This may cause inflammation to work against the body's own tissues and cause damage. Inflammation is characterized by redness, warmth, swelling and pain. Steroids reduce the production of inflammatory chemicals in order to minimize tissue damage. Steroids also reduce the activity of the immune system by affecting the function of white blood cells. Steroids are used to treat a variety of conditions in which the body's defense system malfunctions and causes tissue damage.
Steroids are the main therapy for certain diseases.
For other conditions, steroids may be used only sparingly, or when other treatments have not been successful. For example, steroids may help prevent the progression of kidney inflammation, which can lead to kidney failure in people who have lupus or vasculitis. For these patients, steroid therapy may eliminate the need for kidney dialysis or transplantation. Low doses of steroids may provide significant relief from pain and stiffness for people with rheumatoid arthritis. Temporary use of higher doses of steroids may help a person recover from a severe flare-up of arthritis.