1. What are steroids?
Steroids are a man made version of hormones normally produced by the adrenal glands which are 2 small glands found above the kidneys.
2. How do they work?
Steroids reduce redness and swelling (inflammation). Steroids also reduce the activity of the immune system, which is the body's natural defence against illness and infection. Steroids can be used to treat a wide range of conditions, including:
· Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
· Hay fever
· Severe hives
· Eczema
· Painful joints or muscles – such as arthritis, tennis elbow and frozen shoulder
· Sciatica
· Inflammatory bowel disease – such as Crohn's disease
· Lupus,Rheumatoid Arthritis
· Multiple sclerosis(MS)
3. Are there different type of steroids?
Mainly two types:- Corticosteroids and Anabolic steroids
Steroids come in many different forms.
· Tablets and liquids – Prednisolone
· Inhalers –Beclometasone and Fluticasone
· Nasal sprays –Beclometasone and Fluticasone
· Injections (given into joints, muscles or blood vessels) –Methylprednisolone
· Creams, lotions and gels – Hydrocortisone skin cream
4. Steroid for muscle building
They are controlled substances that people abuse in high doses to boost their athletic performance. Anabolic steroids are not the same as steroid medications, such as prednisone, hydrocortisone.
Anabolic means body building tissue. Anabolic steroids help build muscle tissue and increase body mass by acting like the body's natural male hormone, testosterone. However, steroids cannot improve an athlete's agility or skill. Many factors determine athletic ability, including genetics, body size, age, sex, diet and how hard the athlete trains.
Anabolic steroids are a chemical derivative of testosterone, the "male sex hormone" Examples: Growth Hormone, Creatine (stimulant ephedra), Testosterone
Side Effects
·Blood: Increase in Bad cholesterol (LDL)associated with coronary heart disease, obstructed blood vessels, or stroke
·Heart : Increased blood pressure and altered Rhythm
·Liver: Impaired liver function, hepatitis and Tumors
·Skeleton: Avascular necrosis (AVN), Stunted growth, caused by premature closing growth plates in adolescents and Increased rate of muscle strains/ruptures
·Skin: Acne, Male pattern baldness, water retention, stretch marks
·Immune System: Hep B or Hep C, HIV infection (if needles are shared)
·Psychological: Mood swings, Aggressive, even violent behavior, Depression, Psychotic episodes and Addiction
·Reproductive system: Because anabolic steroids are derived from testosterone, they can have profound effects on the hormone levels of both male and female abusers.
Problems in men:- Temporary infertility or sterility (reversible)- Altered sex drive- Prostate enlargement, and increased prostate cancer risk- Irreversible breast enlargement- Painful erections- Shrinkage of the testicles- Reduced levels of testosterone- Abnormal sperm production- Increased levels of estrogen
Problems in women:- Increased risk of cervical and endometrial cancer- Increased risk of osteoporosis- Temporary infertility or sterility (reversible)- Altered sex drive- Birth defects in future children- Changes in fat distribution- Growth of facial and body hair- Deepening of the voice- Shrinkage of the breasts and uterus- Clitoral enlargement- Menstrual irregularity Changes in the male reproductive system are often reversible, if anabolic steroids have not been abused for a long period of time. Unfortunately, some of the changes in women are NOT reversible.
Side effects of taking un-prescribed steroids
Tablets:- Indigestion or heartburn, increased appetite, which could lead to weight gain- Difficulty sleeping, changes in mood and behaviour, such as feeling irritable or anxious- An increased risk of infections especially chickenpox, shingles and measles- High blood sugar or diabetes- Weakening of the bones (osteoporosis)- High blood pressure- Cushing's syndrome – which can cause symptoms such as thin skin that bruises easily, a build-up of fat on the neck and shoulders and a red, puffy, rounded face- Eye conditions, such as glaucoma and cataracts- Mental health problems, such as depression or suicidal thoughts
Inhaler: Sore mouth or throat, hoarse or croaky voice, a cough and oral thrush –a fungal infection nasal spray:- Burning sensation in the nose, dryness and crustiness in the nose- a dry, irritated throat, an unpleasant taste in the mouth- itchiness, redness and swelling in the nose- nose bleeds Injection:- Pain and discomfort for a few days- Temporary bruising or a collection of blood under the skin- Flushing of the face for a few hours- Changes to your vision such as blurred vision - Infection- Loss of fat where the injection was given – this can cause dimples in the skin and may be permanent- Paler skin around the site of the injection – this may be permanent If you have diabetes, your blood sugar level may go up for a few days. If you have high blood pressure, your blood pressure may go up for a few days.
Topical:- Worsening or spreading of a skin infection you already have- Inflamed hair follicles (folliculitis)- Thinning of the skin, which can make the affected skin more vulnerable to damage; for example, you may bruise more easily- Stretch marks, which are likely to be permanent, although they'll probably become less noticeable over time- Contact dermatitis, which is a skin irritation caused by a mild allergic reaction to the substances in a particular topical corticosteroid- Acne, or worsening of acne- Rosacea, which is a condition that causes the face to become red and flushed- Changes in skin colour – this is usually more noticeable in people with dark skin- Excessive hair growth on the area of skin being treated
The aim of this article was to inform about the upsides as well as the downsides of using steroid in any form. If used judiciously when indicated, it can be a boom to mankind. However, it’s a double-edged sword. People who are unaware of the downsides may have serious complications of using these unmonitored. Please make an informed decision regarding usage.