Dangers of Steroid Abuse

All anabolic steroid use not prescribed by a licensed physician, is more properly defined as “steroid abuse”.  The reason for this is simple, “Steroids are very powerful hormones that can be extremely dangerous!”  They can cause a variety of health problems some of which can have lasting ramifications.  Although the twenty-three steroid related dangers listed below are not exhaustive, they certainly illustrate the risks and potentially harmful effects abusers face.

    Stunted growth.  Steroids can cause advancement and fusion of the epiphysis (growth plates in the bones).  As androgen levels rise it leads to bone age advancement.  When the bone plates are completely fused, growth is finished.  Furthermore, over-treatment with steroids can result in growth deceleration (slowing of the rate of growth).
     Increased risk of HIV and Hepatitis.  Because anabolic steroid users often do not have access to appropriate amounts of clean and sterile needles, or do not follow appropriate injection protocol, there is an increased risk of contracting HIV or other bloodborne pathogens.
    Increased risk of hair loss.  Anabolic steroids can convert to variants of Dihydrotestosterone, the recognized cause of premature hair loss.  In addition to contributing to loss, steroids can also expedite the process of male pattern baldness in predisposed users.
    Hypogonadism, the shrinking of testicles.  Because the body’s natural testosterone is no longer needed when anabolic steroids are administered, the body halts production of its own supply of testosterone results in a shrinking of the testicles.
    Increased risk of bodily hair growth.  This happens throughout the body, but not on the head, of both men and women.
    Elevated blood pressure.  Due to their ability to raise red blood cell count and Hematocrit levels, steroids can cause blood pressure to rise significantly.
    Increased amounts of LDL cholesterol (the bad kind).  This excess tends to remain on the cell walls causing conditions like atherosclerosis and heart disease.  An elevated LDL can generate a negative shift in triglycerides, which contribute to serious health problems.
    Lowered HDL cholesterol (the good kind).  HDL cholesterol is very dense, and actually helps to clear debris from arterial walls.  Lowering HDL cholesterol can increase the risk of coronary disease.
    Increased aggression.  Commonly referred to as “Roid Rage”, there is evidence that anabolic steroids contribute to increased aggressive behavior in some users.
    Addiction.  Although physical addiction to steroids is unlikely, the potential for psychological addiction is quite high.
    Enlargement of the left ventricle of the heart.  It has been well documented that coronary issues may result from the abuse of anabolic steroids, commonly beginning with the enlargement of the left ventricle.
    Liver toxicity. Orally administered anabolic steroids have been shown to increase the markers of liver function, and to cause liver toxicity.
    Edema (water retention). Elevated and imbalanced estrogen levels, coupled with increased sodium retention causes the user to retain water.
    Stroke.  Steroid use has been medically linked to an increased incidence of strokes.
    Steroids can lead to deathHeart attack.  Abusers of anabolic steroids face a variety of potential heart related complications, among which are an increased risk of heart attacks and the possibility of coronary disease.
    Prostate Enlargement.  Some steroids convert to Dihydrotestosterone and its variants, which can enlarge the prostate gland increasing the risk of urination problems and prostate cancer.
    Gynecomastia.  Certain steroids aromatize (convert to estrogen).  High levels of estrogen can cause the enlargement of mammary tissue in males, resulting in female-like breasts.
    Sexual dysfunction.  Some steroids directly cause a temporary of a loss of libido and sexual impotence.
    Infertility.  Some steroids cause a reduction in sperm count, resulting in decreased ability to reproduce.
    Deepening of the voice.  Although it occurs naturally in both men and women, steroid use can further deepen one’s voice.
    Clitoral hypertrophy.  Women who abuse steroids may experience an irreversible increase in clitoris size.
    Menstrual problems.  Female abusers may experience cycle irregularities, a hindrance or loss of menstruation, and further problems all of which contribute to a decline in reproductive ability.  

Steroid Use and Liver Cancer

Anabolic steroids have their legitimate uses, but abusing them can bring on a variety of health problems - some of which are connected to liver cancer.


Although well-documented reports linking steroids to liver cancer are rare, as more athletes use drugs to improve their performance or build their bodies, many types of dangerous side effects from the abuse of anabolic steroids are becoming known — and events are becoming more frequent.

Recently, there have been many instances in the news about famous athletes and performance-enhancing drugs, sometimes referred to as "doping." In most cases, the drugs that are being used are anabolic steroids. These drugs are manufactured steroids that behave like the male hormone testosterone. In the United States, it is illegal to use anabolic steroids without a prescription.

