Steroid use in sports

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Steroids have been used since the beginning of the century to enhance performance . In recent years their popularity has become overwhelming and the risks to athletes immeasurable . Steroids are used by athletes professional , collegiate , high school , to increase their performance level , despite the health concerns . The use of steroids has become popular among teenagers as a way to increase their physical appearance Despite the drug testing within professional

or Olympic competitions athletes feel a pressure to perform and use them anyway . It is this writer 's belief that athletes use steroids to enhance their ability in to win and win alone . Winning is the goal and the means or risks are not important

What are Steroids

Anabolic steroids -- or more precisely , anabolic-androgenic steroids -- are the synthetic derivatives of the naturally occurring male anabolic hormone testosterone . Testosterone 's androgenic effects trigger the maturing of the male reproductive system in puberty , including the growth of body hair and the deepening of the voice . The hormone 's anabolic effect helps the body retain dietary protein , which aids in the development of muscles

They are sometimes referred to as `roids , juice , hype or pump . They are powerful drugs that people use to boost performance in athletics Anabolic means building body tissue ' Lower doses of steroids are used to treat medical conditions

Who Takes Anabolic Steroids and Why

One of the main reasons people give for using or abusing steroid is to improve their athletic ability . Competitive bodybuilders report a high frequency of steroid use . Within other professional sports , the use of steroids is more dependent upon the type of sport . Some people who abuse steroids are looking to increase their muscle size and /or reduce body fat

In the past , steroids were most commonly used in college , the Olympics and professional sports . Media attention has increase there popularity and today they are increasingly being used in middle schools and high schools

Most commonly , steroid use can be found among

Athletes involved in sports that require strength and size , like football , wrestling or baseball

Endurance athletes , such as track and field

Athletes involved in weight training or body building

Anyone interested in building and defining muscles

Steroid can be taken orally (by pills ) or injected with a needle . Some athletes take megadoses to produce even faster results . Some use a method called pyramiding ' and gradually increase the dose . Some use different types of steroids , sometimes used with other drugs , a practice known as stacking

What Are The Health Hazards

Steroids can cause serious health problems . The danger is that with the changes that take place , side effects or adverse reactions may not be noticed until the damage is permanent . Possible side effects include

High blood pressure and heart disease

Liver damage and cancers

Stroke and blood clots

Urinary and bowel problems

Headaches , aching joints , muscle cramps

Nausea and vomiting...