What should teenagers know about steroid abuse?

Leslie Henderson cares about teenagers. She is troubled because a lot of adolescents apply anabolic steroids that may be dangerous for them. These drugs may make teenagers aggressive. Furthermore, steroids may affect various systems of consumers. According to Leslie Henderson, the most dangerous aspect connected with intake of these drugs by teenagers is following: these medicines influence on the brain negatively. They destroy not only functions of the brain; they also alter the way it acts.
Anabolic steroids have been developed in order to treat several illnesses. These medications are capable to promote development of secondary male characteristics in males with delayed puberty. They are capable to prevent muscle wasting in individuals that suffer from HIV/AIDS and other health problems. But these drugs are also often abused. They are applied for enhancement of muscle mass and energy. When doctors recommend taking steroids to treat certain illnesses, they indicate relatively decreased quantities that don’t cause grave undesirable consequences. When these drugs are administered for performance-enhancing effects, measures are high. But it is necessary to know that high doses may cause grave undesirable results.
Non-clinical intake of steroids is very dangerous for adolescents. Their systems have not been yet developed. That’s why these preparations may lead to irreversible changes in them. Steroids may affect their physical as well psychological health of adolescents. As a result, adverse consequences of steroids are seen in them not only during adolescence but also when they grow up. If adult persons abuse steroids, they usually don’t suffer from such long-term serious side reactions, as teenagers experience. That’s why Leslie Henderson and other experts claim that it is important to educate adolescents about negative impact of steroids on them. They should know about all possible risks. If teenagers know about serious adverse effects of steroids, they will probably stop taking these drugs for improvement of physique and performance.

Precious study linked with development of obesity

A late research has manifested that glucocorticosteroids induce developing fat storage. These compounds have direct influence on androgen receptors that are responsible for reduction of body fat levels.
This research is especially valuable in our era, when a lot of people experience obesity. According to affirmations of certain scientists, it is required to decrease amount of glucocorticosteroids in order to avoid or treat obesity.
When specialists conducted this research, they had the following goal: they desired to understand ways, reasons and stages of development of fat levels. Basing upon results of the research, the specialists have confirmed that androgen receptors should be activated in order to reduce fat accumulation. So, obesity could be treated even at the early stages of development.
The androgen testosterone binds itself to androgen receptors. Thus, androgen receptors become capable to control development of muscle mass, enhance hard muscles, etc.
According to the researchers, glucocorticosteroids inhibit activity of androgen receptors. So, they become unable to control development of muscle mass and decrease of fat accumulation. That’s why fat is stored especially in abdominal area.
The specialists confirm that this research can induce elaborating new ways to cure and prevent obesity. The new treatment strategies will be related to glucocorticosteroids and androgen receptors.

Number of steroid users will raise in UK

British citizens are not allowed to purchase steroids via internet. Importation of steroids into the UK is considered to be illicit under a new amendment to the steroid law. Those that live in the UK and import steroids into the country are punished. But Britons may freely get, possess and administer steroids.
According to the “personal custody”, those that arrived to London for the 2012 Olympic Games were allowed to import steroids for personal intake. It was not claimed to be criminal under British laws. Nevertheless, 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 citizens were allowed to obtain steroids from outside the country. The amendment was recommended by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) in order to protect health of those that take steroids. But is the amendment able to do it?
Numerous underground labs manufacture anabolic steroids inside the UK. They prosper on account of the amendment. But it is important to take in consideration that numerous underground labs manufacture fake steroids. Thus, British citizens have to buy steroids of low quality because it is forbidden to import steroids that are produced outside the country by trustworthy pharmaceutical companies.
Authorities informed Needle-Syringe Program (NSP) workers that they would have to work more. It was noted that the amendment would increase the number of steroid users.
Actually, the amendment is likely to influence on health of steroid users negatively. Steroid-using sportspersons and bodybuilders may get serious negative effects because they switch from quality steroids produced by safe pharmaceutical companies to worse medicines manufactured by underground labs located in the UK.

