Steroids cause permanent changed in adolescents

Leslie Henderson worries about adolescents. She is troubled because many adolescents take anabolic steroids that may be dangerous for them. These products may make teenagers aggressive. Furthermore, steroids may affect various systems of users. According to Leslie Henderson, the most dangerous aspect related to usage of these drugs by adolescents is following: these products influence on the brain negatively. They destroy not only functions of the brain; they also alter the way it acts.
Anabolic steroids have been elaborated in order to treat some diseases. These medicines have capacity to promote development of secondary male characteristics in males with delayed puberty. They have capacity to prevent muscle wasting in individuals that have HIV/AIDS and other health problems. But these medications are also often abused. They are used for enhancement of muscle mass and strength. When doctors recommend using steroids to treat certain illnesses, they indicate relatively reduced dosages that don’t produce dangerous undesirable consequences. When these drugs are taken for performance-enhancing effects, doses are enhanced. But it is important to know that increased measures may lead to serious unwanted reactions.
Non-clinical usage of steroids is very dangerous for teenagers. Their systems have not been yet developed. That’s why these medicines may lead to irreversible changes in them. Steroids may destroy their physical as well psychological health of teenagers. As a result, unwanted results of steroids are manifested in them not only during adolescence but also when they grow up. If adult people abuse steroids, they usually don’t suffer from such prolonged serious undesirable results, as adolescents experience. That’s why Leslie Henderson and other specialists affirm that it is necessary to warn adolescents about negative influence of steroids on them. They should know about all probable risks. If teenagers know about severe adverse consequences of steroids, they will probably discontinue using these medicines for improvement of physique and performance.

Androgen receptors induce reducing fat deposits

A recent study has demonstrated that glucocorticosteroids induce increasing fat levels. These compounds have direct influence on androgen receptors which decrease body fat deposits.
This study may be useful in our era, when a lot of persons experience obesity. According to statements of several specialists, it is required to lower amount of glucocorticosteroids in order to avoid or treat obesity.
When scientists conducted this research, they had the following goal: they desired to comprehend ways, reasons and stages of development of fat levels. Basing on results of the research, the scientists have noted that androgen receptors should be activated in order to reduce fat storage. Thus, obesity could be cured even at the early stages of development.
The androgen testosterone binds itself to androgen receptors. So, androgen receptors become able to control development of muscle mass, increase defined muscles, etc.
According to the research, glucocorticosteroids decrease activity of androgen receptors. So, they become inefficient to manage buildup of muscle mass and decrease of fat storage. That’s why fat is stored especially in abdominal area.
The researchers say that this research can induce developing new ways to treat and prevent obesity. The new treatment strategies will be linked with glucocorticosteroids and androgen receptors.

Which changes occur because of new amendment to British steroid law?

British citizens are not allowed to purchase steroids per internet. Importation of steroids into the UK is considered to be illicit under a new amendment to the steroid law. Those who live in the UK and import steroids into the country are sanctioned by authorities. But Britons may freely get, possess and take steroids.
According to the “personal custody”, those that came to London for the 2012 Olympic Games were allowed to import steroids for personal use. It was not considered to be illicit under British laws. Nonetheless, those that live inside the UK don’t have any right to purchase steroids at online drug stores and import them from other countries to the UK.
Earlier British people were allowed to acquire steroids from outside the country. The amendment was provided by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) in order to protect health of those that use steroids. But could the amendment do it?
Numerous underground labs produce anabolic steroids inside the UK. They prosper because of the amendment. But it is important to take in consideration that many underground labs manufacture steroids of low quality. So, British people have to get steroids of low quality because it is prohibited to import steroids that are manufactured outside the country by trustworthy pharmaceutical companies.
Authorities informed Needle-Syringe Program (NSP) workers that they would have to work more. It was claimed that the amendment would enhance the number of steroid users.
Actually, the amendment is likely to influence on health of steroid users negatively. Steroid-using sportspeople and bodybuilders may get grave adverse results because they switch from quality steroids manufactured by trustworthy pharmaceutical companies to worse medicines manufactured by underground labs located in the UK.

