Which changes may be caused by steroids in teenagers?

Leslie Henderson worries about teenagers. She is troubled because numerous adolescents apply anabolic steroids that may be dangerous for them. These preparations may make adolescents aggressive. Moreover, steroids may affect various systems of consumers. According to Leslie Henderson, the most dangerous aspect linked with administration of these preparations by adolescents is following: these medicines influence on the brain negatively. They affect not only functions of the brain; they also alter the way it acts.
Anabolic steroids have been developed in order to treat certain health disorders. These products have capacity to promote development of secondary male features in males with delayed puberty. They can prevent muscle wasting in individuals that suffer from HIV/AIDS and other health problems. But these medicines are also frequently abused. They are used for enhancement of muscle mass and endurance. When doctors recommend taking steroids to cure certain health problems, they indicate relatively reduced measures which don’t cause dangerous side reactions. When these medications are used for performance-enhancing effects, dosages are enhanced. But it is important to know that enhanced dosages may lead to severe adverse reactions.
Non-medical usage of steroids is very dangerous for teenagers. Their systems have not been yet developed. That’s why these medications may cause irreversible changes in them. Steroids may affect their physical as well psychological health of teenagers. As a result, undesirable consequences of steroids are seen in them not only during adolescence but also when they grow up. If adult individuals abuse steroids, they usually don’t suffer from such prolonged serious unwanted results, as teenagers experience. That’s why Leslie Henderson and other experts claim that it is necessary to educate adolescents about negative impact of steroids on them. They should know about all probable risks. If adolescents know about serious unwanted effects of steroids, they will probably discontinue using these preparations for improvement of appearance and performance.

Researchers: activation of androgen receptors promotes reducing fat accumulation

A late study has showed that glucocorticosteroids promote increasing fat storage. These natural substances have direct influence on androgen receptors which reduce body fat levels.
This study is especially valuable in our era, when numerous individuals experience obesity. According to affirmations of certain scientists, it is necessary to reduce amount of glucocorticosteroids in order to avoid or cure obesity.
When scientists conducted this study, they had the following goal: they wanted to comprehend ways, causes and stages of development of fat deposits. Basing on results of the research, the specialists have claimed that androgen receptors should be activated in order to lower 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 capable to manage creation of muscle mass, increase hard muscles, etc.
According to the specialists, glucocorticosteroids decrease activity of androgen receptors. Thus, they become inefficacious to control creation of muscle mass and reduction of fat accumulation. That’s why fat deposits increase especially in abdominal area.
The experts affirm that this research is capable to promote introducing new ways to treat and prevent obesity. The new treatment strategies will be linked with glucocorticosteroids and androgen receptors.

British steroid law may influence on health of steroid users negatively

British people are not allowed to order steroids online. Importation of steroids into the UK is claimed 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 use steroids.
According to the “personal custody”, those that arrived to London for the Olympics were allowed to import steroids for personal usage. It was not considered to be illegal under British laws. Nevertheless, those that live inside the UK don’t have any right to buy steroids at online drug stores and import them from other countries to the UK.
Earlier British citizens 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 steroid users. But is the amendment able to do it?
A lot of underground labs produce anabolic steroids inside the UK. They prosper because of the amendment. But it is necessary to consider that a lot of underground labs produce fake steroids. So, British citizens have to obtain steroids of low quality because it is forbidden to import steroids which are produced outside the country by trustworthy pharmaceutical companies.
The government informed Needle-Syringe Program (NSP) workers that they would have to work more. It was confirmed that the amendment would increase the number of steroid users.
In fact, the amendment is likely to have negative influence on health of steroid users. Steroid-using sportspeople and bodybuilders may get dangerous undesirable results because they switch from quality steroids manufactured by safe pharmaceutical companies to worse preparations manufactured by underground labs located in the UK.