Federal prosecutors: desire to become more muscular may be addictive

Federal prosecutors don’t have sufficient knowledge about anabolic steroids, although they pursue those that manufacture, apply and/or distribute these drugs. They don’t read scientific literature about these drugs. The government uses information that is presented in Wikipedia. However feds speak about unwanted results of steroids, they don’t know about these aspects sufficiently. Citing statements about steroids provided in Wikipedia, they punish consumers/manufacturers/distributors of these products, confirming that these products represent evil.
Certain important questions appear here: Is it fair to base upon information written in Wikipedia in such cases? Are these affirmations true? Aren’t they exposed to manipulations? Aren’t they mixed with personal opinions of contributors?
Maurice Hall, the associate professor of communication and culture at Villanova University, claims that it is not reasonable to base entirely upon affirmations presented in Wikipedia. He claims that Wikipedia serves an excellent guide for footnotes. But information presented in Wikipedia may be not true completely.
For example, when John Isaac Hudelson was sentenced to prison, federal prosecutors based their conclusions connected with illicit operations of this person upon statements cited from Wikipedia. Federal prosecutors confirmed that Hudelson would be sentenced 47-54 months in jail because he took and distributed steroids. Stephen Greubel, the defense attorney for Hudelson, confirmed that 47-54 months in jail were too much for his client. He claimed that Hudelson sold steroids, preparations that differed from such drugs, as amphetamine, methamphetamine, codeine, morphine, etc. The defense attorney affirmed that steroids didn’t cause addiction.
Federal prosecutors noted that John Isaac Hudelson manufactured, applied and distributed steroids to his friends. They confirmed that while steroids didn’t lead to addiction, desire to be muscular could be addictive. Moreover, they added that steroids could cause dangerous unwanted results. All affirmations of feds were based upon those written in Wikipedia.
Ultimately, the government sent Isaac John Hudelson to 37 months in prison.

Tyler Hamilton presents recommendations linked with intake of doping products

Tyler Hamilton and Daniel Coyle have written a book related to intake of EPO and anabolic steroids. Tips described in the book can prove that the 7-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong took forbidden medications. The book has the following title: “The Secret Race: Inside the Hidden World of the Tour de France: Doping, Cover-ups, and Winning at all Costs”. The book contains recommendations related to usage of EPO and steroids in cycling and methods to avoid detection. It manifests that drug testing is not efficacious in this sport.
Tyler Hamilton confirms that athletes can apply steroids without being detected. The author affirms that the WADA doesn’t have any chance to win. Hamilton describes weakness of the WADA in testing sportspersons for banned medications.
According to Hamilton, it is not difficult to avoid detection while taking EPO. It is needed to utilize the procedure “microdosing”. What does it actually represent? Athletes should not introduce 2,000 Units of EPO subcutaneously each 3-4 days. They must introduce 400-500 Units of EPO every 3rd or 4th night intravenously. This method is named “microdosing”. Applying this way of intake, athletes can avoid detection without any trouble.
Since microdosing is a suitable method to avoid detection while administering EPO, this method must be suitable in case of steroid use as well. So, Tyler Hamilton suggests that cyclists and other sportspersons can avoid detection while using anabolic steroids. He provides tips linked with this issue in details in the book.  Hamilton explains how it is possible to hit tests of anti-doping agencies.
In fact, it is unlikely that recommendations presented in Tyler’s book will change essence of cycling. While elaboration of the biological passport by anti-doping agencies can’t stop doping, elaboration of microdosing into administration of EPO doesn’t mean the new beginning of doping in cycling. Tips of Hamilton may alter just the nature of doping in this sport. Intake of doping products is a part of cycling. Let see the truth. Like there is no Santa Claus, there is no clean sport at the high level.

Legal and illegal usage of steroids

Steroids may be classified into 3 groups: corticosteroids, estrogens and progestogens, and anabolic-androgenic steroids.
Essence of corticosteroids is similar to that of hormones produced in the adrenal cortex. Corticosteroids may be in form of creams, ointment, inhalation medications, etc. They are recommended to cure inflammations, allergic reactions, disorders of respiratory, nervous, musculoskeletal and other systems.
Estrogens and progestogens represent female sex hormones. These substances promote developing female secondary features. Birth control remedies contain these substances.
Anabolic-androgenic steroids represent medicines which are also widely used in medicine. They have capacity to treat some types of breast cancer, testicular cancer, anemia, etc. These products are often recommended to receive better and faster recovery after some surgeries. Burn victims, persons with HIV/AIDS apply anabolic-androgenic steroids in order to avoid muscle loss. Some steroids are also administered to cure osteoporosis. These remedies are also administered in case of infertility.
Furthermore, anabolic-androgenic steroids are administered for athletic purposes. These medicines are able to stimulate muscle growth and enhance endurance. That’s why numerous athletes and bodybuilders administer them for performance-enhancing effects. Certain anabolic-androgenic steroids are capable also to induce loosing fat, making muscles defined.
Intake of anabolic-androgenic steroids for non-medical purposes is illegal under laws of certain countries. Those who manufacture, sell, buy and administer these medications illegally may be sentenced to jail and/or fines. These products belong to illegal preparations in some countries because they may cause different adverse consequences. While several negative consequences are slight and disappear after discontinuation of application, others are grave and even irreversible. Those that want to receive benefits, using steroids for clinical purposes, should administer these drugs under indications of physicians.