Information about steroids written in Wikipedia may be mixed with personal opinions of sponsors

Feds don’t have sufficient knowledge about anabolic steroids, although they pursue those who manufacture, take and/or distribute these products. They don’t study scientific literature about these products. The government utilizes information that is presented in Wikipedia. Although federal prosecutors speak about undesirable effects of steroids, they don’t know about these conditions sufficiently. Citing statements about steroids written in Wikipedia, they punish users/manufacturers/distributors of these products, confirming that these medicines represent evil.
Some important questions appear here: Is it correct to base upon affirmations provided in Wikipedia in such situations? Are these affirmations true? Aren’t they exposed to manipulations? Aren’t they mixed with subjective opinions of contributors?
Maurice Hall, the associate professor of communication and culture at Villanova University, affirms that it is not reasonable to base completely upon statements provided in Wikipedia. He claims that Wikipedia serves a good guide for footnotes. But information provided in Wikipedia may be not true completely.
For example, when John Isaac Hudelson was sentenced to prison, feds based their conclusions linked with illicit operations of this person upon statements cited from Wikipedia. Feds affirmed that Hudelson would be sentenced 47-54 months in jail because he administered and distributed steroids. Stephen Greubel, the defense attorney for Hudelson, argued that 47-54 months in prison were too much for his client. He noted that Hudelson distributed steroids, preparations that differed from such drugs, as amphetamine, methamphetamine, codeine, morphine, etc. Stephen Greubel noted that steroids didn’t cause addiction.
Federal prosecutors noted that John Isaac Hudelson manufactured, administered and distributed steroids to his friends. They confirmed that while steroids didn’t lead to addiction, muscularity could be addictive. Moreover, they added that steroids could lead to serious side consequences. All statements of feds were based upon those written in Wikipedia.
Ultimately, the government sent Isaac John Hudelson to 37-month imprisonment.

Microdosing while using EPO and steroids

Tyler Hamilton and Daniel Coyle have published a book related to administration of EPO and anabolic steroids. Tips provided in the book can prove that the prominent cyclist Lance Armstrong used forbidden substances. The book has been entitled following: “The Secret Race: Inside the Hidden World of the Tour de France: Doping, Cover-ups, and Winning at all Costs”. The book contains instructions related to application of EPO and steroids in cycling and methods to avoid detection. It demonstrates that drug testing is ineffective in this sport.
Tyler Hamilton confirms that athletes can administer steroids without being caught. The author claims that the WADA doesn’t have any possibility to win. Hamilton describes weakness of the WADA in testing sportspersons for forbidden products.
According to Tyler Hamilton, it is easy to avoid detection while taking EPO. It is necessary to utilize the procedure “microdosing”. What does it actually mean? Athletes should not introduce 2,000 Units of EPO under the skin every 3-4 days. They must inject 400-500 Units of EPO every 3rd or 4th night intravenously. This method is named “microdosing”. Applying this way of administration, sportpersons can avoid detection without any essential effort.
Since microdosing is an appropriate way to avoid detection while administering EPO, this method must be proper in case of steroid use too. Thus, Tyler Hamilton supposes that cyclists and other sportspersons can avoid detection while administering anabolic steroids. He provides tips connected with this issue in details in the book.  The author explains how it is possible to hit drug testing of anti-doping agencies.
Actually, it is unlikely that guidelines provided in Tyler’s book will change nature of cycling. While introduction of the biological passport by anti-doping agencies can’t stop doping, elaboration of microdosing into application of EPO is not the new beginning of doping in cycling. Guidelines of Hamilton may modify just the essence of doping in this sport. Intake of performance-enhancing drugs is a part of cycling. Let notice the truth. Like Santa Claus doesn’t exist at the high level.

