What happens to your body on steriods?
Taking Steroids: Weighing the Benefits and Risks
There are two distinct narratives surrounding steroids. One is a tale of hope, while the other revolves around excessive use and addiction. Certain types of steroids have the potential to be life-saving. However, when taken in excessive amounts without the guidance of a medical professional, they can also be fatal. Which specific type of steroids should never be introduced into your body? At a fundamental level, steroids are artificially produced hormones that are naturally produced by the adrenal glands in the body. Hormones act as chemical messengers, instructing cells on which biological processes to carry out. For instance, insulin, a hormone, prompts cells to absorb more sugar from the bloodstream and convert it into energy. Throughout a person's life, hormones like testosterone and estrogen also signal various physiological changes. These hormones can also contribute to muscle growth, which will be relevant later on. Corticosteroids are the most commonly prescribed steroids by doctors due to their anti-inflammatory properties. They have numerous applications and can aid in the recovery from various medical conditions. On the other hand, anabolic-androgenic steroids are a more perilous type of steroids. Bodybuilders and athletes use these steroids to enhance muscle strength and performance. It is these particular steroids that can be hazardous if used improperly. Firstly, let us comprehend why steroids, when used correctly, can benefit and even save lives. It is crucial to remember that most steroids require a doctor's prescription to ensure the appropriate dosage and type of steroid is administered. Doctors may prescribe steroids for various reasons, often to alleviate uncomfortable conditions that are not life-threatening. Without them, individuals would experience significant pain and discomfort.It is important to note that taking steroids prescribed by doctors may have certain side effects, including increased appetite, mood changes, and difficulty sleeping. These effects are a result of the chemical composition in the body being altered by the steroids and the processes they initiate. It should be remembered that steroids mimic hormones, which signal changes to occur in the body's cells. While steroids may be utilized for their anti-inflammatory properties, they also impact the chemical levels in the body, inevitably affecting multiple organs and tissues. This leads us to the extremely harmful effects that steroids can have on the body. It is commonly known that individuals who misuse steroids may experience a decrease in sperm count or sudden outbursts of anger. While these side effects are valid, there are much more severe consequences that stem from steroid abuse. Anabolic-androgenic steroids, often referred to as AAS, are the type of steroids that are frequently misused. AAS are utilized to boost metabolism and increase muscle mass. They are typically a synthetic form of testosterone, a hormone responsible for growth in the body. Although AAS can lead to muscle growth, the process is far from healthy. Misusing anabolic-androgenic steroids can result in serious repercussions, making it crucial to reconsider before using them. Performance-enhancing drugs like AAS are prohibited in the majority of sports and competitions. Athletes caught using steroids face hefty fines and are stripped of their right to compete. Hence, the utilization of steroids appears irrational due to the significant risks outweighing the benefits. Nevertheless, this practice remains prevalent. As an athlete fixated on increasing muscle mass to outperform competitors, you diligently train but reach a plateau. Subsequently, you opt for steroids to enhance your performance. Post each workout, your muscle fibers endure strain or damage. The body naturally repairs this damage, leading to muscle growth. By deceiving the body into perceiving growth simultaneously, muscle development can be accelerated. You engage in intense weightlifting to break down muscles, followed by consuming an energy drink infused with steroids. These steroids circulate in your body, binding to muscle cells and stimulating protein production for muscle repair and strengthening. Concurrently, they induce cell division, prompting the body to generate more muscle cells. These processes may disrupt hormone balance, resulting in undesired physical changes and affecting brain chemistry. Both muscle growth and adverse effects do not manifest immediately, often taking weeks to materialize. Anabolic-androgenic steroids are estimated to enhance strength by 5 to 20 percent, driving their misuse. With each steroid intake, protein synthesis in your cells intensifies, crucial for muscle growth but potentially leading to excessive development of male characteristics. This phenomenon occurs in both male and female individuals using anabolic-androgenic steroids. As cells work harder, they demand more energy, explaining the heightened appetite experienced. The sensation of hunger is simply a signal from your brain indicating that your body requires additional nutrients to generate more energy. Anabolic-androgenic steroids also stimulate the breakdown of fat stores in the body, utilizing the fuel within them to enhance muscle mass and facilitate growth. As a result, individuals who take steroids experience a significant reduction in body fat. Additionally, these steroids prompt the body to produce more red blood cells, aiding in the delivery of oxygen throughout the body and increasing energy production. While these effects may initially appear beneficial, it is the subsequent consequences that should be of concern. Anabolic and androgenic steroids consist of a combination of various chemicals. The ratio between the anabolic and androgenic chemicals determines the specific impact of the steroid on the body. Anabolic chemicals promote and signal muscle growth, while androgenic chemicals stimulate the development of male sexual characteristics. For a steroid to be effective, it must possess both of these properties. For instance, a