Wikipedia serves source of information about steroids for feds

Federal prosecutors don’t have sufficient knowledge about anabolic steroids, however they pursue those who manufacture, apply and/or sell these drugs. They don’t study scientific literature about these medications. The government utilizes information which is presented in Wikipedia. However federal prosecutors speak about side results of steroids, they don’t know about these conditions sufficiently. Citing affirmations about steroids presented in Wikipedia, they punish consumers/manufacturers/distributors of these products, claiming that these preparations represent evil.
Several important questions appear here: Is it correct to base upon statements presented in Wikipedia in such cases? Are these affirmations true? Aren’t they exposed to manipulations? Aren’t they mixed with individual opinions of sponsors?
Maurice Hall, the associate professor of communication and culture at Villanova University, claims that it is not reasonable to base entirely upon affirmations written in Wikipedia. He confirms that Wikipedia serves an excellent guide for footnotes. But statements provided in Wikipedia may be not true completely.
For example, when John Isaac Hudelson was sentenced to prison, federal prosecutors based their conclusions related to illegal operations of this person upon statements cited from Wikipedia. Feds affirmed that Hudelson would be sentenced 47-54 months in prison because he used and distributed steroids. Stephen Greubel, the defense attorney for Hudelson, claimed that 47-54 months in jail were too much for his client. He claimed that Hudelson distributed steroids, medications that differed from such drugs, as amphetamine, methamphetamine, codeine, morphine, etc. Stephen Greubel affirmed that steroids didn’t cause addiction.
Federal prosecutors affirmed that John Isaac Hudelson manufactured, took and distributed steroids to his friends. They affirmed that while steroids didn’t lead to addiction, desire to become muscular could be addictive. Moreover, they added that steroids could cause dangerous side effects. All statements of federal prosecutors were based upon those presented in Wikipedia.
Ultimately, the government sent Isaac John Hudelson to 37-month imprisonment.

Intake of steroids by athletes without being caught

Tyler Hamilton and Daniel Coyle have published a book related to administration of EPO and anabolic steroids. Tips presented in the book can serve as a proof that the cyclist Lance Armstrong administered forbidden medicines. 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 guidelines linked with intake of EPO and steroids in cycling and methods to avoid detection. It shows that drug testing is not efficient in this sport.
Tyler Hamilton confirms that sportspeople can take steroids without being caught. He notes that the WADA doesn’t have any chance to win. Hamilton indicates weakness of the WADA in testing sportspersons for forbidden drugs.
According to Hamilton, it is not difficult to avoid detection while administering EPO. It is necessary to apply the procedure “microdosing”. What does it really mean? Athletes should not inject 2,000 Units of EPO under the skin each 3rd or 4th day. They must inject 400-500 Units of EPO every 3-4 nights into veins. This method is named “microdosing”. Utilizing this way of intake, sportpersons can avoid detection without any great effort.
Since microdosing is a proper method to avoid detection while applying EPO, this method must be proper in case of steroid use too. So, Tyler Hamilton suggests that cyclists and other sportspersons can avoid detection while using anabolic steroids. He provides recommendations linked with this issue in details in the book.  The author describes how it is possible to hit drug testing of anti-doping system.
In fact, it is unlikely that recommendations provided in Tyler’s book will alter essence of cycling. While introduction of the biological passport into anti-doping system can’t stop doping, elaboration of microdosing into application of EPO doesn’t represent the new beginning of doping in cycling. Recommendations of Hamilton may alter only the essence of doping in this sport. Application of doping products is a part of cycling. Let notice the truth. Like Santa Claus doesn’t exist at the high level.

Three types 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 medications, etc. They are recommended for treatment of inflammations, allergic reactions, disorders of respiratory, nervous, musculoskeletal and other systems.
Estrogens and progestogens are female sex hormones. These substances induce developing female secondary features. Birth control remedies contain these hormones.
Anabolic-androgenic steroids are medications that are also widely used in medicine. They have capacity to cure certain types of breast cancer, cancer of testicles, anemia, etc. These medications are frequently prescribed to get better and faster recovery after certain surgeries. Burn victims, patients with HIV/AIDS take anabolic-androgenic steroids in order to prevent muscle loss. Some steroids are also prescribed for treatment of osteoporosis. These remedies are also indicated in case of infertility.
Moreover, anabolic-androgenic steroids are applied for athletic needs. These drugs have ability to stimulate muscle growth and induce increasing strength. That’s why numerous sportspersons and bodybuilders administer them for performance-enhancing effects. Some anabolic-androgenic steroids are able also to promote burning fat, making muscles hard.
Application of anabolic-androgenic steroids for non-medical purposes is forbidden under laws of certain countries. Those that manufacture, sell, purchase and use these medications illegally may be sentenced to prison and/or fines. These medications belong to illicit substances in some countries because they may cause various side reactions. While several negative results are mild and disappear after discontinuation of usage, others are sever and even irreversible. Those that desire to acquire benefits, using steroids for therapeutic needs, should take these medicines under guidelines of physicians.

