Steroids are used everyday in the medical field.
Discover the reasons for and side effects from this type of medication!
Steroids in the contemporary society are being used not only for human consumption
but also for various other domestic purposes. When we talk of steroids, we are
referring to the class of drugs generally classified into two major groups
namely: anti-inflammatory and anabolic steroids. Anabolic steroids are
the most misused drugs especially by athletes. Weight lifters, wrestlers and
body builders are fond of anabolic steroids primarily to amplify muscle size
and body strength.
Anabolic steroids are sometimes used to treat various medical conditions in
human s as well as pets. It is however the anti-inflammatory group of steroids
which widely used as drugs for health problems. The specific clinical
conditions in which anti-inflammatory steroids are employed include:
brain swellings and internal inflammation, allergies, spinal inflammation,
immune mediated instances, arthritis inflammation and both stomach and
intestinal inflammation. Research has established that steroids are highly
effective when employed to reduce inflammations and tissue swelling. They are
also some definite symptoms relieved, though for a brief duration, by anabolic
steroids.
The most common anabolic steroid drugs used for medical conditions are like
Prednisone, Triamcinolone, Prednisolone, Dexamethasone and Medrol. Typical
prescriptions for oral doses are stated at the initial stage of medication,
followed by consecutively lower doses, until the dosage is clinically
discontinued. Steroids seem like if they mimic a naturally occurring
human hormone called adrenaline.
When anti-inflammatory steroids are used, production of natural adrenaline
decreases because the body recognizes natural adrenaline and the orally
administered steroid as similar molecules. Abrupt discontinuation of adrenaline
production can be lethal to a patient and it is therefore essential to taper
oral steroid doses carefully so as to prevent a steep deficit of natural
adrenaline in the patient's body.
Steroids are used to prompt muscle growth and repair especially in muscle
wasting diseases like cancer. They are also vital ingredients in vitality
medications aimed at improving the sexual drive of both male and females. Most
acute forms of terminal diseases need steroid derivatives to boost recovery of
wasted body tissues and promote general body strength, which is in most cases
is critically needed.
There are however some side effects associated with the use of
anti-inflammatory steroids whether for leisure or medical purposes. This is
adequately exemplified by pets. Numerous research findings have concurred that
dogs show severe side effects if they are continually exposed to the steroids
more than rats. They increase rate and intensity of thirst and general
appetite, closely followed by increased urine production, and a steep weight
gain. Dogs begin to pant seriously after minimal exhaustion and alter moods
frequently for no external reason at all.
These mood swings are particularly important in understanding why human users
of the steroids are always easily irritable and overly aggressive or even
violent. Tapering the steroid dosage down helps decrease the side
effects. Alternative medication should be sought if steroids are
ineffective or are producing extreme negative side effects.
But patients and physicians should always remember that long term steroid usage
induce numerous internal changes in the patient's body, often resulting to
over-production of the natural steroid called cortisol. In fact research
findings indicate that medical prescriptions if given for an extended period
become addictive. If a specific steroid medication is deemed necessary they
should be controlled and tapered down.
