Steroids

By Steve Edwards

What are steroids• Anabolic steroids, or anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS), are a

class of steroid hormones that are related to the hormone testosterone. They increase the amount of protein synthesis that lies within the cells, which then results in the buildup of cellular tissue, especially in muscle.

How are Steroids taken?• Most steroid programs involve 300 to more than 1,000 milligrams

per week in pills, creams, or injectable forms. Anabolic steroids can be taken orally, injected intramuscularly, or rubbed on the skin in the form of gels or creams as just mentioned. These drugs are often used in patterns which are listed below

• Cycling involves taking high doses of steroids for several weeks to several months, then discontinuing use of the steroids for as many weeks or months.

• Stacking involves using two or more different steroids or combining oral and injectable steroids in the belief that the drugs will interact to produce better results.

• Pyramiding involves beginning a cycle with a lower dose of steroids, gradually increasing the dose over time to a peak level, then gradually decreasing the dose down to zero again.

How does steroids affect the human body?

• Effects of Anabolic Steroid Abuse in Men

• infertility • breast development • shrinking of the testicles • male-pattern baldness • severe acne and cysts

• Effects of Anabolic Steroid Abuse in Women

• Deeper voice • enlargement of the clitoris • excessive growth of body hair • male-pattern baldness • severe acne and cysts

• Other Effects of Anabolic Steroid Abuse

• delayed growth in adolescents • tendon rupture • increased LDL cholesterol • decreased HDL cholesterol • high blood pressure • heart attacks • enlargement of the heart's left ventricle • cancer • jaundice • fluid retention • HIV/AIDS • hepatitis • "roid rage" - rage and aggression • mania • delusions

Why are steroids used by athletes to enhance performance?

The main reason for the widespread use of anabolic steroids among athletes is simply to improve athletic performance in the physical activity they chooses to engage in. Although testing procedures are now widely used to identify steroid abuse among athletes, new designer drugs are being made specifically to avoid detection. But the technology is constantly catching up with the cheaters and blood and urine samples from years earlier are being re-tested with new science and exposing athletes who used illegal substances in the past.

Which sports is steroids most commonly used?

Some of the most common sports that steroids are used in are:• Weight lifting• Baseball• Cycling• Tennis• NFL Football• Athletics

• Marion Jones, Barry Bonds, Alberto Blanco, Floyd Landis, Lyle Alzado & Dean Capobianco are just a few names that are associated with these sports.

What are the side affects/dangers associated with using this

substance/method?• As mentioned before, steroids can have many influences on the

human body. But what some people don’t relies is that steroids have a large influence in other peoples lives. ‘roid rage’ is a term that is referred to when a steroid user begins to become more aggressive, this happens to 1 in 5 users of steroids. Anabolic steroids also cause many different types of problems. The less serious side effects include acne, purple or red spots on the body, swelling of legs and feet, persistent bad breath, and less commonly jaundice, or yellowing of the skin. Other side effects are: premature balding, dizziness, mood swings, including anger, aggression, and depression, nausea, vomiting, trembling, high blood pressure that can damage the heart or blood vessel, aching joints, greater chance of injuring muscles, liver damage & shortening of final adult height

Questions

• 1. Define the term Cycling• 2. What are 3 effects of anabolic steroid abuse in men• 3. Give examples of sports that steroids are used in