For the next three questions, read carefully the article excerpt bellow:
Steroids Overview
The use of steroids continues to make news and sports headlines as athletes and bodybuilders use them
illegally to gain an advantage on the playing field. Anabolic steroids refer to hormones that are either taken
orally or by injection that influence the body's hormonal system to produce extra testosterone. The goal of
taking anabolic steroids is to increase muscle mass. Anabolic refers to this muscle-building capability.
Anabolic steroids should not be confused with corticosteroids, which are used routinely as anti-inflammatory
medications to help treat illnesses ∈ which inflammation is part of the disease process.
In today's society, anabolic steroid use has become common to augment sports performance, and abuse of
these drugs begins as early as \middle school.
Different Types of Steroids
There are two types of steroids present within the body. Corticosteroids are produced ∈ the adrenal gland
located above the kidney. These hormones include aldosterone, which helps regulate sodium concentration ∈
the body, and cortisol, which plays many roles ∈ 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 ∈ which inflammation is part of the disease process. The
use of steroid ointments and creams on the skin, liketriamcinolone and betamethasone, is common ∈ the
treatment of dermatitis (derm=skin + itis=inflammation).
The second group of steroids, the androgenic/anabolic steroids, are hormones made ∈ the body to regulate the
manufacture of testosterone ∈ the testicles and ovaries. The androgenic part of testosterone is involved ∈
developing the male sex characteristics, while the anabolic part is involved ∈ 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 ∈ cases ∈ which the
body does not make enough hormone and supplementation may be required. Some hormone supplements ∈
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 ∈a well-nourished body, anabolic steroids will cause
weight gain primarily due to an increase ∈ 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 ∈ the body and may include high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels, liver damage, heart
failure, acne, baldness, as well as aggressive and violent behavior.
There are a variety of common anabolic steroids. Some mimic the actions of testosterone directly, while others
cause the body to produce excess testosterone by interfering with the normal hormone regulation system ∈ the
body. The end result is the same. Excess testosterone is available to affect cell and organ function ∈ the body.
Aside from the chemical name, these steroids may also have a trade name and street name. For example, the
chemical stanozol is manufactured under the name Winstrol but is also known on the street as "Winny."
Genotropin is the manufacturer's name for human growth hormone (HGH).
There are numerous names for steroids, and each country may have its own variations on these names.
Steroids may be chemically similar to testosterone, like methyl testosterone or oxymetholone. They can also
be so-called "designer" steroids that are manufactured to pass drug tests, like norbolethone and
desoxymethyltestosterone.
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 ∈ cycles ∈ which they are used for a few days at a time, then stopped and the cycle repeated again days or weeks later. Medically Reviewed by a Doctor on 7/29/2014
Disponível em http://www.emedicinehealth.com/steroids/page2em.htm, consultado em 10/11/2014. (adaptado)
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