Anabolic steroid abuse

The term anabolic refers to the muscle-building properties of these manmade substances. Available legally only by prescription, anabolic steroids are sometimes prescribed by doctors to treat conditions in which testosterone levels are abnormally low, or in certain chronic conditions such as AIDS that are associated with loss of muscle mass. Athletes, bodybuilders, and other people sometimes abuse anabolic steroids in order to improve performance and physical appearance.
Anabolic steroids are one type of performance-enhancing drug or medication. They mimic testosterone in the body to enhance performance by making muscle cells larger and by allowing the body to recover more quickly from the stress of exercise. Slang for anabolic steroids is roids.
Performance-enhancing drugs are no longer just for bodybuilders or pro athletes who are willing to try illegal and potentially dangerous means to improve their body's function. These drugs are being used every day by people of all ages, from middle-school, high-school, and college students to older recreational athletes.
There are two types of steroids that are naturally produced in the body:
Catabolic steroids or glucocorticoids are part of the body's response to stress. The word catabolic comes from the Greek word meaning to "throw down," and these steroids help break down large chemicals into smaller ones. For example, cortisol helps glycogen (a large molecule that is stored in the liver) metabolize into glucose, a small molecule that can be used for energy by the body.
Cortisol naturally is manufactured in the adrenal glands and is required for many of the basic functions of the body, including glucose metabolism, the immune response to infection, and protein, fat, and carbohydrate metabolism. Prescription medications, such as prednisone (Deltasone, Liquid Pred), hydrocortisone (Westcort), and dexamethasone (Decadron [discontinued], DexPak), are examples of steroids that are used to reduce inflammation and treat a range of illnesses from asthma and COPD to rheumatoid arthritis and allergic reactions. Low-dose hydrocortisone is the active ingredient in creams that help treat the inflammation from insect bites, poison ivy, eczema, and other local skin irritations.
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Anabolic steroid abuse

The term anabolic refers to the muscle-building properties of these manmade substances. Available legally only by prescription, anabolic steroids are sometimes prescribed by doctors to treat conditions in which testosterone levels are abnormally low, or in certain chronic conditions such as AIDS that are associated with loss of muscle mass. Athletes, bodybuilders, and other people sometimes abuse anabolic steroids in order to improve performance and physical appearance. Anabolic steroids are one type of performance-enhancing drug or medication. They mimic testosterone in the body to enhance performance by making muscle cells larger and by allowing the body to recover more quickly from the stress of exercise. Slang for anabolic steroids is roids. Performance-enhancing drugs are no longer just for bodybuilders or pro athletes who are willing to try illegal and potentially dangerous means to improve their bodys function. These drugs are being used every day by people of all ages, from middle-school, high-school, and college students to older recreational athletes. There are two types of steroids that are naturally produced in the body: Catabolic steroids or glucocorticoids are part of the bodys response to stress. The word catabolic comes from the Greek word meaning to throw down, and these steroids help break down large chemicals into smaller ones. For example, cortisol helps glycogen (a large molecule that is stored in the liver) metabolize into glucose, a small molecule that can be used for energy by the body. Cortisol naturally is manufactured in the adrenal glands and is required for many of the basic functions of the body, including glucose metabolism, the immune response to infection, and protein, fat, and carbohydrate metabolism. Prescription medications, such as prednisone (Deltasone, Liquid Pred), hydrocortisone (Westcort), and dexamethasone (Decadron [discontinued], DexPak), are examples of steroids that are used to reduce inflammation and treat a range of illnesses from asthma and COPD to rheumatoid arthritis and allergic reactions. Low-dose hydrocortisone is the active ingredient in creams that help treat the inflammation from insect bites, poison ivy, eczema, and other local skin irritations. Medicine Net