Steroids and Your Bones — Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis

If you take steroid medications (glucocorticoids like prednisolone or prednisone) for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, or inflammatory bowel disease, you should know that steroids are one of the most common causes of secondary osteoporosis.

The good news: if caught early, steroid-induced bone loss can be prevented and treated effectively. This article explains how steroids affect your bones, when prevention should begin, and what you can do to protect yourself.