Anabolic Steroids for BodyBuilding

Anabolic steroids are a synthetic drug which imitates the effects of the male sex hormone testosterone. Anabolic steroids are often prescribed to men with abnormally low testosterone levels, or to men with anemia.
Steroid Abuse

While steroids may be legitimately prescribed by a physician, they are often used illegally by individuals seeking to build muscle mass. In recent years, professional athletes in baseball, football, and other sports have been implicated in the illegal use of steroids, leading to Congressional investigations into the practice.

The documentary Bigger, Stronger, Faster examines the prevalent use of steroids and performance enhancing drugs in the bodybuilding community. Cultural icons such as Hulk Hogan and Arnold Schwarzenegger are examined for the legal handling of their steroid use.
Adverse Effects

The use of steroids can have severe and debilitating long-term effects on the body. Steroids can damage internal organs such as the liver and heart, can create abrupt mood changes, and in teenagers, can permanently stunt growth.

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The human body under natural conditions is designed for conserving energy. It is continually attempting to shed muscle and gain fat except where survival comes into play. If the human body deems that more muscle is needed for survival and there is sufficient nutrition to support this muscle growth it will allow muscle growth while it evaluates the situation, but there will always be a force in the direction of less muscle and more fat.

This is why if you don’t exercise you will lose muscle and gain fat. The human body was designed for hard times not for eating all the time and watching TV.

Building Muscle

There are three things needed to build muscle and these are: sufficient nutrition, testosterone, and resistive training.

Although all three of these are equally important for muscle growth, usually only nutrition and the amount of resistive training can be increased. Once the maximum amount of muscle has been developed for the amount of testosterone naturally occurring in our bodies has been reached that’s as far as we can go.

Many body builders have increased the amount of testosterone in their bodies by using anabolic steroids. This is not only against the law in the United States but is also very damaging to your health with no long term beneficial effects.

Oral Anabolic Steroids

Oral steroids are extremely toxic to the liver. This damage can present itself many years after discontinued use. Oral steroids also tend to produce greater androgenic effects such as aggression than injectable steroids. This increased aggression can easily turn into what’s called roid rage that has cause many body builders to do things they regret doing.

Injectable Anabolic Steroids

Injectable steroids are not as toxic to the liver as oral steroids. Injectable steroids are injected into a major muscle which allows a slow release into the blood stream. But the huge amounts of liquid that need to be injected as the body becomes accustomed to the increased testosterone can damage muscle tissue causing scarring and impurities can cause intramuscular infections even years later.

Sexual Dysfunction

The first thing the body does in reaction to the increased level of testosterone brought on by the use of anabolic steroids is to shut down its own testosterone production. This is usually not a problem at the beginning of a cycle because the level of testosterone in the body is increasing.

A cycle of increasing the dose of steroids for so many weeks then decreasing and discontinuing the dose for so many weeks is normally followed to counteract the body’s ability to adjust to the new levels of testosterone thereby increasing the effect of the steroids.

It’s on the down turn that many body builders will find themselves with the masculinity of a prepubescent girl. This can be devastating emotionally.

This is also why teenagers should never use anabolic steroids. Males in their teenage years are naturally producing enough testosterone to handle any muscle growth they could acquire at that age. To shut down their natural production of testosterone by introducing anabolic steroids would do more harm than good.

No Lasting Benefits

Once the use of anabolic steroids is discontinued all the muscle mass that was gained from the use of the steroids is lost.

Damage to Your Body

The pancreas …

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Every now and then we hear of athletes taking steroids to pump up their muscles to gain a little advantage over their opponents. In the last decade, we have learned a lot about the dangers of taking synthetic anabolic androgenic steroids. We have heard about famous people losing their lives due to the use of these synthetic hormones. Anabolic androgenic steroids were first isolated in the 1930s, and they were commonly used during the 1950s and 1960s.

Anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) and testosterone are almost synonymous; testosterone is produced naturally by the body. AAS is the synthetic form of testosterone. Males produce testosterone in their testes, and females produce a lesser amount of testosterone in their ovaries. Both males and females produce a small amount of testosterone in their adrenal glands. A good way to deliver these steroids to your muscles is to lift weights.

Testosterone, in males, is what makes men virile. Males with adequate testosterone have a healthy sex drive. Testosterone in women is needed for the growth of muscles. We produce it in smaller amounts than men. Testosterone is known as a male hormone, but both men and women depend on testosterone for our sex drives.

Testosterone is responsible for the male’s primary and secondary sex characteristics, such as pubic, and body hair, growth of vocal cords to deepen the voice, and the development of the sexual organs. By lifting weights you cause your muscles to get larger. A bit of biochemistry, called anabolism, occurs to develop bigger muscles. Testosterone, which is a natural anabolic androgenic steroid, attaches to a specific protein molecule in your DNA. Ligands are the binding molecules that attach the steroid to the DNA. When this happens, it is like flipping a switch. Muscles grow and develop when you strength train with weights in the gym, due to the biochemistry that takes place.

