subject: Steroids Effects – The Young Athlete [print this page] Steroids Effects The Young Athlete Steroids Effects The Young Athlete
Anabolic androgenic steroids are synthetic variations of testosterone, the sex hormone that naturally occurs in males. These drugs are typically taken in an effort to enhance athletic prowess by building muscle mass and improving performance. The most common steroid user is the young male athlete involved in body building, football, running, swimming and other such competitive sports. Steroids effects on the body can be long term and catastrophic. These drugs are classified as controlled substances and are meant to be used only with a doctor's prescription for treatment of medical conditions.
There is no approved use of steroids in the sports arena. Most athletic organizations have stringent rules in place against the use of steroids and well frequently test athletes for the drug. Those athletes found using steroids are often disqualified or otherwise penalized. Steroid use among athletes is very dangerous, especially due to the mega doses of the drugs that are taken. In medical situations, doctors generally prescribe steroids in doses of one to five milligrams daily. Athletes often use hundreds of milligrams of steroids daily. This is a gross abuse of a drug not meant for athletes in the first place.
Because of the numerous side effects that come with taking copious amounts of steroids, many athletes are taking the steroids in combination with other medications. Some of those other medications are stimulants, depressants and pain killers. This is done in an effort to combat some of the steroids effects when, in reality, such a practice expands the potential of adverse reactions. The adverse steroids effects are things such as high blood pressure problems, kidney problems, growth defects, cardiovascular issues and psychiatric problems. Growth defects are a crucial side effect that high school athletes should be made aware of, for steroids can cause the growth plates to close too early therefore leading to stunted growth.
Psychiatric problems are common steroids effects. Known as 'roid rage', the mania leads to aggressiveness, little need for sleep and reckless behavior. Some athletes actually seek out this mania in order to bring about higher aggression in sports and stronger motivation to work out. Roid rage is often followed by a period of deep depression in which many athletes experience suicidal behavior. It is this kind of behavior as well as sudden death from heart problems and strokes that make the news when it comes to steroids effects. These things are why steroids are a controlled substance to be used only medically.
