Cortisone Injections: Ways It Rejuvenates Your Life

Cortisone has been used for many years to help support numerous health conditions. It can make skin glow, relieve pain, and ease swelling. Injections of this medication have received mixed reviews from critics and those in the medical community, as it is not for everyone. But in quite a few instances, patients who receive cortisone injections find the health benefits outweigh the risk of side effects, or the side effects they actually experience. Many individuals can experience health benefits without significant side effects provided they work with a responsible doctor and they follow the instructions they are given.

Back Pain

Used predominantly for severe cases such as sciatica or spinal stenosis, cortisone injections ease back pain temporarily rather than cure it permanently. For lower back pain related to sciatica, epidural injections can help prevent nerve roots from spreading the discomfort by aiming for that area, as these nerves affect other parts of the body. Procaine hydrochloride numbs the area and will wear off, so it is quite useful when short-term pain management is desired.

Acne

A small zit here and there usually is not a problem for most individuals, but when serious eruptions arise, acne can be a debilitating condition. Thankfully, there are many acne treatments available, one of which is an injection of cortisone. When injected, cortisone zaps the acne in one quick step. The one-time treatment can get rid of a pimple completely in one or two days, though at the very least it can help reduce the size and redness of the mark. Cortisone is injected directly into the center of a pimple and only feels like a minor pinch. There are no restrictions following treatment, and normal activity can resume immediately.

Muscle And Joint Inflammation

Quickly gaining in popularity and made widely recognizable for its effectiveness by Dr. Janet Travell, cortisone injections for muscle and joint inflammation can greatly improve an individual's quality of life. The properties in the steroids reduce and inhibit compounds, which aids in the destruction of tissue, swelling, and pain. Among the conditions treated with cortisone injections to reduce inflammation are osteoarthritis, bursitis, tendinitis, and carpal tunnel syndrome. The procedure is considered safe and is best combined with stretching, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication, rest, ice, and heat.

Healing The Adrenals

Adrenal fatigue is often the result of stress, whether physical, mental or emotional. If left untreated, it can lead to other health implications, such as increased weight gain and allergies, as well as bone loss and reduced muscle mass. A cortisone injection, in some instances, can help regulate symptoms like food sensitivities, tiredness, low blood pressure, and food cravings. It is prescribed by a doctor, who will usually recommend starting with a low dose that can be slowly increased. Alternatively, cortisone for this purpose can be given in pill form.

Hip Arthritis

Arthritis in the hips, like just about any other form of arthritis, can be debilitating and the pain excruciating. This condition is the result of the breakdown of cartilage, and with arthritis in the hips, the pain can even shoot down to the affected individual's knees. When a case of arthritis in the hips has a significant impact on a patient's mobility, it can negatively affect everyday activities like walking, gardening, and sports, which is precisely why prompt and effective treatment is so important. Before surgery, individuals with hip arthritis can consider alternative treatments like stretching, mobility aids, and cortisone injections. Steroids will be injected directly and target the joint itself, making the pain more manageable at least temporarily.

Sinus Infections

Although no one enjoys dealing with a sinus infection, the good news is, for the most part, minor sinus infections can be treated with over-the-counter medications or home remedies. Unfortunately, however, when acute sinusitis hits, it can lead to inflammation, pain, headaches, and fever. This is caused by bacteria invading the infection, where it lives in the hollow sinus cavities. For those cases, cortisone injections can provide quick, short-term relief. Aside from injections, cortisone can help treat this through inhalation or in pill form, and typically all procedures are accompanied by antibiotics.

Pinched Nerve

A pinched nerve in the neck or back can create long-term problems for employment, regular physical activity, and even standing up straight. Cortisone shots can help minimize pain and help affected individuals regain their mobility and independence. The success rates and outlook are strong for epidural steroid injections, allowing some patients to enjoy long-term freedom from pain for up to a month, allowing them to ease into a more active lifestyle. It may take more than one injection and can have various side effects, however, most patients would agree the reward of living a pain-free life outweigh the risks.

Plantar Fasciitis

Runners are more prone to foot pain like plantar fasciitis than those who do not run regularly, and it can cause a lot of grief, pain, and loss of training time when not taken care of. When typical remedies such as rest, ice, and custom orthotics prove futile for helping an individual's plantar fasciitis, cortisone injections are considered. The injections are used to reduce inflammation of the ligament and subsequently relieve pain. The pain can subside for up to several weeks, but there is a risk of a flare-up, which can make the pain worse before it gets better.

Safety First

Cortisone is typically used to treat pain and inflammation, but is also sometimes used for individuals suffering from allergies, skin conditions, ulcerative colitis, lupus, and breathing disorders. Like all medications and treatments, however, its use should be monitored and can interfere with some medications. It should also be noted certain medical conditions, such as liver and kidney disease, thyroid disorders, malaria, muscle issues, mental illness, high blood pressure, and heart disease, can affect the safe use of cortisone, particularly cortisone injections. Patients with conditions like these should discuss them with their doctor should they ever consider using cortisone injections to treat another issue they are having. Doctors can determine if these injections are even an option, and, if so, they will be able to closely monitor the patient.