Prolonged adverse reactions of steroids in adolescents

Leslie Henderson worries about teenagers. She is troubled because numerous adolescents use anabolic steroids which may be dangerous for them. These drugs may make adolescents aggressive. Furthermore, steroids may affect various systems of consumers. According to Leslie Henderson, the most dangerous aspect connected with application of these drugs by adolescents is following: these preparations influence on the brain negatively. They affect not only functions of the brain; they also change the way it works.
Anabolic steroids have been introduced in order to treat several diseases. These preparations have capacity to induce development of secondary male features in males with delayed puberty. They are capable to prevent muscle loss in persons with HIV/AIDS and other health problems. But these medications are also widely abused. They are taken for increase of muscle mass and strength. When physicians recommend administering steroids to treat certain illnesses, they indicate relatively low quantities that don’t cause dangerous undesirable effects. When these products are applied for performance-enhancing effects, measures are high. But it is important to know that enhanced doses may cause dangerous adverse consequences.
Non-clinical intake of steroids is very dangerous for adolescents. Their systems have not been yet developed. That’s why these drugs may lead to irreversible changes in them. Steroids may affect their physical as well mental health of adolescents. As a result, side consequences of steroids are manifested in them not only during adolescence but also when they grow up. If adult persons abuse steroids, they usually don’t suffer from such long-term grave undesirable effects, as adolescents experience. That’s why Leslie Henderson and other experts note that it is necessary to warn adolescents about negative influence of steroids on them. They should know about all probable dangers. If adolescents know about severe side results of steroids, they will probably discontinue applying these drugs for improvement of physique and performance.

Glucocorticosteroids inhibit androgen receptors

A recent study has showed that glucocorticosteroids promote increasing fat levels. These natural substances have direct influence on androgen receptors that decrease body fat levels.
This study is especially valuable in our era, when numerous persons experience obesity. According to statements of certain specialists, it is necessary to decrease amount of glucocorticosteroids in order to prevent or treat obesity.
When specialists conducted this research, they had the following goal: they attempted to understand ways, causes and stages of development of fat levels. Basing upon results of the research, the scientists have said that androgen receptors should be activated in order to reduce fat accumulation. Thus, obesity could be cured even at the early stages of development.
The androgen testosterone binds itself to androgen receptors. So, androgen receptors become able to manage buildup of muscle mass, enhance hard muscles, etc.
According to the researchers, glucocorticosteroids inhibit activity of androgen receptors. So, they become unable to control buildup of muscle mass and reduction of fat accumulation. That’s why fat deposits increase especially in abdominal area.
The researchers suppose that this study is able to induce elaborating new methods to cure and prevent obesity. The new treatment strategies will be linked with glucocorticosteroids and androgen receptors.

New amendment to British steroid law raises risks linked with side effects in steroid users

British persons are not allowed to buy steroids at online drug stores. Importation of steroids into the UK is considered to be illicit under a new amendment to the steroid law. Those that live in the UK and import steroids into the country are sanctioned by authorities. But British people may freely get, possess and use steroids.
According to the “personal custody”, those who came to London for the 2012 Olympics were allowed to import steroids for personal intake. It was not considered to be criminal under British laws. Nonetheless, those who live inside the UK don’t have any right to buy steroids via internet and import them from other countries to the UK.
Earlier British citizens were allowed to buy steroids from outside the country. The amendment was recommended by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) in order to protect health of those that use steroids. But is the amendment able to do it?
Many underground labs produce anabolic steroids inside the UK. They prosper on account of the amendment. But it is necessary to consider that a lot of underground labs produce fake steroids. Thus, British people have to obtain steroids of low quality because it is forbidden to import steroids that are produced outside the country by trustworthy pharmaceutical companies.
The government warned Needle-Syringe Program (NSP) workers that they would have to work more. It was claimed that the amendment would raise the number of steroid users.
In fact, the amendment is likely to influence on health of steroid users negatively. Steroid-using sportspeople and bodybuilders may get grave unwanted effects because they switch from quality steroids manufactured by trustworthy pharmaceutical companies to worse medicines manufactured by underground labs located in the UK.