Nature of steroids

There are three classes of steroids: corticosteroids, estrogens and progestogens, and anabolic-androgenic steroids.
Essence of corticosteroids is similar to that of hormones secreted in the adrenal cortex. Corticosteroids may be in form of creams, ointment, inhalation products, etc. They are recommended to treat inflammations, allergic reactions, dysfunctions of respiratory, nervous, musculoskeletal and other systems.
Estrogens and progestogens represent female sex hormones. These hormones promote developing female secondary characteristics. Birth control remedies contain these compounds.
Anabolic-androgenic steroids represent medications that are also widely used in medicine. They have capacity to cure certain types of breast cancer, cancer of testicles, anemia, etc. These preparations are often prescribed to receive better and faster recovery after some operations. Burn victims, persons with HIV/AIDS use anabolic-androgenic steroids in order to avoid muscle loss. Several steroids are also taken to cure osteoporosis. These products are also taken in case of infertility.
Moreover, anabolic-androgenic steroids are taken for athletic needs. These medications are able to create muscles and promote increasing energy. That’s why a lot of sportspeople and bodybuilders use them for performance-enhancing effects. Some anabolic-androgenic steroids have also ability to promote loosing fat, making muscles defined.
Usage of anabolic-androgenic steroids for non-therapeutic purposes is forbidden under laws of some countries. Those who manufacture, sell, purchase and use these medicines illegally may be sentenced to imprisonment and/or fines. These medicines belong to illegal preparations in several countries because they may lead to different adverse reactions. While several side reactions are insignificant and disappear after discontinuation of usage, others are dangerous and even irreversible. Those who desire to obtain positive effects, taking steroids for therapeutic purposes, should administer these medicines under indications of physicians.

Cheerleader refused $75000 contract on account of steroids

When it is noted about cheerleaders, we imagine active and slim females. But we have to recognize that sometimes the reality differs from our imagination. The cheerleader Anna Watson is an example in this situation. She has great muscles. But she is very pretty.
A fitness modeling agency offered her a $75000 contract. But she didn’t agree to obtain it. In fact, it is surprisingly because many ladies want to get such contracts. But she didn’t want to get it because she had to take steroids for this purpose.
When Anna Watson began to study at Hawaii Pacific University, she started weight lifting. The lady trained intensively and consumed about 3000 calorie daily. Finally she could lift 230 pounds. But her weight was not enough to obtain a modeling fitness contract. However she consumed much protein, she could not gain required pounds.
A modeling agent claimed that Anavar could help her to add weight. Anna Watson had to get 50 pounds in order to get the contract. Thus, she began to administer Anavar in order to enhance body weight. The cheerleader was eating “forever”, even if she didn’t feel hunger. Despites of her efforts, consumption of much food and administration of Anavar, she was not able to get 50 pounds. She got only 10 pounds.
Anna Watson is a religious person. She is a member of a church. Ultimately, she made a decision to ask a weight lifting champion for advice. Hugh Kirby who is also a member of the church has advised her to be far from application of steroids. He claimed that these products could cause different negative effects. This man also added that steroids could lead to infertility. So, Hugh Kirby said that it would be better to refuse the contract instead of getting health problems, especially infertility.
So, the cheerleader Anna Watson didn’t agree to get the contract. But she decided not to leave her workouts. She dreams to become a personal trainer.
Actually, the cheerleader made a correct decision. It is reasonable to keep female features without a modeling contract instead of obtaining the contract and experiencing effects of masculinization owing to administration of steroids.