"Anabolic steroids are male-related hormones that can be used to increase muscle mass. When these drugs are abused they can have many side effects, including liver damage.

Liver Cancer: What Anabolic Steroids Can Treat

Anabolic steroids, under a doctor's prescription, will treat certain conditions in which increasing bone strength and muscle mass are required for health reasons. These medications can be helpful in the following types of cases:

    Delayed puberty
    Testosterone deficiency
    AIDS-related weakness

Liver Cancer: Anabolic Steroid-Related Liver Damage

Liver damage from anabolic steroids can cause a condition called cholestasis. With this condition, bile, a digestive fluid made in your liver, cannot get to where it needs to go and leaks out into your blood. Symptoms include:

    Itching
    Nausea
    Loss of appetite
    Dark urine
    Jaundice — the yellow discoloration of your eyes and skin

Damage to the liver is evident when enzymes called aminotransferases leak out of damaged liver cells into your bloodstream.

Another important point about anabolic steroids: They can be addictive. These steroids can cause steroid craving that leads to the need for more frequent and higher drug doses. Liver damage has been shown to be related to the cumulative effects of higher and more frequent use.

Liver Cancer: Can Anabolic Steroids Cause It?

Reports exist showing a slightly increased risk of developing liver cancer with long-term use of high-dose anabolic steroids. However,  the scientific evidence supporting a cause-and-effect relationship is weak.

But these steroids are known to cause tumors that form in your liver. Called hepatic adenomas, these tumors are not cancerous. However, they are dangerous because they can rupture and cause serious bleeding in the liver. There have been several reported deaths caused by bleeding from ruptured hepatic adenomas. The link between hepatic adenomas and anabolic steroid use in athletes is increasing. Recently, a case of a hepatic adenoma turning into liver cancer was reported.

Liver Cancer: Anabolic Side Effects

While there is not a strong link between liver cancer and anabolic steroids, there is strong evidence for serious liver damage. Other side effects of anabolic steroids include:

    High blood pressure
    Increased levels of bad cholesterol
    Mood swings
    Aggressive behavior
    Infertility in men
    Menstrual abnormalities in women

If you are an athlete or a body-builder and you are tempted to use anabolic steroids, consider that besides the legal and social risks involved, these drugs can and do cause life-theatening medical complications.

How to Protect the Liver During Anabolic Steroid Use

Liver harm from anabolic steroids comes principally or entirely from alkylated anabolic steroids. Where the steroids are non-alkylated and estradiol levels remain normal, there’s almost never harm to the liver from steroid use.

Example non-alkylated steroids are testosterone, Masteron, trenbolone, boldenone (Equipoise), nandrolone (Deca Durabolin), and Primobolan.

Keeping liver safety in mind, an effective cycle should have one or more of these steroids as the base, or even as the entirety of the cycle.

About 350-700 mg/week of a steroid stack, though, may be an alkylated compound. The most common alkylated steroids are Dianabol, Anadrol, oxandrolone (Anavar), and Winstrol.

Alkylated steroid use is preferably limited to only six weeks at a time, though of course many who go longer don’t suffer lasting harm. However, sustained use of oral anabolic steroids absolutely can cause undetected formation of scar tissue in the liver. This effect can be cumulative, as the scar tissue does not heal. And thoroughly excellent gains can be achieved without “pushing” the 6-week rule.

If cycle length is greater than 6 weeks, then appropriate amounts of testosterone can substitute for the orals. I replace Anadrol or Winstrol with testosterone on a milligram for milligram basis. I replace Dianabol on a three-to-two basis, or in other words, 50 mg/day Dianabol is replaced by about 75 mg/day of testosterone.

Oxandrolone, on the other hand, is replaced with Masteron on a three-to-two basis, or trenbolone on a two-to-three basis.

Each period of alkylated steroid use should be followed by about twice as much time not using alkylated steroids, or longer.

Estradiol preferably will be kept in the normal range, or not much above it, as elevated estradiol is slightly liver toxic. In and of itself estradiol toxicity is not greatly important, but in combination with alkylated steroid use, it adds to the toxicity.

Obviously hepatotoxic drugs and excessive alcohol use should be avoided, as should heavy use of NSAID’s, aspirin, or acetaminophen. Cautious use is fine.

In terms of supplementation for liver health, lecithin may be taken in amounts such as 3-7 g/day together with B vitamins. With regard to milk thistle, steroid-induced cholestasis results from reduced activity of the bile salt export pump, and silymarin and silibinin (components of milk thistle) act at this point and can partially block the adverse effects of steroids. However, cheap milk thistle products don’t provide much of these substances.

