Steroids, which have been used in medicine for many years for therapeutic purposes, have now become an important topic in bodybuilding sports as well as for medical purposes. Naturally, when it comes to health, many people interested in bodybuilding, whether amateur or professional, are a bit confused about the effects, benefits and harms of steroids.
While some experts argue that steroid use is extremely dangerous and harmful, others say that it should be done consciously and when necessary. To clear up all this confusion, it is useful to have more detailed information about what steroids do, what they are used for and the types of steroids. So what are steroids and nonsteroids? What are the types of steroids? If you want to know the answers to these questions, just keep reading.
What is Steroid?
Every human body contains hormones that enable organs, tissues and systems to function. Steroids are chemical and human-made versions of the hormones found in the human body. Steroids, which can also be used in the treatment of many diseases or disorders, are divided into two different groups: anabolic steroids and corticosteroids. Non-steroids include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory drugs and formulas.
What is a Corticosteroid?
Although steroids are thought to be used only for muscle growth, their main purpose is to reduce inflammation in the body by taking over hormone behavior. By reducing inflammation, corticosteroids help reduce aches and pains.
What is an Anabolic Steroid?
The steroids referred to in sports and bodybuilding are anabolic steroids. Anabolic steroids, a type of testosterone hormone, are used to make muscles grow faster and harder. Anabolic steroids can also be used to treat diseases that destroy muscle mass in the body, such as AIDS and cancer. People who use anabolic steroids for bodybuilding and increasing muscle mass often load their bodies with steroids orally, by injecting them into the muscles or by external means such as creams. However, the use of steroids for other than medical purposes can be extremely dangerous. To understand this danger, let’s take a closer look at the benefits and harms of steroids.
What do steroids do?
Inflammation in the body can present with symptoms such as bruising, swelling, redness and fever. Essentially, inflammation is the body’s defense response to an infection or bacteria. Corticosteroid medicines are used to delay or reduce the inflammation or to relieve pain. All corticosteroid medications must be taken under the supervision of a doctor and the doses must be determined by the doctor.
What are the risks of steroid use?
The use of anabolic steroids in the sports industry is very risky for the health of athletes. This is because the vast majority of steroids are obtained illegally and through unofficial dealers. Personal, unconscious and arbitrary use of any drug is dangerous. But when it comes to steroids, the risks can be devastating for the body and the brain. When anabolic steroids are used arbitrarily and in excessive doses, mental and physical damage is inevitable.
Consumption of legal and medical doses of anabolic steroids can lead to symptoms such as increased libido, hair loss, acne, increased red cell count and gynecomastia. Those who use normal doses of anabolic steroids on the advice of a doctor should be monitored through appointments. Steroids used for non-medical purposes often contain doses many times higher than those used for medical purposes. The wrong and excessive amount of steroids can cause many life-threatening problems in the body, such as tumor formation, cardiovascular disorders, myocardial infarction, tendon rupture and liver problems.
In short, steroids can be risk-free and efficient only when used for medical purposes and under the supervision of a doctor. Using steroids unconsciously for bodybuilding and increasing muscle mass can lead to irreversible problems and losses in the body.