By producing these steroids naturally with muscle building exercise you do not disturb your body’s homeostasis; however, if you were to administer synthetic anabolic androgenic steroids for the purpose of pumping up your muscles, you would very likely upset your body’s homeostatic balance. Synthetic testosterone is used in medicine to treat certain conditions that cause a wasting away of the muscles, such as cancer and AIDS. These same steroids are illegally used by teenagers and adults who want to look a certain way.

The abuse of AAS can cause something known as “roid rage.” Roid rage happens to people who over react and become violent over nothing. Every now and then I hear on the news about someone who became violent due to roid rage. It could happen to you. You might say something harmless, and a person on a heavy dose of anabolic steroids might overreact, take offense and become violent with you.

The side effects of using synthetic anabolic androgenic steroids include high blood pressure, flushing, anger, aggression, gynecomastia in men, testicles that have decreased in size, cardiovascular disease, bone loss, edema due to water retention, and a moon shaped face, to name a few.…

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Doctors sometimes prescribe an epidural steroid injection as a conservative treatment for back pain. If your doctor has recommended that you have this treatment, you may have a few questions and concerns. Will it hurt? Is it scary? Do I need iv sedation? Will it help? How long will it last?

In this article, I hope to answer these questions and describe the process from a first-hand patient’s perspective. I have had multiple steroid injections in an effort to relieve L5/S1 lumbar spine pain caused by degenerative disc disease and disc herniation.

Only your doctor can prescribe this treatment and it may not be suitable for everyone.

What Can I Expect During the Procedure?

A doctor performs the injection in a sterile environment as an outpatient procedure. It may take place in a hospital or a clinic. A nurse assists the doctor by running the fluoroscope and making sure that you are comfortable. The procedure only lasts about 10 to 15 minutes. Your time spent in the waiting room is often longer!

The fluoroscope is a special type of x-ray that the doctor uses to position the needle correctly. It does not hurt. You should be able to see a small computer monitor which shows you the fluoroscope image of your back during your procedure. I even asked my doctor for a printout of my spine for my records.

You will need to change into a gown so the doctor can reach the correct area of your back. Once in the fluoroscope room, you will lay face down on a table on your stomach. There may be special armrests above your head that you can grasp. (Grasping them seems to keep your nerves at bay while keeping your arms free from your back area.)

The doctor will most likely chat with you while preparing the medications to be injected into your back.

Will the Epidural Steroid Injection Hurt?

No, because the doctor will first administer a local anesthetic such as lidocaine. The anesthetic will sting and burn but the sensation is over quickly. For me, it felt much like a bee sting. Depending on your pain tolerance, you may feel more or less pain but it does not last.

Once the area is numbed, the doctor will use the fluoroscope in order to administer the steroid medication in just the right place. This process does not hurt although it may feel a bit strange. I felt some pressure sensations and tingling in the lower back and buttock. It is a very quick process. The nurse will check the area, apply a Band-Aid, and send you on your way with information on potential side effects.

Potential side effects are rare but you will be instructed to watch for fever, redness, or bleeding.

You will need someone to drive you home after the procedure.

Should I Have IV Sedation?

If you’re very nervous about the procedure you should talk to your doctor. Some patients do require IV sedation for this minor procedure. If you do need IV sedation, the whole process will take longer and you must have someone drive you home.

I believe it is normal to have some nervousness before having this procedure. However, it is a tolerable procedure and, in my opinion, hurts less than some dental procedures.…

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What Really Happens when You Use Performance Enhancing Drugs

Steroids have been an issue within all facets of sport for seemingly the past twenty years and not only until recently had the threat of these drugs been taken into full account. These drugs not only hurt the integrity of the game or sport that an athlete may be involved with but, most of all, it hurts the athlete who is taking the steroid through emotional, physical and psychological pain. Many of these sometimes tragic stories are forgotten or pushed aside as society becomes more concerned about the image of the sport rather than the well being of the athlete who in some cases has been coached or coerced into taking these substances. This issue needs to be brought to the forefront when talking about steroid use because these are lives of people that are being affected and in some cases these people are never able to recover from the damaging consequences from taking such drugs. The effect on the overall sport is also a serious issue but when it comes to peoples lives nothing should be more important and within society today that has been the attitude most have adopted, that the sport is the one that needs to be saved not the athletes.

Steroids and performance-enhancing drugs have been running rampant through sport. Most of these athletes that have been caught or assumed guilty of taking these drugs have been outlawed and frowned upon within society whether it is deserved or not. What society fails to see is that at one time it was viewed as almost acceptable for athletes to take these substances to provide the fan with the best possible experience. The athletes too, are viewed as the bad guys of the sporting world but maybe rather than being the bad guys they are actually the victims of a society that forced them to risk everything and then came down on them when it was viewed as unacceptable. Most media tend to focus on the side of the steroids and not so much on the effects that these drugs have on the individuals who take these substances.

It will begin by focusing on the issue of steroids and substance abuse within sports and the controversy that that has developed from that. Once that has been laid out the role steroids play in the lives of athletes now and during the time in which they were abusing those substances will be looked at. As well, trying to portray the role in which society has played in promoting and encouraging these athletes to resort to these substances.

