Prednisone is synthetic steroid that is also called corticosteroid. Corticosteroids have the ability of easy passing through the walls of intestinal tract, but the absorption through the skin and mucosa layer is also possible. The problem is in the fact that the large quantities which can pass through like this can cause some medical problems (inhibition of function of some glands).
Basic role
Prednisone weakens the processes of inflammation (infection), allergy and immunological reaction and it does this by inhibiting the function of leukocytes (white blood cells). In inflammation, Prednisone inhibits the early stages of inflammatory process (edema, vasodilatation, migration of white blood cells to the place of infection, etc.) Prednisone has a strong anti asthmatic effect, induced by the inhibition of arachnid acid that has a major role in creation of asthmatic seizure. Anti inflammatory effect of Prednisone is not typical, which means that the inflammation will be affected by Prednisone, no matter what the real cause of inflammation was. Causes of inflammation might be mechanical, chemical, physical and immunological. Prednisone is a medication that might save one's life, but also it can decrease the strength of the immune system, so it should be used with caution in each therapy. This is especially emphasized in Prednisone therapy when the infection (bacterial for example) happens. In this case, Prednisone therapy stops and bacterial infection has to be dealt with. When it is gone, Prednisone therapy starts again.
Additional role
Immunosuppressive effect of Prednisone can be seen in the transplantation process of inner organs. Prednisone increases the number of neutrophils in a bloodstream and at the same time decrease the number of leukocytes (especially T and B type), eosinophils and basophils. Prednisone affects the re-absorption of calcium within intestinal tract, and even osteoporosis might happen if Prednisone has been used for a long time. This medication enhances the secretion of HCL in the stomach, causing creation of new or activation of old peptic ulcers. Prednisone also has some effect on the metabolic processes in the organism, it stimulates gluconeogenesis, the increase of glycogen and accumulation of fat tissue. It causes retention of sodium and excretion of potassium and it is used for dealing with allergy conditions (asthma, more specifically), urticaria, some forms of dermatitis, arthritis, cerebral edema, gastrointestinal problems (ulcerative colitis). Prednisone has a lot of positive effects in our organism, but it also can cause problems if used excessively or for a wrong purpose.
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