Liver protection supplementation may safely be omitted when the above principles are followed. Supplementation shouldn’t be a license to use alkylated steroids less carefully.

Basics on hormone replacement therapy

As we grow older our testosterone levels start to slowly decline while estrogen levels increase, In some bodybuilders this process happens a lot sooner than others because of the continuation of attacking your HPTA, Continually shutting your system down for weeks on end then trying to recover it isnt an ideal approach, over time this will effect your own natural production of test, In many cases the damage occurs to your HPTA and there is only one option which comes a lot sooner in life than it should - HRT.

With hormone replacement therapy we try to balance our sex hormones; testosterone, estrogen and progesterone to the same levels that they were at in our mid- twenties, symptoms of lower than normal test are; muscle loss,fat gain, gyno,depression,anger, low libido, erection problems,testicle shrinkage,energy level,low self esteem, irritability, unusual sleeping pattern and relationship problems, in fact every part of your life is effected and the day to day living becomes a toil.

First, blood tests need to be done to establish how your T- levels and some medical and lifestyle background will determine why your sex hormones are out of balance. A blood test needs to find the levels of your free and total testosterone, estradiol, total estrogens , LH, IGF-1, prolaction, DHEA, and several other hormones,

The blood test will determine what type of treatment is needed for balancing the hormones best, not all people should go straight on testosterone replacement therapy, with Andropause (male menopause) our body's go through a slow process where free testosterone levels slowly start to decline, if you were to go straight onto testosterone replacement it could potentially shut down your HPTA fully when it was still producing a certain amount, careful planning will help find which treatment is best for your individual problem. Bodybuilders who go straight onto test replacement may find that they need to stay on it for the rest of their life so sometimes other methods might suit the person better.

When the testes fail to produce Test and men have primary hypogonadism or hypogonadotropic hypognadism Test replacement is the answer, there are a few methods what could solve the problem but knowing the risks what come with each treatment will help to understand the benefits to risk ratio. We produce around 4-7mg of Test per day in a circular pattern with Max levels attained in the early morning and min levels in the evening. Mimicking and stabilizing these levels would be the best approach for treatment.

The best course of treatment would be a therapy what maintains serum concentrations of the hormone without giving significant side effects. many different treatments are available including injectables, tablets and transdermal systems. Within bodybuilding world many go with injection. Estered forms of Test are commonly used with injection of 200-300mg every 14 days (long esters) or shorter ester's can be used but frequent injection normally put a lot of BB's off.

Normally these injection will be good enough to produce enough serum Test levels, many need to adjust the dose or frequency to suit but with more mg comes more possible sides so be careful. Constant monitoring of Test levels to make sure they are in the normal ranges is needed, also men over 40yrs old should have their prostate check on a regular basis. Other sides of such treatment may be lipid abnormalities (reduce HDL,LDL & elevation in blood viscosityl), polycythemia,sleep apnoea, and prostate changes.

In many cases when treatment is implemented sides of andropause will stopped. many will feel a new person and a feeling of well being beholds them. There are positive changes in body composition to more lean mass and decrease BF.

Bodybuilders who are constantly shutting down the HPTA and using steroids over many years have a great potential of damaging their own systems. I've seen so many young guys who are on HRT due to steroids, please think very carefully because what you may do now at this stage could effect your in later life or even sooner. Because we use such higher than normal dosages of Test we get accustomed to the great feeling it produces and when we come off many suffer. I've not known one long term bodybuilder not suffer some of the sides mentioned in this thread. If steroids is the direction your going to achieve your goals makes sure you do it as healthy as possible, spend as little as possible on cycle to achieve your goals and try and keep shutdown to a minimum time. Remember it easier to recover from a short shutdown than it is longer ones.

Does T3 Helps To Lose Weight?

T3 is also known as triiodothyronine, a thyroid hormone. It is related to and even more important than the other but more popular thyroid hormone, T4 or thyroxine.

Thyroxine is the precursor of T4 and the production of both hormones is signaled in the thyroid gland by TSH or thyroid stimulating hormone.

Thyroid stimulating hormone is released from the pituitary gland and forms a feedback loop with both T3 and T4. Therefore, when the plasma levels of the thyroid hormone falls, TSH production is increased and when the thyroid hormones rise above their normal plasma levels, TSH production is reduced.

The control over the release of TSH itself is found in thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) which is released from the hypothalamus.

T3 is only 20% of the amount of thyroid hormones synthesized. The other 80% is thyroxine.