Anna Watson refused to take steroids

When it is mentioned about cheerleaders, we imagine active and slim women. But we have to recognize that sometimes the reality differs from our imagination. Anna Watson is an example in this case. She has great muscles. But she is very nice.
A fitness modeling agency offered her a $75000 contract. But she refused to obtain it. Actually, it is surprisingly because numerous ladies want to get such contracts. But she didn’t want to obtain it because she had to administer steroids for this need.
When Anna Watson entered her fist college in Hawaii Pacific, she started weight lifting. She trained hardly and consumed circa 3000 calorie per day. Ultimately she had capacity to lift 230 pounds. But her weight was insufficient 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 gain weight. Anna Watson had to gain 50 pounds in order to get the contract. So, she began to use the steroid Anavar in order to enhance body mass. She was eating “forever”, even if she wasn’t’ hungry. Despites of her efforts, consumption of much food and intake of Anavar, she was not able to get 50 pounds. The cheerleader added only 10 pounds.
The cheerleader Anna Watson is a religious person. She is a member of a church. Finally, she decided to ask a weight lifting champion for recommendations. Hugh Kirby that is also a member of the church has advised her to stay far from administration of steroids. He noted that these medicines could cause various unwanted effects. This person also added that steroids could cause infertility. So, Hugh Kirby claimed that it would be better to refuse the contract instead of experiencing health problems, especially infertility.
Thus, Anna Watson didn’t agree to get the contract. But she decided to continue her workouts. Anna Watson wants to become a personal trainer.
In fact, the cheerleader made an appropriate decision. It is reasonable to keep female features without a modeling contract instead of getting the contract and experiencing effects of virilization because of steroids.

Steroid dealers avoid punishment

Although it is illegal to distribute anabolic steroids in certain countries, several steroid dealers are not sanctioned properly. For example, recently two persons who distributed steroids illegally avoided prison. They were sentenced just to work certain hours. Although these persons advertised and sold steroids per internet, they avoided prison successfully. These persons sold drugs which could destroy health of users. That’s why they had to be punished more harshly.
Many consumers of steroids know nothing about risks related to them. They don’t know that application of steroids may lead to some health troubles. It is important to take into account that several steroids are aromatizable. It means that they may turn into estrogen, enhancing levels of this hormone. As a result, male users of such steroids may suffer from gynecomastia, abnormal fat distribution, fluid retention, etc. Of course, gynecomastia is very unpleasant effect for men. Sometimes it can’t be cured with products. Thus, it may require an operation.
Certain steroids are dangerous for women. They may lead to signs of masculinization in them. Thus, certain women that use androgenic steroids have deep voice, hirsutism, male-pattern baldness, menstrual irregularities, infertility, etc.
A lot of steroids may influence on liver negatively. They may cause liver diseases. If anyone has had liver problems before intake of steroids, these drugs may lead to severer complications.
Nonetheless, nobody can doubt about positive effects that can be acquired owing to application of steroids. These products promote creating new muscle tissues. They also enhance existing muscles. Moreover, these preparations help to add endurance. Several steroids promote fat loss, making muscle more defined.
Although probable benefits of steroids are amazing, it is important to consider potential side results. It is affirmed that steroids may cause depression and abnormal aggressiveness. Thus, some users of these preparations commit various crimes. While several consumers may commit suicides, others violate, kill other persons.
Steroids may lead also to other negative consequences which are not listed in the article. People should be aware of what they administer. Those that distribute these medicines illegally should be sentenced properly.

Steroids in football

Many articles note about intake of steroids in baseball. Sportswriters and journalists describe steroid scandals that 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 every individual interested in sports blames baseball players for application of doping products. Do only baseball players administer steroids and other related medicines? What do you believe about football players? Don’t they dope? Why do we blame just baseball players for intake of prohibited medications?
Application of doping products is widespread among football players. Since 1960s application of performance-enhancing drugs has an essential role in this sport. It is difficult to imagine football without administration 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 trainings and proper nutrition. But it is a wrong opinion. A lot of football players apply forbidden preparations in order to acquire strength and enhance muscle size.
As you see, intake of forbidden products is widespread in football. Nevertheless, baseball players are more widely criticized for intake of steroids and other doping products. Such baseball players, as Jose Canseco, Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds were subjected to public shame because of doping. But such football players, as Lyle Alzado, Shawne Merriman, Chris Cooper and Thomas Romanowski, also took forbidden drugs. Nevertheless, they were not so widely demonized, as dopers in baseball.
Moreover, it is necessary to consider that intake of steroids is more dangerous in football.
It is claimed that football is unlikely to be cleaned from doping.

