Anabolic steroids are illegal performance-enhancing drugs that many professional athletes and ordinary citizens use. Athletes use steroids to enhance their physical abilities, such as strength, endurance, and muscle mass. Bodybuilders use steroids to quickly build large amounts of muscle and recover from significant competitions in a shorter amount of time. Steroid abusers face serious health risks and career consequences.
Anabolic steroids, including human growth hormones and testosterone, are banned by numerous sports leagues and the Olympic Games. Athletes who use steroids may face criminal prosecution and the possibility of having their professional careers ruined. Legal penalties for steroid use range from probation to suspension from a sport’s organization. Athletes and other persons involved in the use and distribution of steroids can be subjected to testing devices to determine their steroid levels. In some cases, testing devices are so sophisticated that they can choose a positive test by viewing a urinalysis or blood test.
Overuse of anabolic steroids can severely damage the liver, kidneys, spleen, and pancreas. Users can suffer from life-threatening side effects, such as edema (swelling of the legs), rupture of blood vessels in the lungs, thrombosis, heart failure, and infertility. Long-term use of anabolic steroids can also cause testicular shrinkage, bone loss, progressive eye disease, and increased risk of high cholesterol and Type II diabetes. Some steroids are so highly concentrated that they may replace other vitamins in the body. Anabolic steroids can also contribute to the growth of tumors in the body, which can be very dangerous.
Anabolic steroids are used in illegal street drug deals. Anabolic steroids are often sold as bodybuilding supplements or ‘uppers.’ Some users purchase these supplements to ‘tone up,’ especially for bodybuilders and football players. However, anabolic steroids have been found to have very adverse side effects, including severe short term mood swings, aggression, depression, congenital disabilities, and personality changes.
Anabolic steroids are increasingly being used by younger people who consume them regularly. Addiction Teenagers are becoming more aware of their health risks and are trying to find a way to ‘get big.’ Anabolic steroids are increasingly being advertised on the internet and in magazine spreads. Many young people use the internet and chat rooms to promote their usage of anabolic steroids. There is now a large online user community for anabolic steroids.
Steroids are also increasingly being used by older generations who have found using anabolic steroids to be a suitable solution to help increase muscle mass, reduce fat, and improve sports ability and performance. Anabolic steroids increase the amount of mesothelin, an amino acid, in the body.
Anabolic steroids are known to have serious health consequences if taken in excess. The most common effect is short term ‘word problems.’ Anabolic steroids cause the body to release large amounts of lactic acid, causing muscle cramps and other symptoms that mimic a severe injury or heart attack. Users may experience extreme muscle growth, but the continued use of steroids can cause water retention and lead to long term damage to the liver.
If you are thinking about using anabolic steroids, then there are several things you should know:
These drugs are illegal and cause many adverse side effects, including heart attacks and mental retardation.
They are incredibly addictive, and users of anabolic steroids will have a tough time getting rid of their addiction.
They can become quite costly because they contain Epimedium, Equineaminics, and Methylene Blue.
Despite the severe health risks associated with their use, they continue to be used widely by professional athletes across many sports.