The use of anabolic steroids is on the rise and suggests that the outcome of many sporting events may not have been a natural occurrence. Instead, some of the players may have been using steroids to gain muscle mass, run faster, hit the ball harder, or have more energy and stamina to play the game. Using anabolic steroids is illegal and, even more frightening, very dangerous due to the many side effects these drugs can produce. Anabolic steroids are very similar to the true hormones produced by the body, namely testosterone. Just like abnormal hormone levels in someone who does not use steroids can be troublesome, the side effects of the anabolic steroids can be dangerous and even lethal.

One of the body systems that can suffer the most from the abuse of anabolic steroids is the cardiovascular system. This system is responsible for keeping your heart beating and pumping blood to all of the organs and tissues of the body. When someone uses anabolic steroids, it can have a major affect on this important system. One side effect is an increased heart rate or heart palpitations. This increased or irregular heart rate is not good for the body. The use of anabolic steroids can also cause hypertension, which is dangerous because it can cause damage to the blood vessels in the body because the heart and vessels are pumping blood faster than they should be.

The urinary-genital system also suffers when someone takes anabolic steroids, particularly when make take these substances. Users can experience painful urination, frequent urination, and a number of other urinary systems. Overuse of anabolic steroids can also cause testicular shrinkage, leading to fertility and impotence issues that may create problems between a husband and wife. The kidneys can also suffer from steroid use, as the kidneys are the filtering center of the body. Putting any foreign substance into the bloodstream creates additional strain on the kidneys as they try to clear the bloodstream of these perceived poisons.

Steroid users can suffer many side effects on the digestive system from the use of anabolic steroids. This is because the blood circulates throughout the body and takes the steroids through the entire body, not just one particular organ. People who use steroids can experience frequent nausea that leads to vomiting. Liver damage can also occur, leading to pain and other symptoms associated with liver damage. One of these symptoms is jaundice, a yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes.

The psychological effects of steroids are perhaps the strongest and most frightening. Since testosterone is linked with aggression, people using steroids often have difficulty controlling their anger and irritability. If the use of steroids is prolonged, these individuals can develop symptoms of mental disease including hearing voices, seeing things that don't exist, and becoming extremely paranoid. Understanding the many side effects caused by steroid use can go a long way toward discouraging both professional athletes and regular individuals from using these dangerous substances. This will take a lot of research and education on the subject, but would be worthwhile if it resulted I a reduction in steroid use.

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