Risks linked to steroids for teenagers

Teens’ addiction to anabolic steroids becomes a significant problem today. Why do teens use these medicines? They do it in order to increase their muscles, decrease fat deposits and make muscles defined. They want to be more attractive. Actually, adolescents take these medications because they desire to look like models, sports stars and heroes. Since adolescents want to be famous so, as well-known athletes are, they try to improve their physique and performance with anabolic steroids.
But teenagers don’t take into account several important factors in this case. Firstly, professional athletes and bodybuilders ask physicians for guidelines. Thus, doctors explain how they should take steroids. That’s why usage of anabolic steroids by celebrated athletes is relatively safe. As for 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 adolescents. That’s why steroids may be dangerous for them. Anabolic steroids may destruct functions of reproductive, cardiovascular and other systems in teenagers.
Unfortunately, numerous teenagers use anabolic steroids. Several surveys of the Michigan University manifest that the number of steroid users in high schools continues to enhance.
Moreover, it is not a problem to buy these medications. High schools students obtain steroids without significant efforts.
As a result, certain teenagers become addicted to steroids. While several teenagers try to stop applying these drugs, they can’t do it. Actually, it is quite difficult to get rid of this addiction. Addicted steroid users can’t stop applying these drugs without help of high-qualified specialists. They must stay in special centers of rehabilitation where well-trained experts help them to get rid of the addiction.
It is important to teach adolescents about dangers linked with anabolic steroids. Teenagers should know not only about positive effects of these remedies. They should be taught also about side consequences of these medicines. If schoolchildren and high school students don’t know about dark sides of steroids, they will take these medications. Ultimately, their systems will be destructed. If the society doesn’t worry about teens, they will experience many health troubles.

New efficient tools introduced into anti-doping system

While athletes that dope seek new ways to avoid detection, anti-doping agencies develop new tools in order to catch those who take forbidden substances. One of new techniques introduced into anti-doping system is biological passport. It helps to define whether a sportsperson has used any prohibited product. The biological passport measures certain biomarkers that may indicate whether an individual has applied certain products. Thus, it can measure hemoglobin levels. Unexplained decreased or high hemoglobin levels may indicate doping. So, the biological passport defines physical changes which play great role in detection.
It is obvious that anti-doping system becomes more advanced. It creates new ways to catch dopers and clean sports.
If you compare drug tests that have been used earlier with those which are applied nowadays, you can see that the difference is great. Anti-doping efforts are essential. Drug testing becomes more advanced.
It was also developed a test for detection of CERA. This medicine was initially developed in order to cure anemia related to kidney diseases. Since earlier there was not any drug test that could determine metabolites of this substance, Rashid Ramzi of Bahrain avoided detection at the Beijing Olympics. Recently his sample was re-tested by this new test. Anti-doping officials defined that this sportsman had applied CERA. As a result, he forfeited his awards.
Earlier it was difficult and even quite impossible to catch those who applied HGH. Recently a blood test for this preparation was also introduced.
Another new drug test, known as Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry, was also lately created. This test helps to set whether testosterone has been taken from outsides or it has been secreted in the body naturally.
Thus, anti-doping system is more advanced nowadays. Anti-doping officials believe that they will be able to make sports free from administration of performance-enhancing drugs.

