Anabolic Steroids in the future

Anabolic Steroids in the future
Introduction
The use of anabolic steroids has been often cited as one of the slippery moral issues associated with sports. These drugs that are used by sportsmen to increase their muscular strength have been found to have harmful side effects as well as condemned as medications that can give some sportsmen an unfair advantage over others. At the same time, these drugs can be effective in helping athletes bring out their potential, especially if their downside is brought down by further research. Thus, sportsmen can have access to these drugs if efforts are taken to test sportsmen for steroids and thus neutralize their harmful potential. This paper will attempt to prove that steroids do have a place in the future of sports medicine and sports as such.
Arguments against Steroids
Most arguments against the use of steroids boil down to the fact that, if abused, steroids can have a harmful effect on human bodies, leading to dangerous effects. Thus, steroids have been found to affect the brain as high doses can make people feel happy, euphoric, hyped-up, with disturbance of sleep and even serious psychiatric illness such as mania, very aggressive behavior and psychosis (delusions, pananoia, loss of touch with reality) (Dixon). Thus, the person who abuses steroids can really end up with a mental problem, something that can really disrupt one's life and is a serious question for someone who is engaged in sports. Sport is meant to heal, not harm the human body.
The harmful effect of steroids is not limited to mental problems. Thus, steroids can adversely affect a person's skin, causing its thinning and weakening. Bones of the people who use a lot of steroids lose calcium, which makes them weaker and can easily lead to fractures. Weight problem can arise as people begin to eat a lot and experience a rise in appetite, which alone can cause them serious problems. The rise in blood sugar that accompanies the use of steroids can cause diabetes.
Perhaps the most serious downside of steroids is the harmful effect associated with disruptions of the immune system that will not function properly in someone overusing steroids. Steroids knock out immune systems so that people on high doses of steroids for medical reasons can die from chest infections and cancers of many kinds (Dixon). People who use steroids open their bodies to the impact of many bacteria and viruses that their immune systems would otherwise ward off, such as candida yeast - the fungus that can cause inflammation of the skin, vagina, and other organs.
For women, androgynous effects associated with steroids can be a serious problem. These effects stem from the application of testosterone that is in fact male hormone. In women it triggers the development of qualities that make a woman look like a man. These include but are not limited to irreversible enlargement of the clitoris, irreversible hoarsening and deepening of the voice, irreversible increase in facial and body hair, decreased breast size (Anabolic Steroids). Certainly, given the public opinion of female athletes as often deficient in femininity, these effects are less than welcome. Besides, female athletes using steroids face a greater risk of developing cervical and endometrial cancer as well as osteoporosis (Anabolic Steroids).
Men, on their part, are also negatively affecting by the use of anabolic steroids. Their reproductive function is often hurt to the degree when they suffer from infertility. Besides, many men using steroids report a decrease in potency and lower sex drive (Anabolic Steroids).
What Are Anabolic Steroids?
Anabolic steroids are part of performance-enhancing drugs along with psychomotor stimulants. Anabolic steroids are used to increase muscle bulk and strength (and therefore, to some extent, speed), and to enhance recovery from heavy workouts or certain kinds of muscular injuries (Coombs, West 1991:117). The correct term is actually anabolic-androgenic steroids, but anabolic steroids has become a conventional term that is more widely used.
They are used in some sports such as track and field and football where muscular strength of the athletes matters and helps them to win. They stay in the body for prolonged time periods, making it relatively easy to identify them in the body, as they are detectable not only directly after use, but also for prolonged periods after the use.
The use of steroids dates back to the isolation of testosterone, a naturally occurring hormone, in 1935. This hormone has oth androgenic (masculinization) and anabolic (tissue-building) properties (Massimino, Sallis 1997: 237). The same properties have been replicated in synthetic steroids, although scientists attempted to bring down the androgenic properties. They were successful to some extent, although steroids still retain their androgenic properties to a great degree. The first use of anabolic steroids was to treat hypogonadism, a condition in which male testes do not produce enough hormones and thus have to receive outside help.
The athletes began to use these drugs in the 1950s, as they spread from the Soviet Union to the US and other nations that wanted in this way stimulate the sports performance of their athletes. The wide spread of steroid use as well as their harmful effect finally led the International Olympic Committee to forbid participants to use anabolic steroids at the 1976 Summer Olympic Games in Montreal (Massimino, Sallis 1997: 238). At the moment, there are over 100 anabolic steroids. In the US, an individual has to have a medical prescription to purchase these drugs (Anabolic Steroids).