However, in the plasma T3 is only 2.5% of the circulating thyroid hormones. It does not last as long as thyroxine (the time taken for T3 concentration to reduce to half is 2.5 days while for T4, that time is 6.5 days).

Furthermore, most of the T3 found in circulation are produced from T4.

By simply removing an iodine atom in a specific position on the T4 molecule, T3 is produced. The enzymes responsible for converting T4 to T3 are found in different parts of the body including the thyroid, kidney, liver, adipose tissue, placenta, heart, central nervous system and even the pituitary gland.

Even though T3 can be made from T4, the body still makes triiodothyronine directly. This is done in the lumen of the thyroid gland.

The synthesis proceeds with the addition of iodine atoms to tyrosine for form monoiodotyrosine (MIT) and diiodotyrosine (DIT). These reactions require hydrogen peroxide to proceed.

MIT and DIT then combine together in a reaction catalyzed by an enzyme called thyroid peroxidase. The product of this combination is T3.
What T3 Does and How It Works

The biological effects of T3 are extensive and the hormone contributes to almost all the physiological processes in the human body. For example, T3 affects heart rate, the rate of metabolism, body temperature and growth rate.

In the blood, T3 binds to specific types of carrier proteins: serum albumin (with low affinity) and thyroid-binding globulin (with high affinity).

These molecules increase the stability and longevity of T3 but impede the uptake of the hormone by tissues. For T3 to pass through tissues, it must shed its carrier protein.

To produce its biological effects, T3 binds to thyroid receptors in tissues. In addition, because it is fat-soluble, it can cross into cells through their phospholipid layers.

T3 can be found in most tissues although it is notably absent in the tissues of the testes and spleen.

Its overall effect depends on the part of the body where it acts. However, T3 generally increases the basal metabolic rate.

When T3 increases the rate of metabolism, it does the following:

    Increase the amount of oxygen and energy used up by the body
    Increase the amount of calories required for normal body processes even when the muscles are rested
    Increase the population of sodium/potassium/ATPase, the primary energy-generating complex in the body
    Increase the use and breakdown of many nutrient macromolecules produced in the body

On proteins, T3 increases the rate of their production and degradation by increasing the amount of the enzymes, RNA polymerase I and II.

For carbohydrates, T3 increases gluconeogenesis. Gluconeogenesis is the production of glucose from stored glycogen. This effect is mediated by beta adrenergic receptors. By acting on beta adrenergic receptors, T3 can increase heart rate and pulse rate. Specifically, T3 increases systolic blood pressure but decreases diastolic blood pressure.

On lipids, T3 increases the rate of lipolysis. Specifically, it drives the breakdown of cholesterol and increases the number of LDL receptors.

In the brain, T3 increases the production of certain neurotransmitters especially serotonin.

The positive effect of T3 on serotonin is the reason it is now recommended (along with SSRIs or selective serotonin receptor inhibitors) in the treatment of drug-resistance and recurring depression and bipolar disorders. Different studies have established that long-term supplementation with T3 significantly improves the symptoms of (and may even “cure”) these psychological disorders.

T3 (or any of its prodrugs) is also used as a fat loss supplement. It has been proven to increase the metabolism of fatty acid and the breakdown of fat stored in adipose tissue
How T3 Can Promote Weight Loss

The only mechanism by which T3 promotes weight loss is by increasing metabolic rate.

Although it is a one-trick weight loss solution, that one trick is pretty remarkable. T3 increases basal metabolic rate by increasing the rate at which the body breaks down all food groups. It unlocks significant energy for the body to use, and it can produce very dramatic results especially in overweight people with diagnosed or silent hypothyroidism.

When the amount of thyroid hormones produced in the body falls, the rate of metabolism falls with it. In this regard, the amount of circulating T3 is more important than that of T4.

Because of the reduced metabolic rate, low thyroid functioning results in difficulty in reducing body weight. When overweight individuals adopt healthy, low caloric diets and take up regular exercise but still cannot shed weight, the most likely reason is low metabolic rate caused by low T3 levels.

Even a 10% reduction in metabolic rate can make weight loss very difficult. However, available clinical data suggest that most people who find it difficult to lose weight have 15 – 40% reduction in metabolic rate.

For this group of people, T3 is the magic remedy for losing weight.

The ability of T3 to prompting weight loss does not really depend on adopting a low caloric diet. In fact, the usual response to a low-carbohydrate diet is a reduction in the body’s metabolic rate. By supplementing with T3, the body keeps up a high rate of metabolism even with the amount of calories in the diet is reduced.

