Top 10 FAQs on Steroids

Steroids are hormones that come from Adrenal glands and Gonads. There are different types of steroids in our body,

– Some are life-saving, meaning without them we can not survive. Some of them suppress inflammation.
– Steroids come from Testes and Ovaries; they are called sex-steroids. In addition to controlling metabolism, they are important in sexual function.

Steroids are used for various medical conditions in which the inflammatory response has to be controlled.

– In asthma, these are given by tablet, injection or through an inhaler.
– In certain other medical conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, SLE and other connective tissue disorders these are very helpful.
– Life-saving medications in situations like when our Adrenal gland or Pituitary gland is not working normally.
– They are also lifesaving in severe allergic reactions and shock.
– Sex steroid s are used when Gonads are under active for whatever reason.
– We do use some of them as contraceptives.
– Also if a person is taking a steroid drug for a long time then it must be reduced slowly otherwise patient may develop crisis which could be life-threatening.

Used in excess they create a variety of problems. The most dramatic one is Cushing’s syndrome in which patient manifests with florid signs of steroid excess.

Long term use of steroid can cause Diabetes, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol.

They reduce bone strength, you will develop Osteoporosis and your chance for fracture from a simple fall will be high. Lon-term use of Steroids also can cause Cataract, Glaucoma and weight gain.

Yes, there are a lot of differences between them. They are called anabolic-androgenic steroids.

These are basically male sex related hormones; anabolic means body building and androgenic means masculine characteristics. In sports their use is illegal.

They are used in the belief that they increase the muscle strength and hence performance. Although it may be true in short term they are deleterious to health if used on a long term basis.

In both men and women can cause liver and kidney cancer, jaundice, increased blood pressure, bad cholesterol, mood swings etc.

In men testicles may shrink, sperm production and fertility decreases, baldness increases. They are at increased risk of developing prostate cancer.

Women develop excessive facial hair, male pattern baldness, menstrual disturbances, and changes in genitalia.
In children overall growth will be stunted.

Yes Anabolic steroids are prescribed to treat medical conditions like some type of anaemia (less blood). They were used before after prolonged illness, operation and general debility to improve body strength but we do not use them for those reasons now.

They are called anabolic-androgenic steroids. These are basically male sex related hormones, anabolic means body building and androgenic means masculine characteristics.

In sports their use is illegal. They are used in the belief that they increase the muscle strength and hence performance.

Although it may be true in the short term they are deleterious to health if used on a long term basis.

They are classified as,

1. Corticosteroids:
a. Glucocorticoids: Cortisol, a glucocorticoid whose functions include immunosuppression
b. Mineralocorticoids: Aldosterone, a mineralocorticoid which helps regulate blood pressure through water and electrolyte balance

2. Sex steroids:
a. Progestogens: Progesterone, which regulates cyclical changes in the endometrium of the uterus and maintains a pregnancy
b. Androgens: Testosterone, which contributes to the development and maintenance of male secondary sex characteristics
c. Estrogens: Estradiol, which contributes to the development and maintenance of female secondary sex characteristics

Yes it does reduces your life longevity if abused. Steroid use can lead to dependency on the drug. Over use leads to an increase of the hormones in the body, and it can cause more severe side effects than lower doses.

Prednisone has a tendency to raise the level of glucose, or sugar, in the blood, which can cause increased body fat or diabetes in some people.

It is important to avoid “simple” carbohydrates and concentrated sweets, such as cakes, pies, cookies, jams, honey, chips, bread, candy and other highly processed foods.

If you are on steroids for a medical reason, you can increase the protein content of your food daily.