Kindly give information about uses/side effects and benefits of sreriods in bodybuilding.

Dr. Sajeev KumarGeneral Physician34yrs exp

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There are two types of steroids present within the body. Corticosteroids are produced in the adrenal gland located above the kidney. These hormones include aldosterone, which helps regulate sodium concentration in the body, and cortisol, which plays many roles in the body, including serving as part of the body's stress response system to decrease inflammation. Commonly prescribed corticosteroid medications, like prednisone, prednisolone, and dexamethasone are available to be taken by mouth, intravenously, or by intramuscular injection and may be used to treat diseases like asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and systemic lupus erythematosus, as well as many others, in which inflammation is part of the disease process. The use of steroid ointments and creams on the skin, like triamcinolone and betamethasone, is common in the treatment of dermatitis (derm=skin + itis=inflammation). The second group of steroids, the androgenic/anabolic steroids, are hormones made in the body to regulate the manufacture of testosterone in the testicles and ovaries. The androgenic part of testosterone is involved in developing male sex characteristics, while the anabolic part is involved in increasing the amount of body tissue by increasing protein production. The pituitary gland, located at the base of the brain, helps regulate testosterone production and hormone secretion. Growth hormone and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) are among the hormones that stimulate testis and ovary function and are two of the many hormones secreted by the pituitary. Anabolic and androgenic steroids are available as prescription medications to be used in cases in which the body does not make enough hormone and supplementation may be required. Some hormone supplements in this pathway include growth hormone and testosterone itself. These medications are legally prescribed by health-care providers, but this group of drugs is often used illegally and abused to help increase athletic performance and improve body appearance. When used in a well-nourished body, anabolic steroids will cause weight gain primarily due to an increase in muscle mass. While anabolic steroids may have beneficial effects when taken under medical supervision, they have many serious and sometimes irreversible side effects. These side effects are due to abnormally high levels of testosterone in the body and may include high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels, liver damage, heart failure, acne, baldness, as well as aggressive and violent behaviour .A few common examples of anabolic steroids include Anabol, Android, Androstenedione, Winstrol, Deca-Durabol, THG, Genabol, and HGH. Depending upon the type, anabolic steroids may either be injected into the body or taken by pill. Because of the way these medications are metabolized, the need to have recovery time, and to prevent detection, steroids are often taken in cycles in which they are used for a few days at a time, then stopped and the cycle repeated again days or weeks later. These steroids also have direct effects on numerous organs: An increased number of sebaceous glands in the skin routinely leads to acne. Liver damage may often occur, and liver cancer is a risk. The heart is at risk for damage in a various ways. In response to excess steroid in the body, the heart muscle may enlarge just like any other muscle in the body. This enlargement, or hypertrophy, can lead to decreased pumping ability (cardiomyopathy) as well as changes in the electrical conduction system in the heart causing rhythm changes (arrhythmias), palpitations, and potentially sudden cardiac death. As well, steroids may cause high blood pressure, increased cholesterol levels, and elevated blood sugars, all of which are risk factors for heart attack and stroke. Psychiatric effects of steroids include excitation and depression. Aggression is common. Manic episodes of aggressive behavior are known as "roid rage," and violence may be the outcome. Depression and suicide may also occur. In adolescents who have yet to complete growing, the use of steroids may stunt growth and stop bones, joints, and muscles from reaching full maturity. As well, premature sexual development may occur. 

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