feel better.
But how often can you take oral steroids without it causing any harm? This blog shall look at the benefits, risks, recommended frequency, and key considerations to be taken while consuming oral steroids in order to manage back pain.
What are Oral Steroids?
Corticosteroids, more commonly known as oral steroids, are medicines acting just like the hormones of the adrenal glands, such as cortisol. Corticosteroids reduce inflammation by damping down the immune system.
Pain, therefore, may be relieved in inflammatory conditions by this reduction of inflammation. In most cases of back pain, oral steroids are prescribed on a short-course basis with the aim of trying to help reduce inflammation within those muscles, joints, or nerves causing discomfort.
Common Oral Steroids for Back Pain
- Prednisone
- Methylprednisolone
- Dexamethasone
These steroids are prescribed in very small quantities for a short period and allow the patient to control his pain with minimal risk of any long time side effects.
How Oral Steroids Help with Back Pain
Oral corticosteroids are particularly useful in the treatment of back pain emanating from the following inflammatory conditions:
- Herniated disc: This is a condition when the disc bulges out from between the vertebrae and presses on a nerve, thus causing pain.
- Sciatica: Pain radiating along the sciatic nerve; the commonest cause is a herniated disc.
- Arthritis: Osteoarthritis or inflammatory arthritis in the spine may result in chronic back pain.
- Spondylitis: The stiffness and pain occurring along the spine in cases of inflammatory diseases are due to ankylosing spondylitis.
Oral steroids do this by reducing inflammation and subsequently putting pressure on nerves or tissues, thereby relieving symptoms resistant to all other forms of treatment.
How Frequently Is It Possible To Take Oral Steroids?
Oral steroids are usually given in short courses because normally, long-term consumption is avoided in the treatment of back pain. The frequency and dosage depend on the severity of your condition and your body’s response to the medication. General guidelines that may vary per individual recommendation are as follows:
Short Course Treatment
The majority of ‘coin’ courses of oral steroids for back pain last 5 to 14 days. A typical example might be prednisone prescribed at a dosage of 20-40 mg daily for 5-7 days, with a gradual taper of the dosage.
Tapering Schedule
In treatment with some steroids, such as prednisone, the dosing schedule is designed to taper at the end of treatment. That is, it starts rather high and is very gradually tapered over days. For example, a dose might be prescribed to be tapered starting at 40 mg on day one, reducing by 5 mg per day until the course is completed.
Repeat Courses Occasional
If the back pain recurs, physicians may recommend another short course of steroids, though in general, it is usually inadvisable to start another course much before a few months. Too frequent use of steroids has side effects; hence, physicians try other measures of treatment or adjustments in lifestyle intervening between courses.
Long-term use
Steroids are prescribed as a rule for permanent intervention in pain relief, especially in cases of backache, due to serious side effects related to their long-term use. In case a person needs long-term pain relief, usually other medications or therapies might be recommended.
Ask Your Doctor
Your doctor is the best person to determine the exact dosage and frequency, which may vary depending on the individual case.
Risks of Frequent Use of Oral Steroids for Back Pain
While oral steroids can help ease the back from some of its pain, consumption involves a lot of risks: these medications are considered hazardous, particularly if taken regularly and in big amounts. Understanding the risks involves making responsible decisions about your treatment:
- Weakened Immunity: Steroids reduce the immune system. Thus, one is more prone to infections if steroids are taken on a regular basis.
- Osteoporosis (Bone Loss): Steroids can cause a decrease in bone density along with a thinning of the bones, thereby increasing the risk for fractures. This is especially alarming to older adults.
- Muscle weakness: The prolonged use of steroids can lead to muscle weakness and loss, making it more difficult to recover from back pain.
- Weight Gain/Fluid Retention: Steroids may cause increase of weight and fluid retention, which in return may put extra pressure on the spine and joints.
- Mood Swings and Mental Health: Habitually taken steroids can cause mood swings, anxiety, and a condition such as depression.
- Gastrointestinal Problems: Steroids raise the risk of stomach ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding when combined with NSAIDs, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
For these reasons, most healthcare providers recommend the use of oral steroids only when absolutely necessary and consider other treatments when possible.
Alternatives to Oral Steroids for Back Pain Relief
If you’re concerned about oral steroids’ side effects or if frequent use of this medication is not advisable, then consider these alternative treatments that can help you deal with your back pain:
- Physiotherapy: Regular sessions with a physiotherapist will also reinforce the muscles of the spine, reduce inflammation, and increase mobility.
- Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs: Over-the-counter NSAIDs, including ibuprofen or naproxen, can control mild to moderate levels of pain without the use of steroids and their potential adverse side effects.
- Heat/Cold Therapy: Application of heat or cold packs to the affected area helps in lessening inflammation and relieving tension within the muscles.
- Steroid Shots: In cases where oral steroids cannot be given, your doctor might recommend injecting steroids in the region for more effective pain relief while minimizing systemic side effects.
- Acupuncture and Massage: These are forms of unconventional modalities that alleviate back pain through dissolving tension in muscles and enhancing blood circulation around the region.
Lifestyle modifications include good weight management, regular exercise, and good posture. Follow these to avoid chronic back pain, or at least manage it.
Tips on Safest Way of Administering Oral Steroids for Backache
If your doctor has prescribed oral steroids for back pain, here are some tips that will help you take them safely as well as effectively:
- Prescription Carefully: The use of steroids is to be done just as it was prescribed-by dose, method, and also tapering to avoid withdrawal symptoms.
- Monitor Side Effects: In case of any, report them to your doctor, especially in cases where they become severe or interfere with living.
- Avoid Long-term Use: Try to avoid the use of steroids for purposes intended to last long, as most of their side effects are directly related to the increase in time for which one consumes the product.
- Stay Active: Physical activity can strengthen the muscles of your back, thereby reducing dependence on steroids in the future.
- Take Supplements of Calcium and Vitamin D: Since steroids can affect the health of your bones, a supplement containing both calcium and vitamin D may be taken to keep the bone density intact.
When to Consult a Doctor
If you notice any of these during your course of taking oral steroids for back pain, consult your doctor promptly:
- Severe abdominal pain or GI bleeding
- Unexplained mood swings or depression
- Sudden weight gain or swelling
- Persistent infections or unexplained fevers
- Weakness or tiredness
Conclusion
Oral steroids give strong relief for back pain by way of reducing inflammation and relieving pressure on an affected nerve or tissue. However, careful and sparing use is advised because of possible side effects.
Usually, in many patients, a short course of treatment will be amply effective, followed, if necessary, by tapering, while the use of steroids should be avoided in long-term use as far as possible.
Remember, the management of back pain is often multifaceted, entailing changes in lifestyle, exercises, and alternative pain-relieving techniques.
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