Some statements about steroids written in Wikipedia may be wrong

Federal prosecutors don’t possess sufficient knowledge about anabolic steroids, however they pursue those who produce, take and/or distribute these medicines. They don’t study scientific literature about these products. The government uses information that is provided in Wikipedia. Although federal prosecutors speak about undesirable results of steroids, they don’t know about these conditions sufficiently. Citing statements about steroids provided in Wikipedia, they punish users/manufacturers/distributors of these products, affirming that these medications represent evil.
Some important questions appear here: Is it fair to base upon affirmations presented in Wikipedia in such cases? Are these affirmations true? Aren’t they exposed to manipulations? Aren’t they mixed with individual opinions of sponsors?
Maurice Hall, the associate professor of communication and culture at Villanova University, says that it is not reasonable to base entirely upon statements written in Wikipedia. He confirms that Wikipedia serves an excellent guide for footnotes. But statements provided in Wikipedia may be not true entirely.
For example, when John Isaac Hudelson was sentenced to imprisonment, feds based their conclusions linked with illicit operations of this person upon affirmations cited from Wikipedia. Federal prosecutors claimed that Hudelson deserved to serve 47-54 months in prison because he took and distributed steroids. Stephen Greubel, the defense attorney for Hudelson, claimed that 47-54 months in jail were too much for his client. He confirmed that Hudelson distributed steroids, products which differed from such drugs, as amphetamine, methamphetamine, codeine, morphine, etc. The defense attorney for Hudelson noted that steroids didn’t lead to addiction.
Federal prosecutors affirmed that John Isaac Hudelson manufactured, applied and distributed steroids to his friends. They affirmed that while steroids didn’t cause addiction, muscularity could be addictive. Moreover, they added that steroids could cause dangerous negative reactions. All statements of federal prosecutors were based upon those presented in Wikipedia.
Ultimately, the government sent Isaac John Hudelson to 37 months in prison.

Methods to avoid detection while administering steroids

Tyler Hamilton and Daniel Coyle have written a book about application of EPO and anabolic steroids. Recommendations given in the book can serve as a proof that Lance Armstrong applied banned medications. The book has been entitled following: “The Secret Race: Inside the Hidden World of the Tour de France: Doping, Cover-ups, and Winning at all Costs”. The book contains recommendations related to intake of EPO and steroids in cycling and methods to avoid detection. It shows that drug testing is not effective in this sport.
Tyler Hamilton notes that athletes can apply steroids without being caught. He notices that the WADA doesn’t have any possibility to win. Hamilton indicates weakness of the WADA in testing athletes for forbidden products.
According to Hamilton, it is easy to avoid detection while using EPO. It is necessary to utilize the procedure “microdosing”. What does it really mean? Athletes should not introduce 2,000 Units of EPO subcutaneously every 3rd or 4th day. They should inject 400-500 Units of EPO every 3rd or 4th night intravenously. This method is called “microdosing”. Utilizing this way of intake, sportspeople can avoid detection without any essential effort.
Since microdosing is a suitable way to avoid detection while taking EPO, this method must be suitable in case of steroid use too. So, Tyler Hamilton suggests that cyclists and other athletes can avoid detection while using anabolic steroids. He presents guidelines linked with this issue in details in the book.  The author explains how it is possible to hit drug testing of anti-doping system.
Actually, it is unlikely that guidelines provided in Tyler’s book will alter nature of cycling. While elaboration of the biological passport into anti-doping system can’t stop doping, introduction of microdosing into usage of EPO doesn’t mean the new beginning of doping in cycling. Tips of Hamilton may modify only the nature of doping in this sport. Usage of doping products is a part of cycling. Let notice the truth. Like clean sport doesn’t exist at the high level.