Exercise, on the other hand, has a more significant effect on the result of T3 supplementation in weight loss. In fact, T3 increases the amount of available energy, and practically encourages the user to exercise.

Unlike stimulants like caffeine and synephrine, T3 increases the rate of metabolism without such side effects as jitters. It does not make the user “hyper”. Instead, it simply energizes the user without the crash that comes from overstimulation with stimulants.

When taking T3 for weight loss, the aim is to increase the levels of T3 to the edge of the upper limit while not stepping over and setting off hyperthyroidism.

To do that, it is important to closely monitor the plasma levels of T3 while taking the supplement.

Where this is not possible, clear signs of hyperthyroidism such as irregular, rapid heartbeats should be the indication to stop T3 supplementation.

In most cases of abnormal weight gain even in the face of dieting and exercise, there is an impairment in the enzymes responsible for converting T4 to T3. Since most of the circulating T3 in the body comes from T4, such impairment makes it important to find another source of T3. This can be done through drugs and supplements that increase T3 levels.

Steroid Abuse and Treatment

Who abuses anabolic steroids? Mainly body builders and athletes abuse steroids to alter their muscle mass and enhance performance however steroids can be abused by anyone. Unfortunately steroids have many negative side effects which may lead to severe psychological and physical changes.

What Is Anabolic Steroid Abuse?
It was not long ago when steroid use and abuse was within the domain of athletes, body builders and physical fitness fanatics. But the increased availability of drugs (including steroids) across the country has affected everyone, even school-age children. Media images promote the concept of the big powerful athlete, bulging with well-formed muscles. Insecurity develops within and steroid abuse offers a new way to achieve that look that seems unattainable. But is it worth the risk?

Anabolic Steroids, like any drug, have a profound impact on the brain’s neurotransmitters, which can set up mood and behavioral changes. Scientific research shows that anabolic steroid addiction and steroid abuse can cause aggression and other psychiatric side effects.

Warning Signs of Steroid Abuse
Men who become obsessed with body building and who ingest steroids to help them increase their muscle mass may have a distorted perception of their bodies, called muscle dysmorphia or megarexia. It is usually associated with low self-esteem and is related to feeling small or weak. Generally, these men adhere to a strict diet and constantly analyze their body images in the mirror. Frequent workouts with weights for extended hours in the gym are common. These men often abandon close relationships, careers and other forms relaxation in order to exercise more.

Signs of steroid abuse and addiction:

    Inflated self-esteem
    Extreme mood swings
    Depression
    Paranoid jealousy

    Extreme irritability
    Aggressive/violent behavior
    Delusions
    Impaired judgment

Anabolic steroids are taken orally or injected and when abused are taken in cycles that last weeks or months (referred to as "cycling"). Cycling involves taking multiple doses of steroids over a specific period of time, stopping for a period and then starting again. In addition, steroid users may combine several different types of steroids to maximize the effectiveness and minimize negative effects. This process is known as stacking. Prolonged use of steroids can lead to steroid dependence and a host of major medical problems.

Steroids are abused by both men and women, but the side effects differ by gender. For women many of the side effects are irreversible and can lead to fertility problems and masculinization.

Gender specific side effects:

Male Side Effects 

    Shrinking of the testicles
    Reduced sperm count
    Infertility
    Baldness
    Development of breasts
    Increased risk for prostate cancer

Female Side Effects 

    Growth of facial hair
    Male-pattern baldness
    Changes in or cessation of the menstrual cycle
    Deepened voice
    Diminished breast size

Steroid Addiction Treatment
Steroid withdrawal must be medically managed by an endocrinologist for the safest possible drug detox. The major health problems created by steroid abuse are related to the alterations in the levels of hormones in the body. Steroid withdrawal must be closely monitored and a specific steroid taper needs to be prescribed. Severe depression is the most common psychological side effect of stopping steroid use. Recovery Connection recommends going to a medical detox center because they are best equipped to prescribe medications for depression.

Many times, the withdrawal period will far exceed the actual tapering period. Steroid detox, which removes the steroids from the body, does not help with the severe self-esteem and psychological issues that may be the underlying issue for those struggling with steroid addiction.

Withdrawal symptoms can mimic other health problems and can include:

    Weakness
    Fatigue
    Decreased appetite
    Vomiting
    Abdominal pain

Some steroid abusers turn to other drugs to alleviate the negative effects of anabolic steroid addiction. Therapeutic interventions are recommended to handle steroid addiction, addiction to other substances and the accompanying psychological issues.

