Cortisol helps to regulate the immune system, body metabolism and our response to stress.
There are many corticosteroid medications available. The most common oral form is prednisone. When taken as medications, the corticosteroids have two main effects. They reduce inflammation, and they suppress the immune system. Depending on what condition they are used to treat, corticosteroids can be taken orally, injected, put on the skin, inhaled or taken rectally.