Who this is for
This guide is for people taking steroid tablets such as prednisolone for weeks or months, for example for asthma, arthritis or kidney disease. If you take hydrocortisone as replacement for adrenal insufficiency, your dose copies normal cortisol and these effects are much less common.
How steroids affect the body
- Increased appetite and weight gain, mainly around the trunk and face
- Higher blood sugar, often later in the day
- Fluid retention and higher blood pressure
- Thinning of bones and weakness of muscles
Food choices that help
- Plan healthy snacks for when hunger strikes: fruit, roasted chana, curd or sprouts
- Cut down on sweets, sugary drinks and refined snacks
- Use less salt, pickles, papad and packaged foods
- Include calcium-rich foods such as milk, curd, ragi and green leafy vegetables
- Eat enough protein to protect muscle, and keep active
Blood sugar
Steroids can raise blood sugar even in people without diabetes. If you have diabetes, check your sugars more often; your diabetes medicines may need adjusting while you take steroids.
Two important cautions
- Never stop steroid tablets suddenly after more than a few weeks; reduce them only as advised.
- People with adrenal insufficiency who take fludrocortisone may need normal or extra salt, so do not cut salt without asking your doctor.
This guide is general information and is not a substitute for a consultation.