Steroids are the key factor to reduce inflammation in asthma. Inhalant steroids are much more safer than oral steroids because inhalant steroids directly move into the lungs and this cause immediate effect, the patient eases out on his breathing and moreover it does not get absorbed to the other parts of the body, whereas oral steroids when you take it through the blood circulation to all other parts of the body and that long term can lead to certain side effects. Moreover the dosages given in inhalant steroids are very less and do not cause any side effects when given in the right dosage and the right amount of time. The side effects that we usually see are the oral thrush or what we call as the oral fungal infection. To prevent this, the patients are advised to gargle every time they take a puff. The other side effect that us seen is hoarseness of voice. For this also if the patient gargles after every puff, then this will also not be seen. Many parents or patients come and ask us about a lot of myths what they have heard about inhalant steroid especially in children. So the common question being asked is do inhalant steroids cause a stunt in the growth of the child. The dosage of inhalers that we give to the child are so small that they cannot cause such a side effect. In the long term if it is for more than 3 months or 6 months then we do not see any side effects. But for more than 6 months in the total growth of an adult, we may see an inch or so smaller than what they should be. The other question being asked is the immunity of the patients gets suppressed while taking steroid inhalers. Again the answer is no. Inhalant steroids go directly into the lungs. They only clear up the inflammation of the lungs. They do not have any other side effects.
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