Steroid-induced osteoporosis
Many people take oral or inhaled steroids, which include prednisone,
betamethasone, and fluocinolide, for conditions such as
asthma or
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Oral
steroids and high-dose inhaled steroids can cause bone loss over time. If you
are on these types of medications for 6 months or longer, you are at increased
risk of developing
osteoporosis, which puts you at high risk for broken
bones. Once broken bones occur, healing can take a long time because of the
decreased ability of your bones to rebuild due to osteoporosis.
If you are on long-term use of steroids, you should be monitored for
bone loss.
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