steroid containing solely anabolic chemicals will not facilitate muscle growth at the desired rate, as other hormones and proteins are necessary to support the process, which can only be triggered by androgenic chemicals. Furthermore, the ratio of androgenic to anabolic steroids can lead to certain adverse reactions within the body. The use of steroids elevates blood pressure and heart rate, as the body needs to circulate nutrients more rapidly to meet the demands of cells that are now producing proteins and dividing more frequently. Unfortunately, heightened blood pressure and heart rate can potentially result in heart disease or stroke. Hence, the instructions given by steroids to your body can potentially be fatal. Anabolic-androgenic steroids, such as those that mimic testosterone, can also have mental side effects. One of the consequences of elevated testosterone levels, particularly in males, is increased aggression and mood swings. This is a result of chemical imbalances caused by the steroids, which stimulate protein synthesis and other cellular processes. These changes in biochemical proportions affect neural pathways and the composition of brain chemicals. When these symptoms escalate, they can lead to a loss of rational thinking and aggressive behavior, commonly referred to as roid rage. Additionally, there appears to be a connection between steroid use and body image disorders. The chemical imbalances caused by anabolic-androgenic steroids can distort one's perception of their own body, leading to an obsession with losing nonexistent fat and gaining more muscle. This creates a harmful cycle, as the brain convinces individuals that they need to take more steroids to achieve an unattainable body image. Consequently, steroid abuse becomes prevalent, especially among those who do not consult their doctor before using AAS. In such circumstances, steroids not only disrupt biochemical processes but also become an addictive substance. While anabolic-androgenic steroids themselves may not be classified as addictive, their impact on brain chemistry can create a strong craving, similar to that of a drug addiction. . As muscle mass increases and the body's biochemical processes are altered by steroids, there are also harmful side effects taking place. Steroids can put a strain on the liver, as those who misuse them do not allow the liver to rest or recover, potentially leading to liver complications or failure in the future. This is when the use of steroids becomes life-threatening. The development of larger muscles through anabolic-androgenic steroids becomes insignificant if liver failure occurs. Additionally, there are noticeable side effects of anabolic-androgenic steroids, such as unwanted facial hair growth in females, deepening of the voice, decrease in breast size, enlargement of the clitoris, and irregular menstrual cycles. These side effects are a direct result of the chemical and hormonal imbalances caused by taking anabolic-androgenic steroids. In males, there are even more peculiar physical side effects, as steroid abuse can lead to hypogonadism, a condition that disrupts the production of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone. This can result in testicular shrinkage in males and infertility in both sexes. Once again, this highlights how steroids can enhance muscle growth but come with serious concequences
About the Creator
Lillian Formelová
Learning how things works is one of my favorite hobby and i decided to share my knowledge with you,so i hope you learn something new!!:3
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What happens to your body in a coma?
Comas should not be mistaken for sleep, despite the word's origin from the Greek term for deep sleep, "Koma." Comas are a form of unconsciousness that differs greatly from sleep, rendering individuals unable to respond to external stimuli. Even if you were to blast the loudest, most intense death metal music right next to someone in a coma, it would have no effect other than irritating the neighbors. In fact, you could even inflict physical harm on a comatose person, and they would remain completely unaware and unresponsive. In the past, this lack of response was sometimes seen as an opportunity for "treatment," with doctors attempting various methods to shock patients back into consciousness. These methods ranged from exposing the body to flames, drastically lowering body temperature with ice, to even bloodletting from the head. There were even cases where doctors believed that emptying the stomach completely would force the patient to wake up due to hunger. It seems that doctors were willing to try anything and everything, including the kitchen sink, to solve the problem. Comas can occur as a result of severe trauma or as a deliberate medical treatment. They are often triggered by traumatic head injuries, as the brain shuts down to focus on self-repair. However, comas can also be caused by stroke, brain tumors, drug or alcohol abuse, or certain illnesses such as diabetes or infections. Typically, comas last only a few weeks. However, if the coma persists beyond this period, the patient may enter a persistent vegetative state, greatly reducing their chances of recovery. In some cases, individuals who do recover from a coma may experience major or minor disabilities, including speech impediments, mental retardation, or difficulties with coordination. Medically induced comas are utilized in cases where patients face a high risk of brain injury, whether it be due to physical trauma, drug overdoses, or diseases. The main objective is to safeguard and regulate the pressure dynamics within the brain. In instances of injury or illness, the brain may swell and exert pressure against the skull, leading to oxygen deprivation in certain areas of the brain. By inducing a coma, the electrical activity of the brain is decreased and its metabolism is slowed down, thereby reducing swelling and inflammation. Various types of comas exist, each distinct from the others. A vegetative state indicates that the individual's body may exhibit physical movements like grunts or