What Are Anabolic Steroids?
Anabolic steroids, also known as anabolic-androgenic steroids and performance-enhancing drugs, are synthetic types of testosterone, the male sex hormone. These medications are used by healthcare professionals to treat delayed puberty in boys and to treat various hormonal issues in men. They can also help treat muscle loss due to certain diseases. When prescribed by a healthcare professional and taken as directed, anabolic steroids are considered safe. However, some patients could misuse these medicines, leading to significant side effects such as infertility. Patients who feel they may have a condition that could benefit from the use of anabolic steroids should see their doctor for an evaluation. The doctor will be able to offer advice about the most effective treatment options and potential alternatives to anabolic steroids. Individuals prescribed anabolic steroids should ensure they are monitored regularly by their physician and that they take the drug for as short of a period as is necessary to treat their condition.
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Compare To Corticosteroids
Anabolic steroids and corticosteroids are both synthetic versions of hormones naturally produced by the body. Beyond that, they are very different medications and are used for different purposes. In contrast to anabolic steroids, corticosteroids are synthetic versions of the hormones produced by the cortex of the adrenal glands. Corticosteroids include glucocorticoids such as cortisol and mineralocorticoids like aldosterone. Cortisol is a regulator of immune system function, and aldosterone regulates the body's electrolyte balance. Corticosteroids are used to reduce inflammation in patients who have Crohn's disease, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis, or certain cancers such as leukemia and prostate cancer. Potential side effects of corticosteroids include thinning skin, weight gain, stomach ulcers, and depression. As synthetic versions of testosterone, anabolic steroids are used to increase muscle mass and to enhance athletic performance. Anabolic steroids may cause issues with male fertility, particularly if they are misused or not taken as directed.
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Uses For Anabolic Steroids
Doctors may prescribe anabolic steroids to treat some types of anemia, and these medications are also used to treat certain forms of breast cancer in females. They might consider anabolic steroids as a possible treatment for hereditary angioedema, a condition that causes swelling of the face, throat, windpipe, and limbs. They can assist patients in regaining muscle and weight after a prolonged illness, persistent infection, or severe injury, and they may be prescribed in cases where a patient struggles to maintain a normal weight. Oxandrin, stanozolol, and oxymetholone are some of the anabolic steroids physicians in the United States might prescribe. These medicines are available as injections and as oral tablets, and they should be used with caution in pediatric patients and elderly male patients. Anabolic steroids should not be taken during pregnancy, and it is not known if they are safe to use while breastfeeding. The dosage for injectable anabolic steroids is usually based on age. To increase the effectiveness of anabolic steroids, patients should follow a diet high in both protein and calories during their treatment. If necessary, a nutritionist can provide advice on appropriate meal planning while using this medication.
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Side Effects Of Anabolic Steroids
Jaundice, bone pain, nausea, unusual bleeding, swelling of the feet and lower legs, and tongue soreness have been reported by both males and females using anabolic steroids. Rarely, these medicines could produce abdominal pain, persistent headaches, hives, and loss of appetite; these effects are more likely with long-term use. Prolonged use might also lead to dark-colored urine, bloody vomit, sore throat, and black or light-colored stools. Patients have sometimes developed purple or red spots on the inside of the mouth or nose, and the medication could slow down normal bone growth. For this reason, doctors should check the patient's height and take x-rays every six months to assess bone growth when anabolic steroids are used in pediatric patients. Liver issues, including tumors and peliosis hepatis, have occurred with high-dose treatment over a prolonged period. Anabolic steroids may increase blood sugar, and therefore, diabetes patients should discuss this risk with their healthcare provider. If misused, anabolic steroids could trigger breast development, baldness, or reduced sperm count in men.
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Withdrawal Symptoms
Individuals who are withdrawing from anabolic steroids could notice a variety of withdrawal symptoms. For example, patients may display mood swings or develop serious depression, and they might also feel restless or have trouble sleeping. Some individuals could feel very fatigued during the withdrawal process, and they may sleep for much longer than is normal for them. Weakness, muscle aches, low blood pressure, nausea, and vomiting have all been reported, and the patient might lose weight as they go through withdrawal. Abdominal pain is a possibility, and diarrhea might occur in some instances. Most patients experience significant cravings for anabolic steroids during the withdrawal process, and some have reported a decrease in sex drive. The symptoms of withdrawal vary considerably from person to person, and it is generally recommended that patients undergo withdrawal at a treatment facility where they can be closely monitored. Doctors can prescribe medication to ease withdrawal symptoms if necessary.
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Medication Interactions
When using anabolic steroids, patients need to be aware of the potential for medication interactions. For example, stanozolol interacts with anticoagulants such as warfarin, and stanozolol could increase the patient's sensitivity to these medicines. Individuals who use anabolic steroids and anticoagulants together may need to have their anticoagulant dose lowered. Since this interaction increases the patient's risk of serious bleeding, the patient should always let their doctor know immediately if any unusual bruising develops, as this could be a sign of internal bleeding. Anabolic steroids also interact with cyclosporine, a medicine that helps prevent organ rejection in patients who have had a heart, liver, or kidney transplant. Anabolic steroids increase the level of cyclosporine in the patient's blood, and the dosage of cyclosporine may need to be adjusted during treatment with anabolic steroids.