Your controller inhaler might make you a little hoarse every now and then, because some of the medicine can stay in your mouth and throat if you don't use a valved-holding chamber or spacer. It's also a good idea to rinse out your mouth with water and spit it out after taking your controller inhaler. Steroid tablets give you a higher dose of steroids than your controller inhaler. You need this higher dose if your asthma gets really bad.

Most studies say kids grow normally when they take normal amounts (400 to 800 mcg/day) of Beclomethasone (an inhaled steroid) but higher doses may cause some trouble. Long-term steroid tablet use shows the most risk for growth problems. Your doctor will keep track of how you're growing while you are on these medications, and may try to step-down this medicine when possible. On the other hand, having your asthma out of control itself can lead to growth problems.

NO. Your inhaler contains such a low dose of steroids that it will not make you put on weight. Sometimes steroid tablets can make you feel hungry, and eating more will make you start to gain weight. The tablets themselves don't make you gain, so eat your normal amounts while you take them and you should be fine.

A: Most studies say kids grow normally when they take 400 to 800 mcg/day of Beclomethasone (an inhaled steroid) although higher doses may cause some trouble. Long term steroid tablet use shows the most risk for growth problems. The doctor will carefully track how your child is growing while he or she is on these medications, and may try to step-down (decrease the dosage) this therapy when possible. On the other hand, having your child's asthma out of control itself can lead to growth problems.

Inhaled steroids at low doses are well tolerated, but at higher doses they may slow a child's growth, especially in the early school years. In most cases, the rate of growth will speed up again when the steroid dose is lowered. If your child needs significant doses of inhaled steroids, it is important to consider the following points: Without steroids, your child may not be able to live a normal life, attend school regularly, and enjoy sports and games with the other children.

Steroid tablets (eg. Prednisolone) are given in cases of complicated uveitis, often posterior uveitis. They are used to dampen down the immune system. Steroids are given because your ophthalmologist judges that the risks to the eye outweigh these side effects. If your side effects are very severe, you should discuss the pros and cons of steroids with your ophthalmologist. I'm afraid not! There have been a few studies which suggest that stress is a factor.

Some doctors are not aware that it is important to use inhaled steroids and long acting medications to treat asthma. You may want to suggest that they review the newer guidelines on asthma treatment.

The inhaled steroid medicines used to treat asthma are safe and effective. It is important to take your steroid medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The steroids used for asthma are NOT the same drugs as steroids some athletes take to build muscle.

Asthma medications are generally very safe when used as instructed by the doctor. The lowest dose of medications will be determined by the doctor in order to maintain good asthma control. The potential benefits of medications for asthma, in general, far outweigh any possible risks. The following allergy related questions were answered by Dr. Vander Leek, allergist/ immunologist in private practice in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

Steroid is the Greek word for hormone. Some steroids occur naturally in the body, such as cortisol, sex hormones, bile acids. Cortisol is essential for all life. There are many kinds of steroids, Cortico, Glutico, Sex Hormones and Anabolic steroids. Anabolic steroids are illegal. When synthetic steroid hormones are prescribed and used correctly, they can be helpful, and their side-effects can be reduced. But when safeguards are ignored, damage can result.

Side effects from steroids vary widely between patients, but are generally pretty severe particularly when used at moderate to high doses (> 15mg prednisone daily).

NO. The corticosteroids used in your controller medicine are different than the anabolic steroids people use to build large muscles, and work in a different way. The corticosteroids in your inhaler are a lot like those made naturally in your body. When you inhale them, they go down your airway to get rid of the inflammation (swelling) that causes asthma symptoms.

Mention steroids and the first thought that comes up is that of a beefy athlete whose head is two sizes too large for his body. What many people don't realize is that there are two different kinds of steroids. The first kind, anabolic steroids, are the ones you read about in...

The long-term side effects of steroid use are quite variable and can be severe.

Inhaled corticosteroids may cause a small reduction in how quickly your child's height increases. However, poorly controlled asthma itself may pose a risk of delayed growth. The effect on final adult height is not known. And, several studies have shown that there was no statistically significant impact on growth in children who received long-term inhaled corticosteroids for the treatment of persistent asthma.

Anabolic steroids are associated with numerous side effects. Most of the side effects are mild and reversible. However, some are permanent and life threatening.

Oral steroids have numerous side effects. All steroidal medications should be prescribed by a doctor especially if taken by mouth. However, local injections of steroids will act only in the knee and are NOT absorbed by the body. Hence, there will be no side effects on the body.

About 5% of the population are "steroid responders", meaning that the intraocular pressure goes up when steroid drops are used. Your ophthalmologist will measure your intraocular pressure on your first two visits to determine whether you fall into this group. If you are a steroid responder, your ophthalmologist may prescribe anti-glaucoma medication to bring the pressure down, or he may prescribe a weaker steroid such as FML.