Anna Watson doesn’t want to succeed with anabolic steroids

When it is said about cheerleaders, we imagine active and thin women. But we should understand that sometimes the reality differs from our imagination. Anna Watson is an example in this case. She has amazing muscles. But she is very beautiful.
Elite Model Management offered her a $75000 contract. But she refused to obtain it. Actually, it is surprisingly because numerous ladies dream to get such contracts. But she didn’t desire to get it because she had to take steroids for this purpose.
When Anna Watson entered Hawaii Pacific University, she started weight lifting. She trained hardly and consumed about 3000 calorie per day. Ultimately she was able to lift 230 pounds. But her weight was not enough to obtain a modeling fitness contract. However she consumed much protein, she could not gain necessary pounds.
A modeling agent said that Anavar could help her to add weight. Anna Watson needed to gain 50 pounds in order to obtain the contract. Thus, she started taking the steroid Anavar in order to enhance body mass. The cheerleader was eating “forever”, even if she wasn’t’ hungry. Despites of her efforts, nutrition regimen and administration of the steroid Anavar, she could not get 50 pounds. The cheerleader gained only 10 pounds.
Anna Watson is a religious person. She attends a local church. Finally, she made a decision to ask a weight lifting champion for advice. Hugh Kirby that is also a member of the church has recommended her to be far from intake of steroids. He claimed that these medicines could cause different side results. This person also mentioned that steroids could lead to infertility. So, Hugh Kirby confirmed that it would be better to refuse the contract instead of getting health troubles, especially infertility.
So, the cheerleader Anna Watson didn’t agree to get the contract. But she decided to continue her trainings. The cheerleader is studying to become a personal trainer.
In fact, the cheerleader made a proper decision. It is reasonable to keep female characteristics without a modeling contract instead of obtaining the contract and suffering from effects of virilization owing to intake of steroids.

Steroid dealers should serve time in prison

However it is illegal to sell anabolic steroids in some countries, some steroid dealers are not sanctioned appropriately. For example, lately two individuals that distributed steroids illegally avoided imprisonment. They were sentenced just to work some hours. Although these individuals advertised and sold steroids per internet, they avoided imprisonment successfully. These persons distributed products that could destroy health of consumers. That’s why they had to be punished more harshly.
A lot of users of steroids don’t know anything about dangers connected with them. They don’t know that administration of steroids may result in several health problems. It is necessary to consider 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 experience abnormal development of breast tissues, abnormal fat distribution, fluid retention, etc. Of course, gynecomastia is very unpleasant effect for males. Sometimes it can’t be cured with products. So, it may require a surgery.
Some steroids are dangerous for women. They may cause effects of maculinization in them. Thus, several females that use androgenic steroids have deep voice, excessive hair growth on the body, male-pattern baldness, menstrual irregularities, infertility, etc.
Many steroids may influence on liver negatively. They may cause liver disorders. If anyone has had liver troubles before application of steroids, these medicines may lead to more serious complications.
Nonetheless, nobody can doubt about benefits which can be gotten owing to intake of steroids. These products induce creating new muscle tissues. They also enhance existing muscles. Moreover, these drugs help to gain endurance. Several steroids promote fat burning, making muscle harder.
However probable benefits of steroids are great, it is necessary to consider probable adverse reactions. It is confirmed that steroids may lead to depression and abnormal aggressiveness. So, several users of these medications commit various crimes. While some consumers may commit suicides, others violate, murder other persons.
Steroids may cause also other unwanted results that are not enumerated in the article. People should know what they take. Those who distribute these products illegally should be sentenced properly.

Football players are not blamed for doping

A lot of articles note about administration of steroids in baseball. Sportswriters and journalists describe steroid scandals which take place in this sport. It is widely discussed about steroid era in baseball. Professional baseball players are required to submit to numerous drug tests. It seems that each person interested in sports blames baseball players for administration of performance-enhancing drugs. Do only baseball players apply steroids and other related medicines? What do you suggest about football players? Don’t they dope? Why do we demonize only baseball players for intake of forbidden medications?
Administration of doping products is widespread among football players. Since 1960s usage of performance-enhancing drugs has an essential role in this sport. It is impossible to imagine football without usage of steroids and other related substances.
Strength and size are substantial aspects in football. Several people believe that football players have great strength just because of hard workouts and appropriate nutrition. But it is a wrong opinion. A lot of football players administer forbidden medications in order to add strength and increase muscle size.
As you notice, intake of forbidden medicines is widespread in football. Nonetheless, baseball players are more widely demonized for intake of steroids and other related products. 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 took prohibited drugs. Nevertheless, they were not so widely demonized, as dopers in baseball.
Moreover, it is necessary to take in consideration that application of steroids is related to more risks in football.
It is affirmed that football is unlikely to be free from doping.

