Date post: | 12-Apr-2017 |
Category: |
Health & Medicine |
Upload: | francesca-casasanta |
View: | 92 times |
Download: | 0 times |
SteroidsFrancesca Casasanta
What are anabolic steroids? Synthetic variations of the male sex
hormone testosterone Anabolic: muscle building Androgenic: Increased male sex
characteristics Can be prescribed by healthcare
providers to treat hormonal issues and diseases
Commonly used by athletes to improve performance or physical appearance
Reasons for Use Improve athletic performance –
estimated to be less than 6% according to surveys, but more widespread use is suggested
Testing procedures are required throughout sports organizations to detect use
Increase muscle size Reduce body fat To pursue a high-risk lifestyle
Common Names Gear Juice Roids Stackers Doping
Anabolic Steroid Abuse Taken orally or injected into muscles Extremely high doses Does not cause a “high” that drives
people to abuse other substances Can lead to addiction Illegal Injection use increases risk of
contracting or transmitting HIV/AIDS or hepatitis
Types of use Cycling – taking doses for a period of
time, stopping for a time, and then restarting
Stacking – combining two or more types of steroids
Pyramiding – slowly increasing the dose or frequency of abuse, reaching a peak amount, and then gradually tapering off
Long-Term Effects
Paranoia Extreme Irritability Delusions – false
beliefs or ideas Impaired judgment Extreme mood
swings – “roid rage” Acne Body swelling
Kidney problems or failure
Liver damage Heart problems Men – shrinking
testicles, decreased sperm count, baldness, breast development
Women – growth of facial hair, male-pattern baldness, deepened voice, changes in menstrual cycle
Short-Term Effects
“ Persistent reports of anabolic steroid use by professional athletes, many of whom are regarded as role models by young people, highlight the fact that we are now facing a very damaging message in our society – that bigger is better, and being the best is more important than how you get there.”
Treatment for Anabolic Steroid Abuse
Supportive therapy for those going through withdrawal
Medications can be prescribed to restore hormonal system, or to treat specific withdrawal symptoms such as antidepressants for depression, and analgesics for headaches and joint pains
Behavioral therapy for severe withdrawal symptoms
What can physicians/sports organizations due to reduce the use of steroids in today’s society?
References National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2016,
March). Anabolic steroids. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/anabolic-steroids
MedlinePlus. (2016, March 9). Anabolic steroids. Retrieved from https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/anabolicsteroids.html
Volcow, D. N. (2006, August). Anabolic steroid abuse. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/anabolic-steroid-abuse/letter-director