Definition of Terms

Anabolic Steroids
– is a class of steroids that are related to the hormone testosterone. These steroids build up cellular tissue within the muscles.

HGH – Form of steroid also known as Human Growth Hormone

THG – Tetrahydrogestrinone is a designer steroid, also known as synthetic testosterone

The Mitchell Report – A study conducted by both the MLB and federal government to determine use of steroids within baseball

Literature Review

The literature review will examine the four areas related to steroids and athletes and they are as follows: Types of Steroids, Major Health Effects, Steroids in Sport, Public Image.

Types of Steroids

There are many kinds of steroids …

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Running is one of the best forms of exercise; but runners who run long distances are susceptible to a condition called Achilles tendinopathy – a painful condition that makes it difficult to run or even go up and down the stairs without discomfort. The large Achilles tendon that extends from the heel to the muscles of the calf undergoes a great deal of stress during the repetitive leg movements associated with running – and it isn’t surprising that they can become injured.

What Causes Achilles Tendinopathy?

Achilles tendinopathy was once believed to be an inflammatory condition, but it’s now thought to be more of a degenerative type injury that comes from overuse. Runners usually develop this problem when they try to run too far too quickly or when they undergo a sudden change in their routine such as running up hills or doing fast sprints. Achilles tendinopathy is also more common in people who roll their foot when they run – a condition known as overpronation. Running in a shoe that doesn’t fit properly or doesn’t provide proper support can also contribute to problems with the Achille’s tendon.

What are the Symptoms of Achilles Tendinopathy?

The cardinal symptom of Achilles tendinopathy is pain and stiffness along the lower portion of the calf and the back of the heel which gradually worsens. Initially the pain may be mild and intermittent, but it usually becomes constant after a while. There may also be tenderness when pressing on the lower portion of the calf muscle or heel.

Achilles Tendinopathy Treatment

The most important treatment for Achilles tendinopathy is rest. If the Achilles tendon continues to be stressed by activity, there’s the risk that it will rupture. It’s best to switch over to a non-weight bearing exercise such as swimming until healing occurs. Anti-inflammatory medications may be needed to relieve the pain.

Achilles Tendinopathy Treatment: Should You Get a Steroid Injection?

Because treatment for Achilles tendinopathy is limited and healing can be slow, some runners opt for a steroid injection into the tendon to reduce the pain. A steroid injection for Achilles tendinopathy isn’t a good idea. Not only do studies show that it doesn’t work, but it can increase the risk of tendon rupture which often necessitates surgery to repair.

Other Treatment for Achille’s Tendinopathy

A better option for Achilles tendon injuries that are slow to heal is to do eccentric muscle exercises under the care of a physical therapist. These are exercises that combine stretching and muscle contraction. Stretching exercises, ultrasound, and, in some cases, immobilizing the calf for a short period may also be helpful. Ice can be used to decrease pain and swelling. These are all safer options than a steroid injection.

Treatment for Achilles Tendinopathy: The Bottom Line

Don’t be tempted to use the short-term fix of a steroid injection to treat Achilles tendinopathy. It could lead to a ruptured tendon that requires surgery. Stick with more conservative therapies such as stretching and eccentric exercises – and add a dose of patience. Achilles tendinopathy can be slow to heal.…

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Years ago when I first started steroid therapy, the weight crept on pretty quickly. I was not doing anything different and I live a healthy lifestyle, so this was certainly something I wanted to figure out and get on top of. The good news is that I figured out some things to do to keep the weight gain with corticosteroids to a minimum.

Skip the Sugar

First, corticosteroids can increase blood sugar levels so it is important to be careful with the amount of sugar we are consuming when taking this type of drug. Next, when foods have added sugar, they also tend to pack far more calories. For example, grabbing a sugar-free fudge pop will save us 110 calories versus grabbing one with sugar. The same goes for our coffee. I personally drink a lot of coffee and have been using artificial sweetener for as long as I can remember. However, if I was using regular sugar in each cup, I would be adding 15 to 30 calories to each cup of coffee. If you are drinking two to three cups a day, seven days a week, switching to an artificial sweetener saves a lot of calories.

Check Your Mayo

I am a big fan of mayo, especially on turkey sandwiches. However, a serving of mayo is about 100 calories. Switching to light mayo will save us about 50 calories. If we switch to mustard, we save 100 calories because mustard has no calories.

Kick Soda to the Curb

Regular soda has about 150 calories per can. Diet soda has none. If you want to avoid soda altogether, you can opt for sparkling water and put some fruit in this for flavor. I personally like plain water and unsweetened teas. You can jazz these up too with fruit for each of these, or just add some sweetener to iced tea.

Pump It Up

I have always exercised, but I knew that once I started on the steroids that I would need to do more to keep the pounds off. I went from about 45 minutes a day to two 45-minute sessions. Now before increasing your exercising or changing the type that you do, talk to your doctor. My doctor said no running, so I had to find other things to do for cardio, but I had no other restrictions.

How Well Do These Changes Work?

Well, this will likely depend on the person. For me, they saved me from gaining a lot of weight. Between these dietary changes and upping my exercise routine, I was able to keep the weight gain to seven pounds, verses about 75 from the first time around.…

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