Cortisone facts for kids
Cortisone is a special type of steroid hormone. Hormones are like chemical messengers in your body. Cortisone is one of the main hormones your adrenal glands release when your body is under stress.
It is very similar to another hormone called cortisol. Doctors use cortisone to help treat many different health problems. It can be given in various ways, like shots or pills.
Cortisone works by calming down your immune system. This helps to reduce swelling, pain, and redness where you might have an injury or inflammation. However, using cortisone for a long time can have some risks.
What is Cortisone?
Cortisone is a natural chemical made by your body. It is a type of corticosteroid. These are powerful hormones that help control many body functions. Your adrenal glands, which sit on top of your kidneys, produce cortisone.
How Does Cortisone Work?
When you get hurt or sick, your body's immune system can cause inflammation. This means the area might become swollen, red, warm, and painful. Cortisone helps by telling your immune system to slow down. This reduces the inflammation, which then lessens the pain and swelling. It's like putting a brake on your body's overactive response.
Doctors use cortisone to treat conditions like:
- Severe allergies
- Arthritis (joint pain and swelling)
- Skin problems
- Asthma
Who Discovered Cortisone?
Three scientists won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1950 for finding out about cortisone. They were Tadeus Reichstein, E.C. Kendall, and P.S. Hench. Their discovery was a big step forward in medicine. It helped doctors treat many diseases that caused a lot of pain and inflammation.
See also
In Spanish: Cortisona para niños
