What does CIO mean in PHYSIOLOGY

Cortisol is a hormone produced naturally in the body to help with stress management and other functions. Corticosteroids are synthetic hormones that are similar to cortisol but more potent, used primarily for inflammation management and autoimmune disorder treatment.

Prolonged use of synthetic corticosteroids increase the risk for developing CIO as it has been linked to an increase in bone resorption, also known as a reduction in bone density and mineralization. The exact mechanism of how this occurs is not fully understood yet.

Postmenopausal women on long-term glucocorticoid therapy have been found to be most at risk, but those aged between 50-70 years and those on high doses of corticosteroids may be at higher risk as well. Individuals with existing osteoporosis or multiple risk factors may be at greater risk than others who are not predisposed to developing osteoporosis.

Symptoms include bone pain, fractures or breaks due to weak bones, height loss, jawbone loss, neck pain or curvature, shoulder blade tenderness and curvature of the spine from compression fractures. In some cases there may be no noticeable symptoms until a fracture occurs.

Treatment options include lifestyle modifications such as a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D supplementation along with regular exercise specially designed for strengthening bones; medications such as bisphosphonates; alternative therapies such as acupuncture; and hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Additionally patients should avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption which could further exacerbate their condition.