The Benefits of Steroids
Despite the numerous cons, steroids do have their bright side - otherwise people would not use them. Thus, they have been reported to help athletes build their muscular strength and improve their performance in this way. This is explained by the role of the steroids in the generation of protein and growth hormone that are both stimulated by steroid use. This is described as anabolic effect.
Steroids also have been described as having an anticatabolic effect. This effect appears due to interaction with cortisol released in response to physical and psychological stress, causing protein degradation and muscle atrophy (Massimino, Sallis 1997: 238). In addition, this effect is linked to the effect of corticosteroid testosterone by from other receptor sites.
Steroids are believed to increase aggression - the reason for which they were probably used by Nazi soldiers in World War II. These drugs can therefore stimulate the performance of the sportsmen, especially in group games where aggression can motivate them for achievement. The use of steroids can also have a mental effect since sportsmen believe in steroids that can allegedly give them greater power. This is the ground for which a group of researchers found that athletes showed significant gains in strength, even though the athletes received a placebo (Massimino, Sallis 1997: 239).
Sport is only one use of steroids that were originally invented as anti-inflammatory drugs. They are very powerful substances that produce a variety of effects on the human body. Thus, steroids can be used for treating infectious diseases when it is necessary to bring down the inflammation. Steroids can help bring down death rate caused by asthma as well as applied to painful joints and ligaments. Talking of skin diseases, eczema and a number of other skin problems can be treated using steroids. Other uses of anabolic steroids are o treat delayed puberty, some types of impotence, and wasting of the body caused by HIV infection or other diseases (Anabolic Steroids). The first two effects stem from the inclusion of testosterone in synthetic steroids.
Besides, steroids make the whole immune system less active, which can be very useful in illnesses where there is an immune component - a huge number (Dixon). The latter is especially important as this shows that the negative side of steroids can simultaneously be the benefit as these drugs can be used to reduce the response of the immune system to the stimulant, making them effective treatment for a range of diseases. Indeed, what is a poison in some cases is a cure in others.
The opportunities for the use of steroids are not limited to applying them where it is necessary to reduce the response of the immune system, in particular when it comes to brain tumors. They are also useful in cancer treatment. True, they do not treat cancer as they only prolong the patient's life. However, in many cases it is necessary to help the patient survive the last few weeks. Steroids in this case act as follows: they reduce the swelling around the brain tumor, relieving the patient's condition.
Anabolic steroids have also been described as having a positive influence on the patients recovering after a fracture. Due to their powerful action on muscle growth and weight gain, they can speed up the healing of the fracture and help quickly revive the function of the corresponding organ. A study conducted by M. Hedstrom, K. Sjoberg, E. Brosjo, A. Astrom, A, and others researched the effects of steroids on 63 female patients who had undergone surgery because of fractures. The women were divided into two groups. One group received only calcium for treatment, while others also received steroids and vitamin D. In their article published in Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (May 2002), the researchers state that the study demonstrated that he anabolic group did not lose muscle volume during the first 12 months whereas the control group did. They found that the intake of anabolic steroids had positive impact on the growth of tissue, bone mineral density, and clinical function.
The scientists note that functional recovery often takes a lot of time, especially in elderly patients after a hip fracture. The function is often restored incompletely and can be bone mineral density drops after the fracture and the surgery. Therefore, steroids help to solve important problems for patients. The study confirms that hat a low dose of nandrolone decanoate in combination with a low dose of alphacalcidol and calcium has a positive effect on body composition, BMD and the clinical function in elderly women after fracture of the hip (Hedstrom et al. 2002). Thus, steroids can be of great value in treating patients with fractures. This can be especially useful in treating elderly patients who usually experience great problems in recovery after a fracture.
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Anorexia Anorexia Symptom Sand Anorexia Treatment

Anorexia is something more drastic than just a problem with food. It is a strange way of using food, body weight or starving oneself to feel more in charge of one?s life, to ease nervousness, anger, and anxiety. Most people with anorexia are females.