Anabolic steroids help people with HIV put on weight and muscle mass

People with HIV who are treated with anabolic steroids to prevent AIDS wasting may realize modest gains in weight and muscle mass.

The review covered 13 studies of adults age 24 to 42 with HIV, 294 of whom received anabolic steroids for at least six weeks and 238 of whom received placebo. The average weight increase in those taking anabolic steroids was nearly three pounds.

The magnitude of weight gain observed may be considered clinically relevant. One hopes there would be greater weight gain with the long-term use of anabolic steroids; however, this has not been proven to date in clinical trials.

AIDS wasting, which leads to significant weight loss in people with HIV, causes severe loss of weight and muscle and can lead to muscle weakness, organ failure and shortened lifespan. Researchers have long sought to reverse this common, destructive effect of HIV with mixed success.

The wasting stems from loss of the body’s ability to grow muscle and from low levels of testosterone.

Anabolic steroids are synthetic substances similar to the male sex hormone testosterone that promote growth of skeletal muscle and the development of male sexual characteristics.

Although most recently in the news for their misuse by professional athletes, anabolic steroids have legitimate medical application for men with low testosterone and people with certain types of anemia. Two anabolic steroids available in the United States, nandrolone decanoate and oxandrolone, have been used to help increase weight and muscle mass in small studies of people with wasting.

Conversely, anabolic steroid use has been associated with increased rates of HIV in those who share needles or use nonsterile needles when they inject steroids.
In the review studies, anabolic steroids were administered to patients either orally or by injection. The main side effects were mild and included abnormal liver function tests; acne; mild increase in body hair; breast tenderness; increased libido, aggressiveness and irritability; and mood swings — all common side effect of anabolic steroid use.

The risks and side effects of taking anabolic steroids long-term are certainly of concern.

HIV/AIDS program director at the Group Health Cooperative in Seattle, suggests that clinicians should obtain blood testosterone levels, if an HIV-infected individual has had significant weight loss, significant fatigue or muscle wasting, and particularly if associated with a significant decrease in libido and erections. If testosterone is in the low or low-normal range then a trial of steroids could be tried. The individual and the clinician should decide what result would constitute a successful trial: weight gain of 15 pounds, a 30 percent improvement in sense of well-being or a successful erection once a week.

The reviews authors conclude that further studies are needed to determine if increase in weight leads to improved physical functioning and quality of life, and ultimately increased survival, as well as the potential for serious side effects, especially with prolonged use.

Anabolic Steroid Side Effects

If you’re thinking of using anabolic steroids you need to understand there are possible anabolic steroid side effects you may have to deal with. As with all side-effects pertaining to all drugs, many of the side-effects of steroids are largely individually based, as well as based on your own education and understanding. Many of the possible steroid side-effects can be prevented, many can be reversed once use is discontinued but you need to have a grasp of not only the possible steroid side-effects but how anabolic steroids work as well. If this isn’t a topic you’re familiar with, referring to anabolic steroids in general, be sure to brush up and do a little digging once you’re through here and then come back and read it again. If you don’t understand how anabolic steroids work the side-effects of steroids are not going to make a lot of sense.

Frequent Anabolic Steroid Side-Effects

Many anabolic steroids aromatize and this can lead to a few unwelcome steroid side-effects; most notably Gynecomastia but it is within this aromatizing effect many experience unwanted water retention as well. Your best bet for combating this nasty steroid side-effect is through the use of an aromatase inhibitor during your cycle, as well as performing a proper post cycle therapy. Many anabolic steroid users escape the “Gyno” monster during their cycle only to have it knock down the wall after the cycle due to excess estrogen buildup. Make sure you use adequate medications such as Clomid or Nolva after your cycle to not only prevent these types of steroid side-effects but to implore proper recovery as well.

Other common steroid side-effects revolve around cholesterol and blood pressure. However, many times and by “Many” we mean most of the time these issues can be avoided by eating properly, as well as supplementing your diet with the necessary means of proper function. Almost all anabolic steroid users will experience a drop in their HDL cholesterol (Good Cholesterol) and like Gynecomastia this is avoidable or easily remedied. Many anabolic steroid users will find supplementing with fatty-acids to be their saving grace.

As it pertains to the side-effects of steroids and high blood pressure, more times than not this is due to oral anabolic steroid use; not always but more times than not. If you fall prey to this effect the solution is simple; stop using oral anabolics. If you have blood pressure issues without oral anabolic use then unfortunately anabolic steroid use may not be for you. It should also go without saying; if you suffer from high blood pressure before anabolic steroid use you should forgo use until the issue is under-control.