Numerous teens take anabolic steroids

Teens’ addiction to anabolic steroids becomes a great problem today. Why do teenagers take these medicines? They do it in order to enhance their muscles, decrease fat deposits and improve quality of muscles. They want to make their bodies more attractive. In fact, teenagers take these medications because they desire to look like models, sports stars and heroes. Since teenagers want to be celebrated so, as well-known sportspersons are, they put efforts to improve their physique and performance with anabolic steroids.
But teens don’t take into account some important aspects in this case. Firstly, professional athletes and bodybuilders ask doctors for guidelines. Thus, physicians explain how they should use steroids. That’s why application of anabolic steroids by celebrated sportspersons is relatively safe. When it comes to adolescents, they don’t know what they use; they don’t know how steroids should be taken. Secondly, the process of development is not over in teenagers. That’s why steroids may be dangerous for them. Anabolic steroids may destroy functions of reproductive, cardiovascular and other systems in adolescents.
Unfortunately, a lot of teens administer anabolic steroids. Some surveys of the Michigan University display that the number of steroid users in high schools continues to enhance.
Moreover, it is not a problem to purchase these remedies. High schools students obtain steroids without substantial efforts.
As a result, certain teenagers become addicted to steroids. While several teens try to cease applying these medications, they can’t do it. Actually, it is quite difficult to get rid of this addiction. Addicted consumers of steroids can’t stop administering these medications without help of high-qualified specialists. They must stay in special centers of rehabilitation where well-trained experts help them to escape from the addiction.
It is important to educate teenagers about risks connected with anabolic steroids. Teens should be aware not only of positive effects of these remedies. They should be educated also about adverse effects of these products. If schoolchildren and high school students don’t know about dark sides of steroids, they will use these products. Ultimately, their systems will be destroyed. If the society doesn’t care about adolescents, they will suffer from many health problems.

Drug tests become more progressive

While sportspeople that dope find new methods to avoid detection, anti-doping agencies introduce new techniques in order to catch those that apply prohibited products. One of new tools introduced into anti-doping system is biological passport. It helps to determine whether a sportsperson has applied any banned substance. The biological passport measures certain biomarkers that can indicate whether a person has taken certain medicines. Thus, it can measure hemoglobin levels. Unexplained low or enhanced hemoglobin levels may indicate doping. Thus, the biological passport determines physical changes that play significant role in detection.
It is clear that anti-doping policy becomes more sophisticated. It develops new tools to catch dopers and clean sports.
If you compare drug tests that have been applied earlier with those which are applied today, you can notice that the difference is significant. Anti-doping efforts are great. Drug testing becomes more progressive.
It was also created a test for detection of CERA. This product was originally created in order to cure anemia associated with kidney disorders. Since earlier there was not any drug test that 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 athlete had applied CERA. As a result, Rashid Ramzi was stripped of his awards.
Earlier it was hard and even quite impossible to catch those that applied HGH. Recently a blood test for this product was also created.
Another new drug test, known as Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry, was also recently developed. This test helps to determine whether testosterone has been administered from outsides or it has been produced in the body naturally.
So, anti-doping system is more sophisticated today. Anti-doping officials suppose that they will be able to clean sports from administration of performance-enhancing drugs.

Anti-doping systems fail

Lance Armstrong never tested positive for any forbidden substance. But the sportsman lost his seven Tour de France titles because the USADA suspected him of doping.
You can notice that intake of banned preparations is claimed to be a last sin of professional athletes. They are sentenced to ban from competitions, if they are found guilty or just suspected of doping.
For example, the British sprinter Dwain Chambers was banned because he tested positive for tetrahydrogestrinone. This sportsperson confirmed that he was not the only Olympic  sprinter that took steroids. According to his affirmations, many runners of the US racing team applied forbidden drugs.
Some persons are probably bothered by reading articles about war on administration of prohibited drugs in sports. It seems that the fight never ends. Although anti-doping agencies put great efforts in order to eradicate doping from professional sports, a lot of athletes continue administering banned medications. It is impossible to eradicate doping. It seems that it is better to legalize usage of doping products. Let sportspeople apply whatever they want!
Athletes break more splendid records from one year to another. It may require to measure thousandths of a second in order to set who the winner is. It seems that it will be impossible to determine with a naked eye the fastest sprinters. That’s why some experts fear that it will be too difficult to keep sports interesting.
Several specialists recognize that anti-doping systems fail. Sportspersons who have never tested positive for any forbidden preparation are sentenced to lifetime suspensions. Drug tests can’t induce catching those that use steroids and/or other performance-enhancing drugs.
Doping reigns in sports. Almost each winner of Tour de France has been involved in a doping case.
The society has great expectations. Sportspersons 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 demonized for athletes’ doping. Not only sportspersons should be blamed for intake of banned substances. The society makes such culture where athletes can’t be at the top without administration of certain preparations. That’s why it is necessary to stop demonizing athletes. It is better to permit doping in sports. Every sport must compose own list of forbidden medicines. Just preparations that are harmful to certain sport itself should be banned. Let take the sport of boxing as an example. This sport should prohibit just those preparations that remove fear because removing of fear in this sport is against its nature.