Anorexia nervosa can be termed as a psychiatric disorder.

What is anorexia?

People with anorexia have an intense fear of being fat. Their abnormal eating habits develop from this panic psychosis. This cycle of self-starvation gradually becomes an obsession, which in severe cases becomes life threatening.

The person suffering from anorexia is usually 15% below his/her ideal weight and still considers him overweight. He hardly eats at all - may even weigh food before eating it. A person with anorexia will avoid high-calorie foods and exercise constantly.

Anorexia is an eating disorder where people, especially the teen group (adolescent girls) starve themselves ? the main reason is to lose weight and turn lean. Anorexia usually begins in young people around the onset of puberty. Weight loss is obtained by many ways ? some harmful also. The common techniques used are excessive exercise, intake of laxatives/ diet pills, vomiting after a meal and starving oneself to limitless extent.

People with anorexia continue to think they are overweight, and will resort to dieting even after they become extremely thin.

Symptoms:

There are many symptoms for anorexia; not all individuals may experience similar symptoms. The common symptoms include a body weight that is inconsistent with age, build and height (usually 15% below normal weight).

Other symptoms include:

?Constant exercise

?Loss of hair on head

?Fatigue and muscle tiredness, headaches

?Obsession with food and calories

?Irregular menstruation in women ? loss of atleast 3 menstrual periods

?Amenorrhea (loss of menstruation)

?Unusual eating habits (ie. cutting food into tiny pieces, picking at food)

?Mood swings

?Anaemia

?Loss of hair on head

?Fine downy hairs on face, neck, back

?Dizziness

?Pale complexion, dehydration

What are the risks of anorexia?

There are many biological and psychological risks associated with anorexia nervosa. They include shrunken bones, mineral loss, low body temperature, irregular heartbeat, debility of the brain due to lack of nutrients, permanent retardation of normal body growth, development of osteoporosis.

People who do not receive treatment may become chronically ill or even die in severe cases. Continued use of laxatives is extremely harmful for the body. It gradually wears out the bowel muscles and causes a decrease in its functional ability. Some laxatives may also contain harsh and toxic substances that may be reabsorbed into the body.

Long spells without adequate intake of food can cause fragile bones leading to osteoporosis, as well as damage to the heart, liver, kidneys and brain.

Anorexia can impede normal growth in the young, adolescents and cause difficulties in concentration. People with anorexia nervosa may also experience mental health problems such as depression and increased risk of suicide.

Common causes of anorexia -

Until today, no definite and single cause of anorexia nervosa has been determined. It is likely that both inherent biological factors and factors in the person?s social environment play an integral part in its development. Some experts feel that demands from peer pressure, society and families could possibly be underlying stress causes for anorexia.

Some believed causes include:

?Frightened about getting fat

?An obsessive and constant thinking about their weight, especially losing weight.

?Demonstration effect - If you have a mother or sister with anorexia, you are more likely to develop the disorder.

?Perpetual fear of putting on weight

?Emotional problems

?Stressful events - traumatic events like rape, assault, puberty, death in the family as well as other stressful things like starting a new job, can lead to the onset of anorexia.

?Pressure to be thin and attractive, because of a poor self image, and also to fit into a certain ideal of beauty.

?Dysfunction in the part of the brain, which regulates certain metabolic processes.

?Genes, hormones and family history

How is anorexia nervosa treated?

Treatment of anorexia varies depending on the individual circumstances. There is no one single line of treatment. The initial treatment for anorexia is usually focused on immediate weight gain, especially with those who have particularly serious conditions that requires hospitalisation.

