Word parts
What it means
A family of substances built from cholesterol. The body's steroid hormones include cortisolKOR-tih-solA steroid hormone made by the adrenal glands that helps control blood sugar, blood pressure, stress and inflammation.Full entry and aldosterone (from the adrenal glands) and the sex hormones estrogenES-truh-jenA female sex hormone, made mainly by the ovaries, and the group of drugs that act like it.Full entry , progesterone and testosterone. As drugs, "steroids" in a hospital usually means corticosteroidkor-tih-koh-STER-oydA drug that acts like the hormones of the adrenal glands, used mainly to calm inflammation and the immune system.cortic/o cortex (the outer layer of the adrenal gland)-oid likeFull entry such as prednisone, used to reduce inflammation. Anabolic steroids are drugs related to testosterone that build muscle.
For the nurse
When a client says "steroids", ask which drug, the dose and how long they have taken it. Long-term corticosteroids must not be stopped suddenly; they are tapered.
At a glance
| Spanish | esteroide |
|---|---|
| Also written | steroids |
Related terms
corticosteroid
A drug that acts like the hormones of the adrenal glands, used mainly to calm inflammation and the immune system.
estrogen
A female sex hormone, made mainly by the ovaries, and the group of drugs that act like it.
cortisol
A steroid hormone made by the adrenal glands that helps control blood sugar, blood pressure, stress and inflammation.
adrenocorticotropic hormone
A hormone from the pituitary gland that tells the adrenal glands to make cortisol.