Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids (steroids) are strong anti-inflammatory medicines that calm an overactive immune system. In IBD they are used to bring a flare under control quickly, but they are not meant for long-term, ongoing use because of side effects.
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Corticosteroids, often just called steroids, are strong anti-inflammatory medicines. They are man-made versions of hormones the body's adrenal glands make, and they work by reducing inflammation and calming an overactive immune system (MedlinePlus). (These are not the same as the anabolic steroids some people use to build muscle.)
Their role in IBD
In inflammatory bowel disease, corticosteroids are mainly a short-term tool to bring a flare under control and help move someone toward remission. They are good at calming active inflammation quickly, which is why they are reached for when disease is moderate to severe (Crohn's & Colitis Foundation).
Why they are not a long-term answer
The flip side is that steroids are strong medicines with real side effects, which can include weakened bones and cataracts with prolonged or high-dose use. For that reason they are usually taken for as short a time as possible (MedlinePlus). In IBD specifically, they are used to bring on remission, not to maintain it over the long term, which is where other medicines come in (Crohn's & Colitis Foundation).
How they are given
Corticosteroids come in several forms, including tablets, injections, and treatments aimed at the gut, as well as inhalers and skin creams for other conditions (MedlinePlus). How and for how long they are used is tailored to the person.