Something About Steroids

Steroids are Harmful

The usual method I know that people use to develop muscles and enhance power is through exercising and partaking in other physical activities. Lifting weights, jogging, push-ups are just some of the specific activities in order to improve health as well as physical characteristics. However, there are some people who choose to use steroids as another way to be muscular and powerful.

Steroids, more specifically anabolic steroids, are drugs that are synthetic versions of testosterone. Anabolic steroids should be differentiated from corticosteroids. Both drugs are prescribed by doctors but for different reasons. Whereas corticosteroids are used for swelling and regulating overactive immune responses of the body, anabolic steroids are mainly for people who have delayed puberty or are having problems with their testicular function. Anabolic steroids promote the growth of skeletal muscle as well as other male characteristics that appear during puberty such as growth of facial hair and deepening of the voice. These are also used by athletes in order to enhance their performance and strength boost. Other than these health conditions, it is discouraged to take it as it can impose risks to our health. It even has side effects that may range from mild ones to those that can be considered life threatening. Some of its side effects are:

Steroid Studs
Photo Credits:  Sam Antonio Photography

·       Acne

·       Liver disease

·       Heart problems

·       Suffer from delusions

·       Prone to baldness

·       Have mood swings

·       Nervousness

·       Difficulty in sleeping

·       Blurred vision

These are just some of its side effects. However, for people who are already suffering from other health conditions such as arthritis, it may cause more harm than usual.

Effects of Steroids to Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sweet potato on Steroids
Photo Credits:  Bill Oriani         

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic and progressive health condition wherein joints are gradually destructed. Some researches conducted had led to the use of steroids for rheumatoid arthritis. Injection of steroids can ease the pain; however, it does not totally cure it. Moreover, it may even impose other health risks that can worsen the condition. Constant and frequent injection on a certain area can weaken the bone, ligament, and tendon. In addition, it can cause bleeding in the joint. Steroids may also trigger allergic reactions and can cause a rupture of the tendon. These are all just some in addition to the other effects listed above. Although not all may show signs of these side effects, we should note that there are other ways for rheumatoid arthritis treatment that may not impose that same health hazards steroids do. As steroids have a lot of potential disadvantages, other options should be considered for the treatment.

Not only do the drugs itself impose danger. The fact that there is a use of injection to transmit it to our body may also mean exposure to possible HIV or hepatitis infection from needles and syringes that are not sterilized. Also, for women who take steroids, they may show physical characteristics that are usually found in men such as deep voice, facial hair and can also reduce breast size and cause menstrual irregularities.

The long list of the disadvantageous effects of steroids should be looked upon and analyzed before deciding to take it. Though the idea of developing muscle and power through steroids may sound appealing at first, its negative effects to our body might change our view otherwise.