Illegal sale of steroids should be punished harshly

Although it is illegal to sell anabolic steroids in several countries, some steroid dealers are not punished appropriately. For example, lately two persons who sold steroids illegally didn’t go to prison. They were sentenced only to work certain hours. Although these persons advertised and sold steroids per internet, they avoided prison successfully. These individuals distributed products that could affect health of users. That’s why they had to be sanctioned more harshly.
Many consumers of steroids know nothing about dangers related to them. They don’t know that intake of steroids may lead to some health problems. It is necessary to take in consideration that certain steroids are aromatizable. It means that they may convert into estrogen, enhancing levels of this hormone. As a result, male users of such steroids may suffer from abnormal development of breast tissues, fat accumulation, fluid retention, etc. Undoubtedly, gynecomastia is very unpleasant effect for men. Sometimes it can’t be cured with preparations. So, it may require a surgery.
Several steroids are dangerous for women. They may cause masculinizing effects in them. So, certain women that take androgenic steroids have deep voice, hirsutism, baldness, menstrual irregularities, infertility, etc.
Numerous steroids are liver-toxic. They may cause liver diseases. If anyone has had liver dysfunctions before administration of steroids, these medications may lead to severer complications.
Nonetheless, nobody can doubt about positive effects that can be obtained owing to usage of steroids. These preparations promote developing new muscle tissues. They also increase existing muscles. Moreover, these preparations help to gain strength. Certain steroids induce fat burning, making muscle harder.
However possible benefits of steroids are great, it is necessary to consider potential unwanted results. It is affirmed that steroids may lead to depression and uncontrolled aggressiveness. So, several consumers of these preparations commit various crimes. While several users may commit suicides, others violate, kill other individuals.
Steroids may cause also other undesirable consequences that are not noted in the article. People should be aware of what they administer. Those that sell these medications illegally should be sentenced appropriately.

Football players use steroids to be stronger

Many articles report about administration of steroids in baseball. Sportswriters and reporters describe steroid scandals which take place in this sport. It is widely debated about steroid era in baseball. MLB players are subjected to numerous drug tests. It seems that every individual interested in sports demonizes baseball players for usage of performance-enhancing drugs. Do only baseball players administer steroids and other related preparations? What do you suppose about football players? Don’t they dope? Why do we blame just baseball players for administration of banned medicines?
Doping is widespread among football players. Since 1960s application of performance-enhancing drugs has a great role in this sport. It is impossible to imagine football without intake of steroids and other related substances.
Strength and size are important features in football. Several individuals think that football players have great strength only because of intensive workouts and suitable nutrition. But it is a wrong opinion. Many football players take banned products in order to get strength and induce increasing muscle size.
As you notice, usage of forbidden preparations is widespread in football. Nonetheless, baseball players are more harshly blamed for application of steroids and other related medicines. Such baseball players, as Jose Canseco, Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds were subjected to public shame on account of doping. But such football players, as Lyle Alzado, Shawne Merriman, Chris Cooper and Thomas Romanowski, also applied prohibited medicines. Nevertheless, they were not so widely criticized, as dopers in baseball.
Moreover, it is necessary to consider that usage of steroids is related to more dangers in football.
It is affirmed that football is unlikely to be free from doping.

Anabolic steroids may cause health problems in teens

Adolescents’ addiction to anabolic steroids becomes a great problem nowadays. Why do adolescents use these medications? They do it in order to enhance their muscles, reduce fat deposits and make muscles hard. They desire to make their bodies more attractive. Actually, teens administer these medicines because they desire to look like models, sports stars and heroes. Since adolescents want to be celebrated so, as well-known sportspersons are, they try to improve their physique and performance with anabolic steroids.
But adolescents don’t take into account certain important factors in this case. Firstly, professional sportspeople and bodybuilders ask doctors for recommendations. So, doctors indicate how they should use steroids. That’s why administration of anabolic steroids by famous sportspersons is relatively safe. When it comes to teens, they don’t know what they administer; they don’t know how steroids should be administered. Secondly, the process of development is not over in teens. That’s why steroids may be dangerous for them. Anabolic steroids may destruct functions of reproductive, cardiovascular and other systems in adolescents.
Unluckily, many teenagers use anabolic steroids. Certain surveys of the Michigan University display that the number of steroid users in high schools continues to grow.
Furthermore, it is not a problem to buy these medicines. High schools students buy steroids without substantial efforts.
As a result, several teens become addicted to steroids. While certain teens try to discontinue applying these products, they can’t do it. In fact, it is quite difficult to escape from this addiction. Addicted steroid users can’t stop taking these medications without help of high-qualified specialists. They should stay in special centers of rehabilitation where well-trained experts help them to escape from the addiction.
It is important to teach adolescents about risks associated with anabolic steroids. Teenagers should be aware not only of benefits of these medicines. They should be educated also about undesirable results of these preparations. If schoolchildren and high school students are not informed about dark sides of steroids, they will take these preparations. Finally, their systems will be destructed. If the society doesn’t worry about teens, they will experience many health problems.

