Saturday, September 23, 2006
Physical Side Effects of Steroids
Anabolic steroids are used to usually used to enhance athletic performance. The problems begin when steroids are abused. Many times athletes and bodybuilders take an overabundance of steroids, sometimes up to 40 times the recommended usage. The reason for steroid abuse is the effectiveness of stacking. Stacking steroids has a synergistic effect, meaning that each dosage magnifies the last dosage's effect. For example, one dosage may add ten pounds of muscle mass, but taking two dosages together may add 30-40 pounds of muscle instead of twenty.
Unfortunately, abusing steroids has many negative effects. The phrase, "less is more," is absolutely true. Side effects can include: liver damage, damage to the cardiovascular system, and psychological effects. There are many ways excessive steroid use can damage the liver. Decreased hepatic excretory function (the liver's way of getting rid of toxins) can occur. Intra-hepatic cholestasis (severe itching without any lesions of the skin), jaundice (a yellowing of the skin), hepatic peliosis (bleeding and enzyme leakage of the liver), and tumors that can lead to hepatic carcinoma (tumors in the lining of the liver).
Damage to the cardiovascular system from abuse of steroids mostly involves an increased risk of heart disease. Cardiovascular issues can include: an increase in total cholesterol levels, a decrease in lipoprotein lipase (an enzyme that breaks down fats) levels, an increase in diastolic blood pressure, structural changes in the heart, decreased ischemic tolerance (inadequate blood flow), cardiomyopathy (weakness of the heart), myocardial infarction (heart attacks), and cerebrovascular accidents (problems with blood vessels in the brain).
Abuse of anabolic steroids can have many psychological effects as well. Testosterone levels can increase in the blood causing, aggressiveness and increased sexual desire. The increased aggressiveness can cause overt violence and behavior changes including violent criminal behavior. Other side effects can include: euphoria, dependency, confusion, mental depression, sleeping disorders, suicidal thoughts, mood changes, pathological anxiety, paranoia, and hallucinations.
Unfortunately, abusing steroids has many negative effects. The phrase, "less is more," is absolutely true. Side effects can include: liver damage, damage to the cardiovascular system, and psychological effects. There are many ways excessive steroid use can damage the liver. Decreased hepatic excretory function (the liver's way of getting rid of toxins) can occur. Intra-hepatic cholestasis (severe itching without any lesions of the skin), jaundice (a yellowing of the skin), hepatic peliosis (bleeding and enzyme leakage of the liver), and tumors that can lead to hepatic carcinoma (tumors in the lining of the liver).
Damage to the cardiovascular system from abuse of steroids mostly involves an increased risk of heart disease. Cardiovascular issues can include: an increase in total cholesterol levels, a decrease in lipoprotein lipase (an enzyme that breaks down fats) levels, an increase in diastolic blood pressure, structural changes in the heart, decreased ischemic tolerance (inadequate blood flow), cardiomyopathy (weakness of the heart), myocardial infarction (heart attacks), and cerebrovascular accidents (problems with blood vessels in the brain).
Abuse of anabolic steroids can have many psychological effects as well. Testosterone levels can increase in the blood causing, aggressiveness and increased sexual desire. The increased aggressiveness can cause overt violence and behavior changes including violent criminal behavior. Other side effects can include: euphoria, dependency, confusion, mental depression, sleeping disorders, suicidal thoughts, mood changes, pathological anxiety, paranoia, and hallucinations.
