subject: Steroids Effects – Bulking Up and Bringing Down [print this page] Steroids Effects Bulking Up and Bringing Down
Steroids have long been used and abused in the world of athletics, from high school youth to professional athletes in a variety of sports arenas. Youngsters who use steroids are at risk for many side effects and issues, one of which is premature growth plate closing which can lead to stunted growth. The push to bulk up and grow faster often backfires for young athletes in that regard. Steroids effects are often severe for any abusers, regardless of age or physical shape. While steroids can be prescribed by doctors for medical purposes, they are not approved for any use in the sporting world.
Athletes use steroids in an effort to bulk up muscle and boost performance, even though in most sports associations such practices are against the rules. Frequent tests are given to performing athletes and penalties are handed down for those who are found to have steroids in their systems. While steroids are legally present in some forms, they are not sanctioned for use to enhance athletic performance. Those who abuse steroids are not only violating laws and rules of athletic associations but are damaging their bodies as well. Steroids effects on the body can be profound.
Doctors generally prescribe steroids in certain medically warranted situations such as the treatment of diseases in which sometimes result in the loss of lean muscle mass such as AIDs or cancer. Steroids are also used in the treatment of certain steroid hormone deficiencies and delayed puberty issues. When using steroids, doctors typically use dosages between one and five milligrams per day. Athletes who are illicitly using steroids often take mega dose of hundreds of milligrams per day. This is a very dangerous practice that can wreak havoc on the body's systems, causing long term and debilitating damage and sometimes death.
Steroids effects can impact the cardiovascular system of the body by causing high blood pressure. Blood pressure that is too high often results in a vulnerability to heart attacks and strokes. Steroids also increase the level of bad cholesterol in the blood, which causes blood clots that leave the user susceptible to a cardiovascular event such as a heart attack or a stroke. Steroids effects can also be psychiatric. The infamous 'roid rage' term describes manic episodes of aggressiveness and recklessness that is almost always followed by deep depression. Roid rage episodes often lead to accidents or suicides.
