Most people have heard about steroids, mainly as an illegal drug used by athletes to improve their performance. But not all steroids are bad. When taken in small quantities for a short period of time under doctor’s supervision, steroids are useful in the treatment of many diseases and disorders. When taken for a long time, though, they can adversely affect the body. Steroid use needs to be reduced gradually to allow the body to get use to making its own steroids again.

Steroids are man-made drugs that are similar to the natural cortisol hormone, or lipids, produced by the body's adrenal glands. Cortisol helps the body manage stress by increasing blood sugar, suppressing the immune system, and aiding in metabolism. More steroids are manufactured when the body is stressed like after a surgery or during an infection.

There are two classifications of man-made steroids: anabolic steroids and corticosteroids.

Corticosteroids are prescribed as anti-inflammatories, which mean they are used to reduce inflammation, redness, and soreness. Corticosteroids are available in the form of pills, creams, gels, inhalers, and nasal sprays. Steroid pills are prescribed for patients with arthritis and lupus (a chronic skin disease). For skin problems like eczema and contact dermatitis, steroid creams and ointments are useful. A steroid inhaler or spray is used to treat patients with asthma and allergies.

Anabolic steroids are prescribed to treat delayed puberty, some types of impotence, and body wasting as a result of AIDS. Anabolic steroids gained notoriety when it became widely known that athletes across several sports abused androstenedione, or andro, to build muscle mass. Large daily doses of andro can increase the amount of testosterone in the body, which exacerbates male characteristics in both males and females. Without a prescription, anabolic steroid use is illegal.

Risks of Using Steroids

Steroids, when used as prescribed, are effective and can be life saving. However, when a person takes man-made steroids the body stops making them naturally. When someone takes steroids for a long time, the body fails to make steroids when under stress, so the person needs to take more steroids to compensate. This can lead to serious complications, such as:

• Thinning skin

   

• Rapid weight gain

   

• High blood glucose level

   

• High blood pressure

   

• Dry mouth

   

• Reduced bone mass

   

• Liver tumor and cancer

   

• Jaundice

   

• Increased cholesterol level

   

• Increased acne

Steroid use has been known to cause mood swings, depression, paranoia, jealousy, delusions, and impaired judgment. Men may develop baldness, testicle shrinkage, reduced sperm count, breast enlargement, and an increased risk of prostate cancer.

Women may gain masculine traits such as male-pattern baldness, facial hair, and a deepened voice, along with the loss of feminine traits and a regular menstrual cycle. There is also an increased risk of HIV, hepatitis B and C, and other blood-borne disease if needles are shared when using illegal steroids.

Stopping steroids should be done under a doctor's supervision. Steroid use should be reduced gradually to allow the body to get used to making its own steroids again. This gradual reduction is especially important if steroids have been taken for longer than six weeks.

As the body adjusts to making its own steroids and uses less man-made steroids, the person may experience steroid withdrawal symptoms. These include lightheadedness, fatigue, dizziness, breathing difficulty, weakness, depression, joint pain, and stomachache. Non-respiratory side effects generally disappear within a few weeks or months, but a doctor should be notified immediately if symptoms get worse.

Do not stop taking prescription steroid medicines unless it is recommended by a doctor. Additionally, do not take any other medicine without a doctor's approval while on steroids.

Conclusion

Steroids can be a very effective in treating medical conditions. If steroids are prescribed, patients can always ask their doctors for the lowest possible dosage to be taken for the shortest period of time. For anyone who is tempted to try illegal steroids to enhance sports performance, they should understand that healthy eating habits, a fitness regimen, and natural supplements can better help a person stay stronger and healthier without the need for illegal steroid use.