Essence of steroids

There are three groups of steroids: corticosteroids, estrogens and progestogens, and anabolic-androgenic steroids.
Nature of corticosteroids is similar to that of hormones secreted in the adrenal cortex. Corticosteroids may be in form of creams, ointment, inhalation products, etc. They are taken to treat inflammations, allergic reactions, problems of respiratory, nervous, musculoskeletal and other systems.
Estrogens and progestogens are female sex hormones. These hormones induce developing female secondary features. Birth control pills contain these substances.
Anabolic-androgenic steroids represent medications that are also widely used in medicine. They can treat certain types of breast cancer, cancer of testicles, anemia, etc. These products are frequently prescribed to receive better and faster recovery after some operations. Burn victims, patients with HIV/AIDS use anabolic-androgenic steroids for prevention of muscle wasting. Several steroids are also taken to cure osteoporosis. These drugs are also applied in case of infertility.
Moreover, anabolic-androgenic steroids are applied for athletic purposes. These medications have ability to create muscles and induce enhancing energy. That’s why a lot of sportspersons and bodybuilders apply them for performance-enhancing effects. Several anabolic-androgenic steroids have also ability to promote burning fat, making muscles defined.
Intake of anabolic-androgenic steroids for non-therapeutic needs is forbidden under laws of certain countries. Those that manufacture, sell, buy and take these drugs illegally may be sentenced to imprisonment and/or fines. These medications belong to illegal preparations in certain countries because they may cause various adverse reactions. While some undesirable results are insignificant and disappear after discontinuation of administration, others are serious and even irreversible. Those who want to acquire positive effects, administering steroids for medical needs, should apply these medicines under guidelines of doctors.

Administration of steroids by cheerleader

When it is said about cheerleaders, we imagine active and slim females. But we have to understand that sometimes the reality differs from our imagination. The cheerleader Anna Watson is an example in this case. She has amazing muscles. But she is very pretty.
A fitness modeling agency offered her a $75000 contract. But she didn’t agree to obtain it. In fact, it is surprisingly because a lot of ladies dream to get such contracts. But she didn’t want to get it because she had to take steroids for this purpose.
When Anna Watson began to study at Hawaii Pacific University, she started weight lifting. She trained hardly and consumed about 3000 calorie per day. Finally she was able to lift 230 pounds. But her weight was not enough to get a modeling fitness contract. However she ate much protein, she could not gain necessary pounds.
A modeling agent claimed that Anavar could help her to add weight. Anna Watson was required to gain 50 pounds in order to obtain the contract. Thus, she started applying the steroid Anavar in order to add body weight. She was eating “forever”, even if she wasn’t’ hungry. Despites of her efforts, diet and intake of Anavar, she was not able to add 50 pounds. The cheerleader got only 10 pounds.
Anna Watson is a religious person. She attends a local church. Ultimately, she decided to ask a weight lifting champion for advice. Hugh Kirby that is also a member of the church has recommended her to be far from usage of steroids. He noted that steroids could lead to different negative effects. This man also noted that steroids could cause infertility. Thus, Hugh Kirby claimed that it would be better to refuse the contract instead of experiencing health troubles, especially infertility.
So, Anna Watson didn’t agree to get the contract. But she decided to continue her workouts. Anna Watson is studying to become a personal trainer.
Actually, the cheerleader made an appropriate decision. It is reasonable to keep female characteristics without a modeling contract instead of having the contract and experiencing signs of masculinization owing to usage of steroids.

