Dr. Ben Wedro practices emergency medicine at Gundersen Clinic, a regional trauma center in La Crosse, Wisconsin. His background includes undergraduate and medical studies at the University of Alberta, a Family Practice internship at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario and residency training in Emergency Medicine at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.
Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.
Anabolic steroids are used illegally to increase muscle, decrease fat, and
enhance athletic performance and body appearance.
Anabolic steroids act by
increasing the androgenic testosterone effects within the body.
Anabolic
steroids can lead to potentially fatal side effects.
Anabolic steroids may
be addictive, and users may go through withdrawal.
Prevention requires
community education, as well as reviewing why adolescents may want to start
using the drugs and understanding the risks involved.
What are anabolic steroids?
Anabolic steroids are one type of performance-enhancing drug. They mimic
testosterone in the body to enhance performance by making muscle cells larger
and by allowing the body to recover more quickly from the stress of exercise.
Slang for anabolic steroids is roids.
Performance-enhancing drugs are no longer just for bodybuilders or pro athletes who are willing to try illegal and potentially dangerous means to improve their body's function. These drugs are being used every day by people of all ages, from middle-school, high-school, and college students to older recreational athletes.
There are two types of steroids that are naturally produced in the body:
Catabolic steroids or glucocorticoids are part of the body's response to
stress. The word catabolic comes from the Greek word meaning to "throw down," and
these steroids help break down large chemicals into smaller ones. For example, cortisol helps glycogen
(a large molecule that is stored in the liver)
metabolize into glucose, a small molecule that can be used for energy by the
body. Cortisol naturally is manufactured in the adrenal glands and is required for many of the basic functions of the body, including glucose metabolism, the immune response to infection, and protein, fat, and carbohydrate metabolism. Prescription medications, such as
prednisone, hydrocortisone, and dexamethasone, are examples of steroids that are used to reduce inflammation and treat a range of illnesses from asthma and COPD to rheumatoid arthritis and
allergic reactions.
Anabolic androgenic steroids are steroids that mimic testosterone in the body. Anabolic refers to the properties of these drugs to increase production of proteins that act as building blocks for muscle cells, bone, and other tissues within the body. The androgenic response (andro=male + genic=formation) describes the increased male features (secondary sexual characteristics) that occur as a result of androgenic steroids, including facial, body, and pubic hair, deepened voice, and increased sex drive or libido. The medical indications for these medications are inadequate testosterone production in the body, either because of inborn errors of metabolism or because of illnesses that decrease production. Some physicians believe that decreased testosterone that occurs normally with aging is an indication for replacement therapy with anabolic steroids, but their use in otherwise healthy older patients is still controversial because of the potential serious side effects.
There are many different types of anabolic steroids that have been manufactured over the past decades. The goal of the chemists is to promote the anabolic effect of the drug while decreasing the androgenic effects that are most often associated with potential side effects that can be life threatening. Examples of anabolic steroids include the following:
Testosterone
Androstenedione
Stanozolol
Durabolin
Dianabol
Nandrolone
Reviewed by William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR on 4/23/2012
Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Medical Editor: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACRand Jay W. Marks, MD
Steroids are a class of compounds that share a similar chemical structure. This broad group of chemicals includes many normal
substances in the body (such as cholesterol), vitamins(vitamin D), hormones (for example, the sex hormones and their derivatives), and drugs given to treat
inflammation (hydrocortisone, prednisone). The adrenal glands secrete a number
of steroid hormones, known as corticosteroids, that are important for the maintenance of blood pressure, blood glucoselevels, salt and water balance, and other critical
body processes. However, when we speak of steroid abuse by athletes, doctors are referring to the misuse of the so-called "anabolic steroids," which are manufactured drugs similar to the male sex hormone testosterone.
The term anabolic refers to the muscle-building
properties of these man-made substances. Available legally only by prescription,
anabolic steroids are sometimes prescribed by doctors to treat conditions in
which testosterone levels are abnormally low, or in certain chronic conditions such as AIDSthat are
associated with loss of muscle mass.
Cysts are saclike structures that can occur throughout the body and usually contain a semisolid, liquid, or gaseous substance. Infections, tumors, genetic
Low testosterone can affect both men and women. Causes of low testosterone in males include undescended testicles and injury to the scrotum. Low testosterone
Liver cancer is the fifth most common cancer in the world and the majority of patients with liver cancer will die within one year as a result. Patients
Impotence, also known as erectile dysfunction, is a common
problem among men characterized by the consistent inability to sustain an
erection sufficient
Insulin resistance is the diminished ability of cells to respond to the action of insulin in transporting glucose (sugar) from the bloodstream into muscle
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the cause of AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). HIV is a type of virus called a retrovirus, which infects
Acne is a localized skin inflammation as a result of overactivity of oil glands at the
base of hair follicles. This inflammation, depending on its location,
The hepatitis B virus (HBV, hep B) is a unique, coated DNA virus belonging to the Hepadnaviridae family of viruses. The course of the virus is determined
Heart attack happens when a blood clot completely obstructs a coronary
artery supplying blood to the heart muscle. A heart attack can cause chest pain,
Jaundice is a yellowish staining of the skin and whites of the eyes (sclerae) with bilirubin, the pigment found in bile. Jaundice can be an indicator of
The time when boys and girls begin the process of sexual maturation is called puberty. During this time, both sexes undergo a series of biological changes
Drug addiction is a chronic disease that causes drug-seeking behavior and drug use despite negative consequences to the user and those around him. Though
Insomnia is the perception or complaint of inadequate or poor-quality sleep because of difficulty falling asleep; waking up frequently during the night
Regular physical activity can reduce the risk of disease. Regular exercise can also reduce the symptoms of stress and anxiety. There are fitness programs
Regular exercise can help reduce the risk of heart disease. To achieve maximum benefits, do a mix of stretching exercise, aerobic activity, and strengthening
Teenagers recognize that they are developmentally between child and adult. Teen health prevention includes maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly,
