272. Steroids for asthma and allergies might be linked to brain decline
Dr. David Geier is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. He helps athletes and active people feel and perform their best, regardless of age, injuries and medical history. He has been featured in major media publications and shows over 2,500 times throughout his career.
Taking oral or inhaled steroid medications for asthma, allergies, or autoimmune diseases appears to produce negative effects on the white matter of the brain. In the study, published in the journal BMJ Open, Dutch researchers found the greatest amount of white matter damage in people who use oral steroids regularly over long periods of time. They had slower mental processing speeds, and more depression, fatigue, and apathy, than people who didn’t use these steroids. People who used inhaled steroids showed less reduction in white matter brain integrity. If you take these medications on a regular basis, it’s important you talk to your doctor and take them only as recommended, ideally at the lowest possible dose to control your illness.
Through the stories of a dozen athletes whose injuries and recovery advanced the field (including Joan Benoit, Michael Jordan, Brandi Chastain, and Tommy John), Dr. Geier explains how sports medicine makes sports safer for the pros, amateurs, student-athletes, and weekend warriors alike.