Illegal sale of anabolic steroids requires harsh sentencing

Although it is illegal to sell anabolic steroids in some countries, some steroid dealers are not sanctioned appropriately. For example, lately two individuals who sold steroids illegally didn’t go to jail. They were sentenced only to work several hours. Although these individuals advertised and sold steroids per internet, they avoided prison successfully. These persons sold preparations which could destroy health of consumers. That’s why they had to be punished more harshly.
A lot of users of steroids know nothing about risks related to them. They don’t know that administration of steroids may lead to several health problems. It is important to take into account that certain steroids are aromatizable. It means that they may turn into estrogen, increasing levels of this hormone. As a result, male users of such steroids may experience gynecomastia, abnormal fat distribution, water retention, etc. Undoubtedly, gynecomastia is very unpleasant effect for men. Sometimes it can’t be cured with drugs. Thus, it may require a surgery.
Certain steroids are dangerous for women. They may lead to effects of maculinization in them. Thus, several women that apply androgenic steroids have deep voice, hirsutism, male-pattern baldness, menstrual irregularities, infertility, etc.
Many steroids may influence on liver negatively. They may cause liver dysfunctions. If anyone has had liver troubles before intake of steroids, these drugs may lead to severer complications.
Nonetheless, nobody can doubt about positive effects that can be gotten owing to usage of steroids. These products promote creating new muscle tissues. They also increase existing muscles. Moreover, these products help to gain strength. Some steroids promote fat burning, making muscle harder.
Although potential positive effects of steroids are amazing, it is necessary to consider probable unwanted results. It is confirmed that steroids may cause depression and uncontrolled aggressiveness. So, several consumers of these drugs commit different crimes. While some users may commit suicides, others violate, murder other individuals.
Steroids may cause also other unwanted results that are not noted in the article. People should be aware of what they apply. Those who distribute these drugs illegally should be punished appropriately.

Steroids play great role in football games

A lot of articles note about application of steroids in baseball. Sportswriters and journalists describe steroid scandals that take place in this sport. It is widely discussed about steroid era in baseball. MLB players are required to submit to numerous drug tests. It seems that each individual interested in sports demonizes baseball players for application of performance-enhancing drugs. Do only baseball players apply steroids and other related preparations? What do you believe about football players? Do they dope? Why do we demonize just baseball players for application of forbidden products?
Administration of doping products is widespread in football. Since 1960s intake of performance-enhancing drugs has a significant role in this sport. It is hard to imagine football without usage of steroids and other related drugs.
Strength and size are substantial aspects in football. Several individuals believe that football players possess great strength just because of intensive workouts and appropriate nutrition. But it is wrong. Numerous football players administer forbidden medications in order to get strength and enhance muscle size.
As you see, usage of banned medications is widespread in football. Nevertheless, baseball players are more harshly blamed for usage of steroids and other related medications. Such baseball players, as Jose Canseco, Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds were exposed to public shame on account of steroid use. But such football players, as Lyle Alzado, Shawne Merriman, Chris Cooper and Thomas Romanowski, also applied forbidden substances. Nonetheless, they were not so widely blamed, as dopers in baseball.
Moreover, it is necessary to consider that usage of steroids is related to more risks in football.
It is claimed that football is unlikely to be free from doping.

Anabolic steroids may be dangerous for teens

Teens’ addiction to anabolic steroids becomes a great problem nowadays. Why do teens take these medicines? They do it in order to increase their muscles, lower fat deposits and make muscles defined. They desire to make their bodies more attractive. Actually, adolescents take these drugs because they want to look like models, sports figures and heroes. Since adolescents desire to be celebrated so, as well-known sportspersons are, they try to improve their physique and performance with anabolic steroids.
But teens don’t take into account some important factors under this circumstance. Firstly, professional athletes and bodybuilders ask physicians for guidelines. Thus, health care providers explain how they should take steroids. That’s why application of anabolic steroids by famous sportspeople is relatively safe. When it comes to teenagers, they don’t know what they take; they don’t know how steroids should be applied. Secondly, the process of development is not over in teens. That’s why steroids may be unsafe for them. Anabolic steroids may damage functions of reproductive, cardiovascular and other systems in teens.
Unluckily, a lot of teens administer anabolic steroids. Certain surveys of the Michigan University display that the number of steroid users in high schools continues to grow.
Moreover, it is not a problem to get these medications. High schools students obtain steroids without substantial efforts.
As a result, some adolescents become addicted to steroids. While some adolescents try to cease administering these products, they can’t do it. In fact, it is quite difficult to escape from this addiction. Addicted consumers of steroids can’t stop using these preparations without help of high-qualified specialists. They must stay in special centers of rehabilitation where well-trained experts help them to escape from the addiction.
It is necessary to teach teens about dangers connected with anabolic steroids. Teens should know not only about positive effects of these substances. They should be educated also about adverse effects of these drugs. If schoolchildren and high school students are not educated about dark sides of steroids, they will take these medicines. Finally, their systems will be destructed. If the society doesn’t care about adolescents, they will have numerous health troubles.