Testicular shrinkage is one of the steroid side-effects most are familiar with. When we take anabolic steroids our natural testosterone productions comes to a stop. Due to this shortage in production our testicles shrink; they have no reason not to. If this is a concern there isn’t a lot you can do about it if you choose to use anabolic steroids; it is one of the side-effects of steroids largely accepted as inevitable for the male user. That said, once use is discontinued and your natural testosterone production begins again, your testicles will return to their normal size.

Irreversible Steroid Side-Effects

With the possible side-effects of steroids we’ve discussed so far, all are avoidable or reversible but there are those that once they’re there, they’re there to stay. Perhaps the most common is that of hair-loss; if you are someone who was going to go bald anabolic steroid use can speed up the process and once you lose your hair, short of a transplant there’s no getting it back. However, if you are not susceptible to baldness, generally you are in the clear. The most prevalent irreversible side-effects of steroids fall within usage of female anabolic steroid users. While females are susceptible to many of the same steroid side-effects as men, they are also prone to some unique unto their own; such as dreaded masculine effects. These steroid side-effects are reversible if caught early on and if abuse is not implored but once they are allowed to set in, often there is not a lot that can be done.

When speaking of irreversible steroid side-effects we would be remised if we did not bring up Gynecomastia yet again. Although it is easily preventable, if it is allowed to set up shop and not dealt with then it is there to stay. If you reach this point the only way you can have it removed is to physically have it surgically removed.

The Side-Effects of Anabolic Steroids and Responsibility

When it comes down to the side-effects of steroids the end results will be up to you. Use, not abuse is the key. More often than not, horrific anabolic steroid side-effects are due to irresponsible individuals who not only abuse outright but further have no understanding or education behind anabolic steroid use. Understand one thing, although many of the steroid side-effects you hear of are blown out of proportion or are for a better word an outright lie, side-effects of steroids are real but they are also manageable and avoidable.

How do anabolic steroids interact with the immune system?

High doses of anabolic steroids reduce the amounts of immune globulin A, G, and M in the blood. These proteins, known medically as IgA, IgG, and IgM, are part of the body's humoral immune system. These antibodies that circulate in the bloodstream and attack invading bacteria. Having fewer of them may make a person more likely to develop a serious infection.

Steroid injection can carry many kinds of bacteria and viruses past the protective skin and into the blood, causing infection. The use of syringes without strict sanitary and sterile conditions
can transmit infectious hepatitis, a life-threatening disease. Needle-sharing can lead to AIDS and other blood-borne diseases. There are two documented cases of AIDS transmission traced to needle-sharing in the gym.

By contrast, anabolic steroids increase the activity of the natural killer cells. Another of the body's defenses against infection, natural killer cells are specialized white blood cells that attack specific viruses and bacteria and help to prevent tumor formation. Increased natural killer cell activity could be helpful to the body.
However, overactive natural killer cells could also attack the body's own tissues, leading to diseases that are known medically as "autoimmune diseases."

Do Anabolic Steroids Cause Fungal Meningitis?

The recent fungal meningitis outbreak has been linked to contaminated methylprednisolone acetate (MPA) injections produced by the New England Compounding Center (NECC). The contaminated corticosteroid injections have resulted in 590 cases and 37 deaths. It has been a tragedy for the families involved. For anti-steroid crusaders, it has simply provided another tool to unfairly demonize anabolic steroids.

Various news media and anti-steroid organizations have erroneously included the risk of fungal meningitis as a possible side effect of anabolic steroids.

The Bay County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) is the most recent agency to add to the unwarranted hysteria among users of black market anabolic steroids.
BCSO Captain Faith Bell cited the NECC case as the reason BCSO investigators were concerned about fungal contamination according to WMBB-TV in Panama City, Florida.
Potential to spread the fungus and bacteria was our main concern. In this case, that people would be injecting this stuff and within a short window of time be dead.
Whether out of willful ignorance or careless fact-checking, the irresponsible statements by the BCSO has contributed to the societal hysteria regarding anabolic steroids.
The truth is that there is essentially zero risk of non-medical anabolic steroid users contracting fungal meningitis.
MPA is a synthetic corticosteroid and NOT an anabolic steroid.
MPA are introduced directly into the central nervous system (CNS) via epidural injections.
Anabolic steroids are introduced into the muscular system via intramuscular injections.
The risk of fungal meningitis is rare.
The current outbreak was solely the result of a contaminated MPA solution being injected into the central nervous system.
Individuals injecting anabolic steroids intramuscularly are not at risk of being dead “within a short window of time” from fungal meningitis.
It is still important to note that there are significant risks associated with the potentially-contaminated injections of UGL anabolic steroids of unknown quality.
But fungal meningitis is not one of them.
The media has utterly failed to make any corrections or clarifications with regard to this matter.

