Which of the following conditions is often associated with the abuse of anabolic steroids?
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Anabolic steroids are prescription-only medicines. Show
They are sometimes taken without medical advice to increase muscle mass and improve athletic performance. If anabolic steroids are used in this way, they can cause serious side effects and addiction. Anabolic steroids are not to be confused with corticosteroids. Corticosteroids are a different type of medicine. They are prescribed for a variety of conditions. Get help if you're addictedYour GP will help you to get treatment for addiction. Your GP may refer you to a drugs counsellor. They'll discuss your addiction and help you safely stop taking steroids. Medical use of anabolic steroidsAnabolic steroids have limited medical uses. They are sometimes prescribed to treat hormone deficiencies and diseases that result in loss of lean muscle mass, such as cancer and AIDS. Anabolic steroids and the lawAnabolic steroids are only available legally on prescription from a registered pharmacist. Otherwise it is illegal to sell them or supply them. This includes giving them to friends. You could be fined up to €2,000 or put in jail. Most sport organisations ban and test for anabolic steroid use. Why people misuse anabolic steroidsAnabolic steroids can be used as performance-enhancing drugs. They increase muscle and decrease fat but can also cause many unpleasant effects. Some athletes and bodybuilders take them to improve physical performance. People may also misuse these drugs for other reasons, for example teenagers who suffer from body dysmorphic disorder - a mental health condition where you worry a lot about how you look. Some people believe taking anabolic steroids will help them become fit and healthy. This is not true. Taking anabolic steroids is dangerous. How anabolic steroids are takenAnabolic steroids are usually injected into the muscle or taken by mouth as tablets. They also come as creams or gels that are put on the skin. People who misuse anabolic steroids might:
There is no evidence that these methods reduce the side effects from taking anabolic steroids. Side effects of anabolic steroidsTaking anabolic steroids can lead to physical and mental changes in both men and women. They can also cause dangerous medical conditions. Serious side-effects, such as heart attack, stroke and blood clots can be fatal. Physical effectsEffects of anabolic steroids in men can include:
In women, anabolic steroids can cause:
Men and women who take anabolic steroids can develop medical conditions, some of which can be fatal. Medical conditions include:
Psychological effectsMisusing anabolic steroids can also cause the following mental or emotional effects:
Stunted growth in adolescentsAnabolic steroids speed up bone growth. If they're misused by adolescents, the drugs can cause premature ageing of the bones and restricted growth. Sharing needlesAs anabolic steroids are often injected, there are risks associated with sharing needles. These are the same risks as recreational drug use and include:
AddictionAnabolic steroids are addictive. This means you can crave the drug and need more to get the same effect. You can have withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly stop taking them. A person who is addicted to anabolic steroids will want to keep using them. This is despite experiencing unpleasant side effects. When GPs prescribe steroid medication, they always advise coming off the medicine slowly by gradually reducing the dose. Sopping anabolic steroids suddenly can result in withdrawal symptoms that include:
Information: This content was fact checked by a pharmacist, a GP and the National Medication Safety Programme (Safermeds). Which of the following is associated with the abuse of anabolicAbuse of anabolic-androgenic steroids can cause a number of medical and psychiatric problems, including hypertension, elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, cardiomyopathy, hepatotoxicity, acne, feminization (gynecomastia and reduced testicular size) in men, and masculinization (hirsutism, reduction in breast ...
What are 4 physical risks associated with anabolic steroids?In addition, both men and women who take anabolic steroids can develop any of the following medical conditions:. heart attack or stroke.. liver or kidney problems or failure.. high blood pressure (hypertension). blood clots.. fluid retention.. high cholesterol.. What are 5 common side effects of steroids?Common side effects of systemic steroids include:. Increased appetite.. Weight gain.. Changes in mood.. Muscle weakness.. Blurred vision.. Increased growth of body hair.. Easy bruising.. Lower resistance to infection.. What are anabolic steroids and why are they abused by athletes?Anabolic steroids help build muscle tissue and increase body mass by acting like the body's natural male hormone, testosterone. However, steroids cannot improve an athlete's agility or skill. Many factors determine athletic ability, including genetics, body size, age, sex, diet and how hard the athlete trains.
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