Great efforts of anti-doping officers

While athletes that dope find new methods to avoid detection, anti-doping officers elaborate new techniques in order to catch those that use forbidden medications. One of new techniques introduced into anti-doping system is biological passport. It helps to determine whether a sportsperson has used any prohibited preparation. The biological passport measures certain biomarkers which can indicate whether a person has taken certain drugs. Thus, it can measure hemoglobin levels. Unexplained decreased or enhanced hemoglobin levels may indicate doping. So, the biological passport determines physical changes that play significant role in detection.
It is obvious that anti-doping system becomes more sophisticated. It creates new methods to catch dopers and clean sports.
If you compare drug tests which have been utilized earlier with those which are applied nowadays, you can understand that the difference is great. Anti-doping efforts are essential. Drug testing becomes more advanced.
It was also elaborated a test for detection of CERA. This preparation was initially developed in order to cure anemia connected with kidney disorders. Since earlier there was not any drug test that could determine metabolites of this substance, Rashid Ramzi of Bahrain avoided detection at the Beijing Olympics. Recently his sample was re-analyzed. Anti-doping officials defined that this sportsman had taken CERA. As a result, Rashid Ramzi forfeited his awards.
Earlier it was hard and even quite impossible to catch those that applied HGH. Lately a blood test for this medication was also created.
Another new drug test, known as Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry, was also lately elaborated. This test helps to set whether testosterone has been taken from outsides or it has been produced in the body naturally.
Thus, anti-doping system is more progressive today. Anti-doping agencies suggest that they will be able to make sports free from administration of doping products.

It would be better to end war on doping

Lance Armstrong never failed a drug test. But the athlete was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles because the USADA claimed that he had doped.
You can notice that application of forbidden medicines is considered to be an ultimate sin of professional athletes. They are suspended, if they are found guilty or only accused of doping.
For example, the British runner Dwain Chambers was banned because he tested positive for tetrahydrogestrinone. This sportsperson confirmed that he was not the only Olympic  sprinter who applied steroids. According to his statements, many runners of the US racing team administered forbidden substances.
Certain individuals are probably bothered by reading articles about war on intake of banned products in sports. It seems that the fight never ends. However anti-doping agencies put unbelievable efforts in order to eradicate doping from competitive sports, numerous sportspersons continue administering forbidden medications. It is impossible to confront doping. It seems that it is better to legalize usage of doping products. Let sportspersons take whatever they desire!
Athletes break more breathtaking records from one year to another. It will be needed to measure thousandths of a second in order to set who the winner is. It seems that it will be impossible to notice with a naked eye the fastest runners. That’s why several specialists fear that it will be too difficult to keep sports interesting.
Certain specialists see that anti-doping systems fail. Sportspersons that have never tested positive for any banned medicine are suspended. Drug tests can’t induce catching those that take steroids and/or other performance-enhancing drugs.
Doping plays a great role in sports. Almost every winner of Tour de France has been involved in a doping case.
The society has great expectations. Sportspersons should push their bodies till the limits in order to win. They have to use steroids and/or other performance-enhancing drugs in order to keep their reputations and not disappoint fans. The society should be demonized for athletes’ doping. Not only athletes should be blamed for intake of prohibited products. The society makes such culture where sportspersons can’t be at the top without administration of certain medications. That’s why it is necessary to stop demonizing athletes. It is better to permit doping in sports. Each sport must compose own list of banned drugs. Only substances that are harmful to certain sport itself must be banned. Let take the sport of boxing as an example. This sport should ban just those substances that remove fear because removing of fear in this sport is against its nature.

