Steroid atrophy

Okay kiddo, so you know how muscles make our arms and legs strong and help us move? Well, sometimes people take medicine called steroids to help make their muscles stronger. But if they take too much or for too long, it can actually make their muscles weaker!

This is called steroid atrophy. It happens because the steroids mess up the way our body makes new muscle cells. The cells that are already there start to shrink and get smaller. This can make it hard for people to do things they used to be able to do, like lift heavy things or run fast.

Doctors try to avoid steroid atrophy by only giving the medicine for a short time and in small amounts. They also monitor their patients closely to make sure their muscles stay strong. It's important for people to talk to their doctor if they have any concerns or questions about steroids or steroid atrophy.