Steroids abuse

General or Other | Psychiatry | Steroids abuse (Disease)


Description

Anabolic steroids are synthetic derivatives of male sex hormone-like effects - testosterone. Is the generic term given steroid compounds that contain a core structure sterols (cholesterol nucleus of the structure). Anabolic steroids were synthesized in the 30s to treat hypogonadism, a condition where the testes do not produce enough testosterone for growth, development and normal sexual functioning.

Causes and Risk factors

Their main use is medical treatment delays growth of some types of impotence, breast cancer or weight loss due to infection with HIV or other diseases. They are also used by veterinarians to promote animal weight gain and vigor (cats, dogs, cattle and horses) and to treat anemia. Another category of persons who are known to be users of anabolic steroids are those whose occupation requires physical strength increased: bodyguards, construction workers and even soldiers.

The fourth category of people who abuse anabolic steroids consists of people who were previously subject to physical or sexual abuse. They use this method to protect the belief that if you are full bodied, more powerful, intimidating or unattractive will deter further abuses. Statistically demonstrated that the antecedent of rape led to doubling the number of female bodybuilders who abuse steroids. A fifth category of people who abuse steroids is made up of teens who have a risk-taking behavior based on high such as drunk driving car, weapons, illicit substance abuse. Most anabolic steroids are derivatives of testosterone. The human body produces testosterone naturally in: the men in the testes and ovaries in women or in other physiologically secreted tissues. Testosterone has relatively low potency and is rapidly metabolized by the liver.

Diagnosis and Treatment

If symptoms are severe or prolonged, medications or hospitalization may be needed.

Some medications that have been used for treating steroid withdrawal restore the hormonal system after its disruption by steroid abuse. Other medications target specific withdrawal symptoms -- for example, antidepressants to treat depression, and analgesics for head-aches and muscle and joint pains.

Some patients require assistance beyond simple treatment of withdrawal symptoms and are treated with behavioral therapies. ...