Public fight against doping leads to higher number of steroid users

One may believe that steroid scandals must have negative influence on pharmaceutical companies that produce these products. But manufacturers of these preparations find methods to take advantages of various steroid scandals. So, pharmaceutical companies use them in order to advertise own preparations.
Let take as an example the governmental case against Barry Bonds. However one may suppose that this steroid scandal must suppress purchase of certain preparations, the reality has manifested opposite things. The pharmaceutical company Abbott Laboratories could take advantage of the case. The company found many possibilities to advertise transdermal testosterone because of the accusations related to Barry Bonds’ doping.
It was said that the former MLB player Barry Bonds utilized the transdermal testosterone product “AndroGel”. Undoubtedly, numerous sportswriters published articles about this case. The pharmaceutical company Abbott Laboratories used this public situation and began to advertise this product. Numerous Barry Bonds’ fans started purchasing and administering this gel. This situation influenced on profits of Abbot Laboratories significantly. According to certain sources, the profits of the company turned out to be great.
Testosterone products are widely prescribed and used. A lot of individuals administer them for hormone replacement therapy. The number of steroid prescriptions has enhanced by 90 % during last five years. So, the number of those that take steroids is growing.
Abbott Laboratories manufactures and sells the testosterone product “AndroGel”. Since other companies noticed that testosterone gel was in high demand, they also started to produce it. So, such preparations, as  AndroDream and Axiron, appeared. While AndroDream is offered for sale by Watson Pharmaceuticals, Axiron is offered for sale by Eli Lilly.
Pharmaceutical companies advertise their medications. They claim that steroids have positive influence on males’ health. Of course, any company comprehends that since a lot of men have insufficient secretion of testosterone and since these drugs are administered for enhancement of muscles and energy, the number of potential customers is great.

Daily usage of inhaled steroids in case of asthma

Inhaled steroids are medicines that are applied in case of asthma by children and grown-ups. Individuals that suffer from mild, moderate and severe asthma use these preparations every day. These medications prevent inflammation of the airways. Health care providers supervise persons with this disease, regulating dosage schedule every 6 weeks.
Unfortunately, inhaled steroids, like other medicines, may cause unwanted effects. Regular administration of these products is associated with some risks. Is there any method for individuals with asthma to prevent these problems?
A recent study has demonstrated that physicians should not recommend using these preparations daily to individuals with mild-to-moderate asthma. This research turned out to be very valuable. It is likely to alter indications related to treatment of asthma.
The study was conducted by scientists of the Texas Medical Brach in Galveston. The doctor William Calhoun and his colleagues enrolled 340 persons with asthma in the study. Several persons received inhaled corticosteroids every day; others applied these medications, when symptoms of asthma attacks appeared. Bronchial reactivity and functions of lungs were measured by the scientists during nine months. The results of the study demonstrated that there was not any essential difference between these two groups.
According to the specialists, if inhaled corticosteroids are used, when symptoms appear, exacerbation can be prevented. Moreover, these medications have prolonged action. It means that benefits are felt even several days after administration. The specialists suggest that these products may be taken by persons with mild-to-moderate asthma only when symptoms appear.
Why is this research valuable? According to certain sources, 25 million Americans suffer from asthma. Undoubtedly, they should be treated. This piece of news must be valuable for them. Moreover, if inhaled corticosteroids are used prolonged time, they may lead to serious unwanted consequences, such as hormonal imbalance, cataract, etc. So, if individuals that experience mild-to-moderate asthma don’t take these products each day, they are more unlikely to get these undesirable consequences.
Undoubtedly, it is early to modify indications related to treatment of asthma. But this research may induce conducting further researches which may lead to several changes.