What is a common therapeutic use of corticosteroids?

Corticosteroids are synthetic drugs that closely resemble cortisol, a hormone that your body produces naturally in the adrenal glands. One of the primary therapeutic uses of corticosteroids is immunosuppression. They are widely used in various medical conditions where the immune system is overactive or attacking the body's own tissues, such as in autoimmune diseases, organ transplantations, and inflammatory conditions.

By suppressing the immune response, corticosteroids help to reduce inflammation and manage symptoms associated with these conditions. This immunosuppressive effect is beneficial in preventing organ rejection after transplants and in treating diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, where inflammation plays a critical role in the pathology.

The other options do not accurately capture the primary therapeutic use of corticosteroids. While corticosteroids can help alleviate pain associated with inflammation, their main action is not to provide direct pain relief. Likewise, they do not play a role in reducing blood pressure or in insulin production.