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A big greeting to all, this time I come with an interesting publication regarding the use of drugs and the effect it can have on us.

I am not only referring to the tacit effect of these that is to heal a particular disease, but there are always adverse effects in these, even some of these are not yet known, but with the passage of time medical science ends up realizing that what they generate are not only positive effects, therefore there are drugs that are no longer used because there are more potential risks of certain reactions than the benefits of using them.

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<center>[Pixabay/ Author: jarmoluk](https://pixabay.com/es/photos/medicamento-tabletas-257349/)</center>
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In the development of medicine in general we will always find that our actions are related or subject to be evaluated under the Risk/Benefit scheme.

That is, before indicating a procedure or a treatment, we must consider whether the benefits really outweigh the potential harms. Example:

An ear infection in an infant, and the bacteria is only sensitive to a quinolone-type antibiotic (ciprofloxacin, for example). These drugs are harmful in infants for the ears, they can even cause deafness, but if left untreated the infection can cause meningitis, which by itself is fatal or leaves considerable damage to the brain, including delayed cognitive development process, motility, among other things ...

Think about it for a moment, *Would you use the medication?*


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<center>[Pixabay/ Author: Victoria_paint](https://pixabay.com/es/photos/la-temperatura-chico-beb%c3%a9-ni%c3%b1os-5185845/)</center>
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With this situation it is difficult to make a decision without potential damage. But a decision has to be made.


Well, each medication has its adverse effects, a group widely used are corticosteroids, of which we must highlight their potent and rapid anti-inflammatory effect, which makes them first-line drugs in hospitals when some type of inflammation must be treated, regardless of the location.

They are the drugs of choice when there is a severe case of asthma, either via inhalation or intravenously, or together, for example dexamethasone or hydrocortisone.

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<center>[Pixabay/ Author: coltsfan](https://pixabay.com/es/photos/inhalador-respiraci%c3%b3n-asma-2520471/)</center>
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Also in cases of cranioencephalic or generalized trauma, prednisolone is usually indicated to treat inflammation in the nervous system.

Not to mention when we talk about immune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, for example, where its use is prolonged, practically for life, and allows to control the disease or at least prevent it from advancing so fast.

It is a basic component in creams when we are in the presence of dermatitis, or any other dermal inflammatory condition. 

As you can notice, the use of steroids or corticoids is very wide, because they are really effective drugs in many diseases, both acute and chronic.

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<center>[Pixabay/ Author: AdoreBeautyNZ](https://pixabay.com/es/photos/crema-loci%c3%b3n-las-manos-4713579/)</center>
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The problem here is that the prolonged use of this type of medication has serious consequences on our health, I will mention below some of them:

* Affects the function of the immune system: this is a big problem, because a drug that decreases the defense function of your organism would not be a good option, not apparently, but would you rather that or live with constant pain in your joints, so much that it does not even allow you to take a step, or close your hands? Difficult situation, isn't it?

But this same effect is often used to prevent some organ transplant rejections, so, everything has its nuances. 

* Increased Glycemia:

This is another problem that brings us the consumption of steroids, and with this all that comes with having very high glycemia. 

* Arterial Hypertension:

This effect is due to the fact that steroids cause the kidneys to absorb more sodium and more water, which will bring an increase in blood pressure. 

* Weight gain:

The microstructure of steroids is basically cholesterol, with some differences that give it its variability and differentiation. For this reason we could not only gain weight, but also have high cholesterol levels, which by itself is a big problem and has many risks. 


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<center>[Pixabay/ Author: geralt](https://pixabay.com/es/photos/libra-b%c3%a1scula-de-ba%c3%b1o-peso-pesaje-162952/)</center>
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* Scarring problems and thinning of the skin:

All of the above affects healing, but in addition the thickness of the skin is compromised, making it more sensitive to injury.


The healing process is also much slower, and if we add to that a compromised immune system, the possibility of infections increases.


These are just some of the adverse effects that we can see, and those that are known, because it can happen that over the years new adverse effects are discovered. 

Now, the complication arises when we have no other pharmacological options to alleviate certain symptomatology, and that is when the risk/benefit analysis comes into play.

Everything in life could be seen in this way, because making a decision or not making a decision will generate a consequence, the important thing is to take into consideration what is the most convenient, within the wide range of options, when there are any.

Thank you very much for reading my publication, I hope that you now have a different vision regarding the use of drugs.



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* **Links consulted**

* [Balance beneficio-riesgo de los medicamentos comercializados: Evaluación de las señales de seguridad](https://cioms.ch/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/benefit-risk.pdf)
* [Risk and Benefit Analysis of Medicines](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/324201440_Risk_and_Benefit_Analysis_of_Medicines)
* [Review of methodologies for benefit and risk assessment of medication](http://imi-protect.eu/documents/ShahruletalReviewofmethodologiesforbenefitandriskassessmentofmedicationMay2013.pdf)


*This publication contributes 10% beneficiary for the growth of @stemsocial.*
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