What medical condition is often treated with corticosteroids?

Corticosteroids are often prescribed for asthma because they are effective in reducing inflammation in the airways, which is a key factor in asthma exacerbations. By decreasing swelling and mucus production in the lungs, corticosteroids help to relieve breathing difficulties and prevent asthma attacks. They work by mimicking the effects of cortisol, a hormone that plays a vital role in managing inflammation and the immune response.

In contrast, the other conditions listed are typically treated with different classes of medications. For instance, diabetes is generally managed with insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents, hypertension is usually treated with antihypertensive medications such as diuretics or ACE inhibitors, and heart disease may require a combination of lifestyle changes and medications like beta-blockers or statins, but corticosteroids are not a first-line treatment for these conditions.