| The use of steroids is headline news right now both | | | | teenager's body. |
| in the United States and worldwide. Big names in | | | | Users of steroids use injection as a means to getting |
| professional sports have rumored, or admitted to | | | | the substance into the body. They often are not |
| using steroids to bulk up their bodies and improve | | | | careful and use non-sterile injections or share needles |
| their game. Our teenagers look up them as role | | | | with other abusers. |
| models and it's sad to see them letting our teens | | | | Manufactured steroids are often made in |
| down. When they see their favorite athlete using | | | | environments that are not sterile and this puts the |
| steroids, they believe if it's all right for these stars, | | | | user in added danger. Hepatitis B and C, HIV, and |
| it's all right for them too. | | | | other viral infections can be injected into the body |
| Few realize what some of the terrible side effects | | | | with non-sterile needles. Infections can form at the |
| are for those who use anabolic steroids. Some | | | | injection sights and cause abscesses to form. A |
| teenagers discover too late and the damage is | | | | potentially fatal side effect is endocarditis which is a |
| irreparable or they are dead. Yes, it is that serious! | | | | bacterial infection that causes inflammation of the |
| Anabolic steroids are a synthetic substance that | | | | inner lining of the heart. |
| promotes the growth of skeletal muscles and is | | | | Steroid use has also been linked with liver tumors and |
| related to the male hormone testosterone. There are | | | | blood-filled cysts in the liver. If these rupture as they |
| over 100 known steroids that have been developed | | | | sometimes do, they cause internal bleeding, another |
| since first discovered in 1930. They were found to be | | | | potential life threatening condition. |
| effective in building skeletal muscle in laboratory | | | | Steroids affect the cardiovascular system. Misuse can |
| animals and were first used by weight lifters and | | | | cause heart attacks and strokes. These can affect all |
| bodybuilders. It caught on with other athletes and is | | | | athletes, even teenagers. |
| so prolific it has been know to affect the outcome | | | | There have been many reports of teenagers who |
| of sports. | | | | have died of taking steroids. Steroids decrease the |
| The lawful medical uses of these steroids are used | | | | good levels of cholesterol, and increase the bad |
| to treat some impotence, delayed puberty, and help | | | | cholesterol which can increase the risk of blood clots |
| the body fight wasting diseases like HIV infection. | | | | that stop the blood flow to the heart or brain and |
| These steroids are illegal in the United States but are | | | | become fatal. |
| smuggled into the country and sold by drug dealers. | | | | Steroid use can cause problems with the skin, such |
| The use of steroids can effect a good portion of a | | | | as acne and cysts. It can also cause oily skin and hair. |