Anti-doping system effectively fights against doping

While athletes that dope seek new methods to avoid detection, anti-doping officers create new tools in order to catch those that use banned medications. One of new techniques elaborated into anti-doping system is biological passport. It helps to set whether a sportsperson has doped. The biological passport measures certain biomarkers which may indicate whether an individual has used certain medicines. So, it can measure hemoglobin levels. Unexplained reduced or increased hemoglobin levels may indicate doping. So, the biological passport defines physical changes that play essential role in detection.
It is clear that anti-doping policy becomes more progressive. It introduces new ways to catch dopers and clean sports.
If you compare drug tests which have been utilized earlier with those which are used nowadays, you can see that the difference is great. Anti-doping efforts are essential. Drug testing becomes more advanced.
It was also elaborated a test for detection of CERA. This preparation was initially created in order to treat anemia connected with kidney dysfunctions. Since earlier there was not any drug test which could determine metabolites of this substance, Rashid Ramzi of Bahrain could avoid detection at the Beijing Olympics. Recently his sample was re-analyzed. Anti-doping officers defined that this sportsman had taken CERA. As a result, he forfeited his awards.
Earlier it was hard and even quite impossible to catch those that applied HGH. Recently a blood test for this preparation was also introduced.
Another new drug test, known as Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry, was also recently introduced. This test helps to set whether testosterone has been taken from outsides or it has been secreted in the body naturally.
So, anti-doping system is more sophisticated nowadays. Anti-doping officials hope that they will be capable to make sports free from intake of performance-enhancing drugs.

It would be better to stop fighting against doping

The American cyclist Lance Armstrong never tested positive for any forbidden substance. But he lost his seven Tour de France titles because the USADA accused him of doping.
You can notice that usage of banned substances is considered to be a final sin of professional sportspersons. They are sentenced to ban from competitions, if they are found guilty or just suspected of doping.
For example, the British runner Dwain Chambers was suspended because he tested positive for tetrahydrogestrinone. This athlete affirmed that he was not the only Olympic  sprinter who applied steroids. According to his words, many sprinters of the US racing team administered prohibited products.
Several individuals are probably bothered by reading articles about war on administration of prohibited preparations in sports. It seems that the war never ends. Although anti-doping agencies try to eradicate doping from competitive sports, a lot of athletes continue applying forbidden products. It is impossible to confront doping. It seems that it is better to legalize intake of performance-enhancing drugs. Let sportspeople apply whatever they desire!
Sportspeople break more breathtaking records from one year to another. It will be needed to measure thousandths of a second in order to determine who the winner is. It seems that it will be impossible to determine with a naked eye the fastest sprinters. That’s why several experts fear that it will be too difficult to keep sports interesting.
Some experts realize that anti-doping systems fail. Athletes who have never tested positive for any prohibited medication are suspended. Drug tests are not capable to promote catching those that administer steroids and/or other performance-enhancing drugs.
Doping reigns in sports. Almost every winner of Tour de France has been involved in a doping case.
Fans have great expectations. Athletes have to push their bodies till the limits in order to win. They have to take steroids and/or other performance-enhancing drugs in order to keep their reputations and not disappoint fans. The society should be blamed for athletes’ doping. Not only athletes should be demonized for usage of banned medications. The society creates such culture where athletes can’t prosper without usage of certain substances. That’s why it is necessary to discontinue blaming athletes. It is better to permit doping in sports. Every sport must compose own list of prohibited preparations. Just medications which are harmful to certain sport itself must be prohibited. Let take the sport of boxing as an example. This sport must ban just those medicines that withdraw fear because removing of fear in this sport is against its spirit.

