| The use of steroids is headline news right | | | | getting the substance into the body. They |
| now both in the United States and worldwide. | | | | often are not careful and use non-sterile |
| Big names in professional sports have | | | | injections or share needles with other |
| rumored, or admitted to using steroids to | | | | abusers. |
| bulk up their bodies and improve their game. | | | | |
| Our teenagers look up them as role models and | | | | Manufactured steroids are often made in |
| it's sad to see them letting our teens down. | | | | environments that are not sterile and this |
| When they see their favorite athlete using | | | | puts the user in added danger. Hepatitis B |
| steroids, they believe if it's all right for | | | | and C, HIV, and other viral infections can be |
| these stars, it's all right for them too. | | | | injected into the body with non-sterile |
| | | | needles. Infections can form at the injection |
| Few realize what some of the terrible side | | | | sights and cause abscesses to form. A |
| effects are for those who use anabolic | | | | potentially fatal side effect is endocarditis |
| steroids. Some teenagers discover too late | | | | which is a bacterial infection that causes |
| and the damage is irreparable or they are | | | | inflammation of the inner lining of the |
| dead. Yes, it is that serious! | | | | heart. |
| | | | |
| Anabolic steroids are a synthetic substance | | | | Steroid use has also been linked with liver |
| that promotes the growth of skeletal muscles | | | | tumors and blood-filled cysts in the liver. |
| and is related to the male hormone | | | | If these rupture as they sometimes do, they |
| testosterone. There are over 100 known | | | | cause internal bleeding, another potential |
| steroids that have been developed since first | | | | life threatening condition. |
| discovered in 1930. They were found to be | | | | |
| effective in building skeletal muscle in | | | | Steroids affect the cardiovascular system. |
| laboratory animals and were first used by | | | | Misuse can cause heart attacks and strokes. |
| weight lifters and bodybuilders. It caught on | | | | These can affect all athletes, even |
| with other athletes and is so prolific it has | | | | teenagers. |
| been know to affect the outcome of sports. | | | | |
| | | | There have been many reports of teenagers who |
| The lawful medical uses of these steroids are | | | | have died of taking steroids. Steroids |
| used to treat some impotence, delayed | | | | decrease the good levels of cholesterol, and |
| puberty, and help the body fight wasting | | | | increase the bad cholesterol which can |
| diseases like HIV infection. These steroids | | | | increase the risk of blood clots that stop |
| are illegal in the United States but are | | | | the blood flow to the heart or brain and |
| smuggled into the country and sold by drug | | | | become fatal. |
| dealers. The use of steroids can effect a | | | | |
| good portion of a teenager's body. | | | | Steroid use can cause problems with the skin, |
| | | | such as acne and cysts. It can also cause |
| Users of steroids use injection as a means to | | | | oily skin and hair. |