How do cortisone pills work?

Answer 1

Cortisone is generally used to reduce inflammation in the body. Inflammation is the body's response to injury (real or perceived). It causes tissue to swell and become red and irritated. This also increases blood perfusion to the inflamed body part to aid and speed healing. Sometimes this inflammation response is exaggerated and not helpful (such an in an allergic reaction and some injuries). In this case, a steroid like cortisone will suppress the body's immune system, and inflammation will subside. Our body's make their own steroids, which also function in the same way. Our bodies increase steroid production during times of stress to prepare us for "fight or flight". This is why people who are generally more stressed out seem to be ill more often. Their stress has increased their natural steroid production, which has suppressed their immune systems.