Psycho-therapy is also an effective form of treatment and can lead to restoration of weight, return of menstrual periods in female patients, improved psychological self-image and normal social functioning.

Treatment for anorexia, which includes drugs and psychological support, aims to:

?Bring back the person to a healthy, normal weight.

?Re-instate normal food habits.

?Treat any physical complication or associated mental, psychological problems.

?Bring in family support to treat the condition.

In some cases, medication such as anti-depressants may be necessary, especially people with severe depression or serious obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms.

Anorexia nervosa is a potentially life-threatening illness, and should be treated as soon as possible.

Read more on anorexia, anorexia symptom and anorexia treatment. Also Visit http://www.healthvitaminsguide.com for Information on Vitamins, Minerals, Amino Acids.

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Vaginal Odor Smells Just How Private Is Your Privates

 



Vaginal Odor Smells - Just How Private Is Your PrivatesSubmitted By: Kacy Carr  

Why do women worry over vaginal odor when it is a natural function of the body that every female suffers from, however, what type of odor is another matter. The normal smell from the vagina is never normally smelt by others; of course this will depend on how strong the odor is. The good news is - there are treatments to help prevent vaginal odour reaching this point (stronger) where the smell causes embarrassment.

If you have already reached this point and find the vaginal odor is not disappearing after washing then there may be a perfectly simple explanation; other causes for an offensive smell can be due to infection. Vaginal odour can change if the balance of bacteria present in the vagina changes. The most common cause is an imbalance known as bacterial vaginosis which is caused by excessive bacteria in the vagina. When bacteria amass it can cause symptoms such as a discharge or odour to rise. One such bacterium is Gardnerella vaginalis.

Concerned young girls reaching puberty ask, what is vaginitis? Vaginitis denotes to the symptoms formed when the normal vaginal housing becomes unbalanced. The female vagina is not a sterile environment, hosting normal bacteria and organisms, including lactobacilli that allow the vagina to maintain a slightly acidic balance. What is the difference between a normal and an abnormal vaginal discharge, well more often than not - normal discharge excreted from a healthy vagina is usually clear and non-odorous, however this can change at the time of menstruation. If an infection is present then this can cause an unpleasant vaginal odour.

A common infection that affects the vagina is vaginal thrush; this condition is called yeast infection or candidiasis which is an overgrowth of yeast that leads to a range of unpleasant and discomforting symptoms for the patient, i.e. itching and inflammation (soreness) around the vagina. Some women after diagnosis and treatment to cure the infection have suffered repeat episodes, where the vaginal thrush has returned.
Thrush is caused by yeast already located in the body which grows out of control. This yeast is almost always Candida albicans, but another, more resistant yeast, Candida glabrata, can also lead to thrush.

Men women and children can carry yeast in and on their bodies but somehow seem to avoid having problems because of its presence. Yeast can normally be found in the intestines, vagina, mouth and skin, where a 'friendly' bacterium helps to keep yeast levels low. However if this balance is disturbed and the yeast is permitted to further develop without treatment it can worsen the condition.
Remember ladies that it is perfectly normal to have a vaginal odor. During puberty the vaginal area secretes more sweat and tends to be more moist which can cause the vagina to become smelly? Word of mouth treatments to remedy your condition is not recommended because, what may work for one patient may not for another. More importantly have your doctor determine the health issue in case you are treating something other than what you believe you are suffering from because; this can prove to be a serious health risk.

To help rid vaginal odor cleanse with a mild soap and warm water daily. To help minimise sweating in and around the vaginal area avoid wearing tight clothing, wear cotton knickers to allow the body to breath.
Bear in mind if your vaginal odour is not caused through infection then the smell most often than not is only detected by you - so don't fret over what is normal in a woman.

You should be more concerned with having bad breath because; this is an odour coming from a part of the body where people do get up close. (Get my drift)

About the Author:

Vaginal Thrush Infection http://www.spotthepimple.comVaginal Odours http://www.bodyodoursmell.comWrinkles Remedy http://www.remedy4wrinkles.com

Article Tags: vagina, vaginal, yeast

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