Public fight against doping promotes selling and using steroids

One may believe that steroid scandals must have negative influence on pharmaceutical companies that produce these preparations. But manufacturers of these medicines find ways to take advantages of various steroid scandals. So, pharmaceutical companies utilize them in order to promote selling own products.
Let take as an example the case of the government and anti-doping officials against Barry Bonds. Although one may suppose that this steroid scandal must suppress purchase of several medications, the reality has displayed opposite things. The pharmaceutical company Abbott Laboratories could take advantage of the case. The company found numerous opportunities to advertise transdermal testosterone because of the accusations related to Barry Bonds’ doping.
It was confirmed that the former baseball player Barry Bonds used the transdermal testosterone product “AndroGel”. Of course, numerous reporters published news about this case. The pharmaceutical company Abbott Laboratories utilized this public scandal and started to advertise this product. Numerous Barry Bonds’ fans started obtaining and using this gel. This situation influenced on profits of Abbot Laboratories significantly. According to certain sources, the profits of the company turned out to be great.
Testosterone products are widely prescribed and taken. A lot of people administer them for hormone replacement therapy. The number of steroid prescriptions has enhanced by 90 % during last five years. Thus, the number of those that apply steroids is growing.
The pharmaceutical company Abbott Laboratories manufactures and sells the testosterone product “AndroGel”. Since other companies noticed that testosterone gel was in high demand, they also began to produce it. Thus, such medicines, as  AndroDream and Axiron, appeared. While AndroDream is produced by Watson Pharmaceuticals, Axiron is sold by Eli Lilly.
Pharmaceutical companies promote selling their medications. They claim that steroids improve men’s health. It goes without any saying that any company comprehends that since many men suffer from insufficient secretion of testosterone and since these preparations are taken for gaining of muscles and energy, the number of potential clients is great.

Daily intake of inhaled corticosteroids

Inhaled corticosteroids are medications that are taken in case of asthma by kids and grown-ups. Persons that suffer from mild, moderate and severe asthma take these preparations every day. These preparations prevent inflammation of the airways. Health care providers supervise persons with this disease, adjusting dosage schedule every 6 weeks.
Unfortunately, inhaled corticosteroids, like other medications, may cause negative reactions. Regular usage of these products is associated with certain risks. Is there any method for persons with asthma to prevent these problems?
A recent research has displayed that physicians should not recommend administering these medications daily to individuals with mild-to-moderate asthma. This study turned out to be very valuable. It is likely to alter guidelines related to treatment of asthma.
The research was conducted by scientists of the Texas Medical Brach in Galveston. The physician William Calhoun and his colleagues enrolled 340 individuals with asthma in the research. Some individuals received inhaled steroids daily; others took these preparations, when symptoms of asthma attacks appeared. Bronchial reactivity and functions of lungs were measured by the doctors during nine months. The results of the research manifested that there was not any essential difference between these two groups.
According to the scientists, if inhaled corticosteroids are applied, when symptoms appear, exacerbation can be prevented. Furthermore, these drugs have prolonged action. It means that positive effects are felt even certain days after usage. The scientists suggest that these products may be taken by individuals with mild-to-moderate asthma only when symptoms appear.
Why is this study valuable? According to certain sources, 25 million Americans suffer from asthma. Of course, they should be treated. This piece of news must be valuable for them. Moreover, if inhaled steroids are administered prolonged period of time, they may cause serious side reactions, such as hormonal imbalance, cataract, etc. So, if persons with mild-to-moderate asthma don’t use these products each day, they are more unlikely to get these undesirable results.
Of course, it is early to change guidelines connected with treatment of asthma. But this study may promote conducting further researches which may lead to some changes.