Pharmaceutical companies profit by doping cases

One may think that steroid scandals must influence negatively on manufacture of these preparations. But manufacturers of these drugs find ways to take advantages of various steroid scandals. Thus, pharmaceutical companies use them in order to promote selling own medicines.
Let take as an example the doping case related to the former baseball player Barry Bonds. Although one may suggest that this steroid scandal must suppress purchase of some preparations, the reality has displayed opposite things. The pharmaceutical company Abbott Laboratories could draw advantage of the case. The company found a lot of opportunities to advertise transdermal testosterone because of the accusations connected with Barry Bonds’ doping.
It was said that the former baseball player Barry Bonds applied the transdermal testosterone product “AndroGel”. Undoubtedly, numerous reporters published articles 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 utilizing this gel. This situation influenced on profits of Abbot Laboratories positively. According to certain sources, the profits of the company turned out to be great.
Testosterone products are widely recommended and applied. Many people take them for hormone replacement therapy. The number of steroid prescriptions has enhanced by 90 % during last 5 years. Thus, the number of those that use steroids is growing.
The pharmaceutical company Abbott Laboratories produces and sells the testosterone product “AndroGel”. Since other companies noticed that testosterone gel was in high demand, they also began to manufacture it. Thus, such products, as  AndroDream and Axiron, appeared. While AndroDream is produced by Watson Pharmaceuticals, Axiron is sold by Eli Lilly.
Pharmaceutical companies advertise their drugs. They affirm that steroids have positive influence on males’ health. Undoubtedly, any company sees that since many men suffer from testosterone deficiency and since these preparations are effective for increase of muscle mass and energy, the number of potential clients is great.

Application of inhaled steroids in case of mild-to-moderate asthma

Inhaled corticosteroids are medicines that are administered in case of asthma by kids and adults. Individuals that have mild, moderate and severe asthma take these medications every day. These medicines prevent inflammation of the airways. Physicians supervise persons with this disease, regulating dosage schedule each 6 weeks.
Unfortunately, inhaled corticosteroids, like other preparations, may lead to undesirable results. Regular application of these drugs is associated with several risks. Is there any method for persons with asthma to prevent these problems?
A recent study has manifested that doctors should not recommend using these medications daily to individuals with mild-to-moderate asthma. This study turned out to be very valuable. It is likely to alter guidelines connected with treatment of asthma.
The research was conducted by specialists of the Texas Medical Brach in Galveston. The doctor William Calhoun and his colleagues enrolled 340 persons with asthma in the study. Several persons were given inhaled steroids each day; others used these drugs, when symptoms of asthma attacks appeared. Bronchial reactivity and functions of lungs were measured by the doctors during nine months. The results of the study manifested that there was not any significant difference between these two groups.
According to the scientists, if inhaled corticosteroids are applied, when symptoms occur, exacerbation can be prevented. Moreover, these products have prolonged action. It means that positive effects are felt even several days after usage. The specialists suggest that these products may be administered by persons with mild-to-moderate asthma only when symptoms appear.
Why is this study valuable? According to certain sources, 25 million Americans experience asthma. Of course, they must be treated. This piece of news must be valuable for them. Moreover, if inhaled corticosteroids are taken prolonged time, they may lead to severe negative results, such as hormonal imbalance, cataract, etc. So, if individuals that suffer from mild-to-moderate asthma don’t administer these products each day, they are more unlikely to get these negative effects.
Of course, it is early to change indications linked with treatment of asthma. But this research may induce conducting further studies that may lead to some changes.