yawns, yet does not respond to external stimuli. These movements are purely involuntary, and witnessing a loved one's body yawn can unfortunately give rise to false hope. In reality, the brain remains inactive and functions only at the most basic levels. Conversely, catatonia involves a complete absence of movement or response of any kind- as the term suggests. Catatonic patients often require assistance from machines to facilitate breathing and potentially even heart function. Brain death signifies the complete destruction of higher brain functions, with the brain solely carrying out autonomic functions such as breathing and swallowing which are instinctual. A person declared brain dead has no possibility of recovery, typically resulting from severe physical trauma or illness. While a stupor is not technically classified as a form of coma, it is sometimes colloquially referred to as one. Individuals in a stupor may be roused, albeit with significant effort. They may easily slip back into a deep unconscious state, but more often than not, they will regain consciousness on their own. The concern arises if they descend so deeply into unconsciousness that their autonomic functions are compromised. During a coma, the brain exhibits no awareness or cognitive processing, and is entirely unresponsive to external stimuli. It is as if the brain has completely shut down or is undergoing a reboot similar to a computer. In less severe cases, the body will continue to perform basic functions such as breathing and pumping blood. In some instances, patients may even cough as the body tries to regain airflow when the airway is blocked. However, the brain appears to be unable to establish communication between the brain stem and the cerebrum, which is responsible for cognitive consciousness. This lack of communication occurs due to the reticular activating system. The coma state remains largely mysterious to doctors, and there is still much that is unknown about it. In 2013, doctors treating an epileptic man in a coma were surprised to discover brain activity in the hippocampus. This region of the brain is believed to be associated with emotions, memory, and the autonomic nervous system. It is possible that the unconscious person may experience memories but little else. The doctors conducted similar experiments on cats under general anesthesia and gained valuable knowledge that could potentially lead to the reversal of comas. However, it is important to note that the presence of brain activity does not indicate awareness or the ability to communicate about one's condition. Nevertheless, it does provide strong evidence that the brain takes actions to repair and protect itself while in a comatose state. The rest of the body generally remains unaffected by the coma, as functions like breathing and heartbeating are controlled by the passive nervous system. Coma patients often require intravenous feeding and hydration, as well as intubation to maintain a clear airway. Some patients may still retain the reflexes to swallow. However, the most common issue faced by coma patients is muscle atrophy, which occurs due to prolonged periods of inactivity. You do not have to be in a coma for this to occur; if you have spent several weeks as a couch potato, you have likely experienced muscle weakness due to lack of exercise. Simply taking a walk once a day can prevent muscle atrophy. Bedsores are a serious concern for coma patients, also known as pressure ulcers. These are common for individuals who are bedridden, immobile, or lack the ability to feel pain. They occur in areas of the skin under pressure from prolonged bed rest, sitting, or wearing a tight cast. If left untreated, bedsores can lead to infection and become deep, extending into the muscle or bone. They are slow to heal and may require surgery. Despite common misconceptions, most coma patients recover within a few weeks with some level of mental capacity. Ongoing research and advancements in treatment are improving our understanding of comas, as seen in a case where a 35-year-old man in a vegetative state for 15 years was able to achieve "minimal consciousness" through vagus nerve stimulation. This nerve is one of the largest in the body, connecting directly to the heart, lungs, upper digestive tract, and other vital organs. During his unconscious state, medical professionals successfully guided his eye movements towards objects, eliciting expressions of astonishment on his face. Regrettably, he remained unable to communicate verbally or exhibit any signs of higher cognitive function. Despite this significant progress, doctors caution that recovery from comas varies greatly among individuals, and what proves effective for one patient may not necessarily yield the same results for others.
By Lillian Formelová7 days ago in Education
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Since the only thing that might pull us back up is caring, it only makes sense that here, long after I’ve let my anger born of heartbreak and grief misplace, multiply, misdirect itself, let the enormity of my solitude turn into something I don’t know how to dispute with, something thick and heavy and suffocating, let the coldness thrash and fight under my skin, deeper still, in between the arches of my organs; here where the ground is always close and the fall is easy and I surrender to it often, lie without purpose for hours, it only makes sense that it is here, I decide to show up and surrender to the possibilities of the night. Show up to those who I deserted. Drawn to the sense of accomplishment, something I haven’t felt in a while, to memory of finished dish sending its aroma into the world and with it, wrapping the room with a strong sense of sweet nostalgia, I get up and decide to cook. I pick up my phone, type a message that reads “Dinner at mine @ 8PM, don’t bring anything” and before my courage deserts me again, drop it in our friends’ group chat, the way one would do when diffusing a bomb in the movies: one eye closed, snip at the wire, hoping for the best.
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Comments (1)
nice read!