STEROIDS PRESENTED BY: TERESA KLAWITTER What are Steroids

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STEROIDS

• PRESENTED BY
• TERESA KLAWITTER

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What are Steroids?

• Steroids are manufactured testosterone-like drugs
  that are usually taken to build muscle, enhance
  performance, and improve appearance.  While some
  steroids are used medically to treat many
  conditions including asthma, chronic lung
  disease, skin conditions and allergic reactions
  such as poison ivy, non medical use of steroids
  can have serious side effects.  Using steroids
  for cosmetic or athletic purposes is not
  sanctioned in the United States. 

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Three Types of Steroids

• 1) Corticosteroids-  Any of the natural or
  synthetic hormones associated with the adrenal
  cortex, which influences or controls key
  processes of the body, as carbohydrate and
  protein metabolism, electrolyte and water
  balance, and the functions of the cardiovascular
  system, the skeletal muscle, the kidneys, and
  other organs.  
• --These steroids are found in prescription and
  non-prescription creams and ointments that
  control rashes and itching. Two common trade
  names are Cortaid(R) and Lanacort(R).

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Second type

• 2) Estrogens and Progestogens-  These are the
  female sex hormones.  They are responsible for
  the development of secondary sexual
  characteristics in women and maintain the female
  reproductive system. 
• --Estrogens and progestogens are the active
  ingredients in prescription birth control tablets.

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Third type

• 3) Androgens- Testosterone is the androgen that
  leads to the development of male secondary sexual
  characteristics and maintains the male
  reproductive system.  
• --Testosterone is commonly prescribed in the
  treatment of female breast cancer, androgen
  deficiency, and for stimulation of growth, weight
  gain, and red blood cell production.  These are
  commonly known as "anabolic steroids" because
  they promote muscle growth.  They are also
  commonly used to help patients recover from a
  surgery and cancer treatment that resulted in
  damage to muscle tissue.

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Street Names

• Juice, Roids, Gym Candy, Pumpers, Stackers, Balls
  or Bulls, Weight Trainers, Arnies, As or
  Anabolics

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Method of Use

• Swallowed in tablets or liquid or injected. Users
  take them in patterns called cycling, which
  means they take them over a specific period of
  time, stop, then start taking them again instead
  of continuously using them.  Many users also take
  different types of steroids in combination with
  other drugs.  This is known as stacking.

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Sign and Symptoms of use

• Steroid abusers often exhibit the following
  symptoms
•       Rapid weight gain
•       Rapid muscle development
•       Acne flare up
•       Fluid retention
•       Yellow tint in the eyes and on skin
  (jaundice)
•       Mood swings, depression
•       Aggressive behavior
•       Premature balding

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Side effects of Steroids

• For both sexes
• Possible side effects for males and females
  include the following
• High blood pressure and heart disease
• Liver damage and cancers
• Stroke and blood clots
• Urinary and bowel problems, such as diarrhea
• Headaches, aching joints, and muscle cramps
• Nausea and vomiting
• Sleep problems
• Increased risk of ligament and tendon injuries
• Severe acne, especially on face and back
• Baldness

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Side effect for most males

• One of the more disturbing effects of steroid use
  for males is that the body begins to produce less
  of its own testosterone. As a result, the
  testicles may begin to shrink. Following is a
  list of some of the other effects of steroid use
  for males
• Reduced sperm count
• Impotence
• Increase in nipple and breast size (gynecomastia)
  
• Enlarged prostate (gland that mixes fluid with
  sperm to form semen)

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Side effects for females

• Since steroids act as a male hormone, females may
  experience the following side effects
• Reduced breast size
• Enlarged clitoris (a very sensitive part of the
  genitals)
• Increase in facial and body hair
• Deepened voice
• Menstrual problems

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Emotional effects

• Steroids also can have the following effects on
  the mind and behavior
• "Roid rage" - severe, aggressive behavior that
  may result in violence, such as fighting or
  destroying property
• Severe mood swings
• Hallucinations - seeing or hearing things that
  are not really there
• Paranoia - extreme feelings of mistrust and fear
• Anxiety and panic attacks
• Depression and thoughts of suicide
• An angry, hostile, or irritable mood

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Shot-term Consequences

• Use of steroids can increase muscle mass,
  strength, and endurance, but can also cause liver
  tumors, jaundice, water retention, and high blood
  pressure. Some users show bad judgment because
  the drugs make them feel invincible.  Other users
  suffer from uncontrolled aggression and violent
  behavior called Roid Rage, severe mood swings,
  manic episodes and depression.  They often suffer
  from paranoid jealousy, extreme irritability and
  can have delusions

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Long-Term Consequences

• When the body experiences a build up of steroids
  in its system, conditions such as hypertension,
  high cholesterol, kidney disease, stunted growth,
  and heart damage are likely to occur.  Women can
  experience irreversible deepening of the voice,
  shrinking of the breasts, menstrual
  irregularities, baldness and hair growth on other
  parts of the body, and genital swelling.   Men
  can experience baldness, breast enlargement,
  sterility, shrinking of testicles and impotence. 
  Steroids such as prednisone and other synthetic
  steroids, can cause a rise in blood sugar by
  blocking the effect of insulin.  Over time, users
  can develop diabetes.

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Drug Test Detection

• Oral steroids can be found in your system up to
  several weeks after use.  Injected steroids can
  be found for several months after use.

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Play safe, play fair

• Train safely, without using drugs.
• Eat a healthy diet.
• Get plenty of rest.
• Set realistic goals and be proud of yourself when
  you reach them.
• Seek out training supervision, coaching, and
  advice from a reliable professional.
• Avoid injuries by playing safely and using
  protective gear.
• Talk to your pediatrician about nutrition, your
  health, preventing injury, and safe ways to gain
  strength.

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References

• www.whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/drugfact/steroids/ind
  ex.html
• www.dea.gov/concern/steroids.html
• www.well.com/user/woa/fsroids.htm
• www.aap.org/family/steroids.htm
• www.nida.nih.gov/Infofax/steroids.html
• www.silownia.net/
• www.steroidabuse.org/