Sports can’t exist without doping

The cyclist Lance Armstrong never tested positive for any forbidden substance. But the sportsman was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles because the USADA accused him of doping.
You may see that usage of forbidden products is considered to be a last sin of professional athletes. They are suspended, if they are found guilty or only suspected of doping.
For example, the British sprinter Dwain Chambers was suspended because he tested positive for tetrahydrogestrinone. This sportsperson claimed that he was not the only Olympic  sprinter who took steroids. According to him, numerous runners of the US racing team used forbidden medications.
Several persons are probably bothered by reading articles about war on application of banned products in sports. It seems that the fight never ends. Although anti-doping agencies put great efforts in order to eradicate doping from professional sports, numerous athletes continue using prohibited preparations. It is impossible to eradicate doping. It seems that it is better to legalize doping. Let sportspeople apply whatever they desire!
Sportspeople break greater 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 several experts fear that it will be too difficult to keep sports interesting.
Some specialists realize that anti-doping systems fail. Sportspersons who have never tested positive for any banned medicine are sentenced to lifetime suspensions. Drug tests can’t induce catching those that take steroids and/or other performance-enhancing drugs.
Doping plays a great role in sports. Almost each athlete that won Tour de France was involved in a doping case.
The society has great expectations. Athletes should push their bodies till the limits in order to win. They have to administer steroids and/or other doping products in order to keep their reputations and not disappoint fans. The society should be demonized for athletes’ doping. Not only athletes should be demonized for usage of banned products. The society creates such culture where sportspersons can’t win without administration of certain substances. That’s why it is necessary to stop demonizing athletes. It is better to permit doping in sports. Each sport should compose own list of banned medicines. Just medicines which are harmful to certain sport itself must be prohibited. Let take boxing as an example. This sport must ban just those substances which take away fear because removing of fear in this sport is against its spirit.

Pharmaceutical companies don’t suffer on account of steroid scandals

It seems that steroid scandals must have negative influence on pharmaceutical companies that manufacture these products. But manufacturers of these medicines find ways to take advantages of different steroid scandals. So, pharmaceutical companies use them in order to advertise own drugs.
Let take as an example the doping case linked with the former MLB player Barry Bonds. Although one may believe that this steroid scandal must suppress purchase of certain drugs, the reality has demonstrated opposite things. The pharmaceutical company Abbott Laboratories could take advantage of the case. The company found many possibilities to advertise transdermal testosterone because of the accusations linked with Barry Bonds’ doping.
It was confirmed that the former baseball player Barry Bonds applied the testosterone gel “AndroGel”. Undoubtedly, numerous journalists published news about this case. The pharmaceutical company Abbott Laboratories used this public fight and began 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 administered. A lot of persons apply them for testosterone replacement therapy. The number of steroid prescriptions has increased by 90 % during last 5 years. Thus, the number of those that take steroids is growing.
The pharmaceutical company Abbott Laboratories produces and sells the testosterone product “AndroGel”. Since other companies saw that testosterone gel was in high demand, they also started to manufacture it. So, such medications, as  AndroDream and Axiron, appeared. While AndroDream is offered for sale by Watson Pharmaceuticals, Axiron is sold by Eli Lilly.
Pharmaceutical companies advertise their medicines. They claim that steroids improve men’s health. It is obvious that any company sees that since many men have insufficient production of testosterone and since these medications are efficacious for enhancement of muscles and energy, the number of potential clients is great.

Daily intake of inhaled corticosteroids

Inhaled corticosteroids are drugs which are used in case of asthma by children and grown-ups. Persons with mild, moderate and severe asthma administer these medicines every day. These medicines prevent inflammation of the airways. Doctors supervise patients with this disease, regulating dosage schedule every 6 weeks.
Unfortunately, inhaled corticosteroids, like other medicines, may cause negative reactions. Regular application of these preparations is connected with several risks. Is there any method for individuals with asthma to prevent these problems?
A recent research has displayed that prescribers should not recommend administering these preparations daily to individuals with mild-to-moderate asthma. This research turned out to be very valuable. It is likely to alter indications related to treatment of asthma.
The study was conducted by doctors of the Texas Medical Brach in Galveston. The specialist William Calhoun and his colleagues enrolled 340 individuals with asthma in the research. Some persons received inhaled corticosteroids every day; others applied these medicines, when symptoms of asthma attacks appeared. Bronchial reactivity and functions of lungs were measured by the experts during nine months. The results of the study demonstrated that there was not any essential difference between these two groups.
According to the specialists, if inhaled corticosteroids are used, when symptoms occur, exacerbation can be prevented. Moreover, these drugs have long action. It means that benefits are felt even several days after application. The specialists suppose that these drugs 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. Undoubtedly, they must be treated. This piece of news must be valuable for them. Furthermore, if inhaled steroids are used prolonged time, they may cause serious negative effects, such as hormonal imbalance, cataract, etc. Thus, if individuals that suffer from mild-to-moderate asthma don’t use these medications each day, they are more unlikely to get these adverse effects.
Undoubtedly, it is early to modify recommendations linked with treatment of asthma. But this research may induce conducting further researches which may lead to certain changes.