Usage and abuse of steroids is on a rise in the city as many teenagers are being advised by their gym trainers, or friends who are using steroids, to bulk up and get a good body in less time. With very minimum effort put in, sources state they are encouraged to use them and are not told about the life threatening effects caused by their usage.
Anabolic steroids or anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) are a class of synthetic drugs that are designed to mimic the effects of the hormones in the body. Use of anabolic steroids introduces Testosterone into the body externally which then attaches to the nucleus where it activates the synthesis of protein in the body. Protein synthesis leads to quicker tissue and muscle repair and growth. Increased protein synthesis would lead to quicker regeneration of body to give faster recovery.
Steroids used in the treatment of medical conditions use only one type of steroid and the patients are closely monitored and doses used are approximately the same as produced naturally by the body. In the case of steroid use in sports, people take mega dosages. Most of the new steroids users get their dosage instruction from their seller or friends, without any knowledge about the after effects and correct dosages. Many steroids found on the black market are of suspicious quality, which contain a very small amount of drug. Some drugs have been reported to contain only water and a dye, or contain normal peanut oil.
Side Effects of Steroid Use
There have been many reports on the effects of use of such anabolic steroids on human body. Some of these include cancer, but a lot of users ignore such warnings even when information is given about these effects.
BRAIN
High testosterone levels and aggressive behavior has often been seen in these users who have also been found involved in violent acts. High dose of such anabolic steroids leads to psychotic syndromes and a high level of anxiety. Few other effects are sleep disturbances, paranoia, depression, mood swings and sometimes, change in personality.
HAIR
Baldness is common in both male and females due to conversion of high level of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone or DHT causing the hair follicles to shrink, which then only produces fine hair. Eventually, regular use of steroids will result in the hair follicles to die and leads to permanent baldness
HEART
This is the section where a user should be most concerned about, but they chose to ignore such warnings until some serious cardiovascular event happens. There have been many reports of heart attacks and strokes because of regular use of such steroids. Use of steroids has shown an increase in cholesterol on the walls of the blood vessel which leads to heart strokes.
LIVER
Liver is the largest organ of the body which filters harmful toxins from the blood and for storage of certain nutrients. It also manages protein, cholesterol and sugar levels in the body. Regular use of steroid has shown signs of irreversible liver damage and cancers. Oral steroids are difficult for the liver to metabolise leading to decrease the ability of the liver to clear waste products.
CHEST
Breast development (gynocomastia) from steroid use is a very commonly seen side effect of long term steroid cycle or high dose of steroid use, this causes a formation of breast tissue which begins as visible lumps and require surgical intervention.
Overall, the use of steroids give a short term strength to the body and a good body posture, but on the long run it ruins the lives of many. This makes it not profitable to anyone except the people who sell such drugs to the desperate.
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