Anabolic Steroids Used for Weight Gain of HIV Patients

People with HIV suffer from a condition referred to as HIV wasting. This condition is characterized by involuntary loss of about 10% of the total body weight, often coupled with prolonged diarrhea, fever, or weakness. In HIV wasting, the weight loss is attributed to the loss of lean body mass or muscle mass.anabolic steroids

HIV wasting is caused by several factors, one of which is reduced food intake. HIV patients usually consume less food because they have low appetite. Furthermore, the medicines they take also have side effects that make them eat less.

Another factor that causes wasting in HIV patients is that their small intestine, affected by infections brought about by the disease, does not absorb nutrients effectively anymore. Finally, HIV patients experience wasting because their body?s metabolism is altered. The disease affects the way their body processes food and builds up protein.

A study conducted in 2005 showed that HIV patients have a chance to gain the weight they lost to wasting. This can be made possible by treating them with anabolic steroids.
The study involved HIV patients with ages ranging from 24 to 42. A total of 294 individuals were given anabolic steroids, which they took for 6 weeks, while 238 individuals were given the placebo. At the end of the study, those who took the anabolic steroids showed weight gain of almost three pounds.

According to medical experts, this amount of weight gained because of steroid intake is clinically relevant. This positive result has birthed the hope that more of the weight lost because of wasting can be regained by longer treatment of anabolic steroids.

Although more research is needed to establish this principle, the result of the study definitely brings good news to HIV patients. Scientists and medical experts have been trying for a long time to reverse the effect of HIV wasting, which can lead to extreme muscle loss and weakness. Wasting can even cause organs to fail and make the patient die more quickly. People with HIV or AIDS suffer from reduced testosterone levels, and their bodies are unable to build muscle mass.

So what are anabolic steroids? These are synthetic steroids that have the same characteristics as testosterone, which is the male sex hormone. They help the body to grow skeletal muscles.

Anabolic steroids have been made largely unpopular primarily because athletes misuse and abuse these products. However, they do have important medical applications and are being used to treat certain medical conditions like low testosterone level for men and anemia. Now this study involving the use of anabolic steroids for the treatment of HIV wasting proves once again that these substances have a significant role in the field of medicine.

In this study, the patients either took the anabolic steroids orally or through an injection. The side effects reported include acne, mood swings, slight increase in growth of body hair, aggressiveness, abnormal liver function tests, and irritability, which are all common manifestations of using anabolic steroids.

More study is needed to confirm if the weight gain caused by anabolic steroid intake will bring about an improvement in the patient?s quality of life. Experts also still need to determine how much gain weight translates to a successful result of treatment with anabolic steroids.

Anabolic steroid effects on immune function

In order to understand how anabolic steroids effect the immune system, you must first understand how the immune system works.
The organs of the immune system are stationed throughout the body. They are generally referred to as lymphoid organs because that are concerned with the growth, development, and deployment or lymphocytes, the white cells that are the base of the immune system. These organs include bone marrow, thymus, lymph nodes, and spleen.

Immune cells, like all other cells, are produced in the bone marrow. There are two main classes of immune cells or lymphocytes as they are called. These are known as T cells and B cells. T cells mature in an organ know as the thymus. Most T and B cells congregate in the various immune organs, while other travel around in the blood stream.

The lymph nodes house both T and B cells. These cells work together though different mechanisms. They are very dependent on each other. By effecting one group of cells, you throw off the entire function of the immune responce. Now a little bit about B cells and T cells.

B cells work chiefly by secreting soluble substances called antibodies into the bodies fluids or humors. This is known as humoral immunity. Antibodies typically interact with circulating antigens such as bacteria and toxic molecules, but are unable to penetrate living cells. T cells interact directly with their targets, attacking body cells that have been commandeered by viruses.
There are different subsets of T cells which carry out various functions.

Each B cell is programmed to make one specific antibody. When a B cell manufactures millions of identical antibody molecules and pures them into the bloodstream. A given antibody matches a given antigen much as a key matches a lock. These antibodies indentify the antigen and mark it for destruction. Antibodies can work in several ways, depending on the nature of the antigen.

T cells contribute to the immune defenses in two major ways. Regulatory T cells do one thing and Cytotoxic T cells do another. Regulatory T cells are vital to orchestrating the elaborate system.
Cytotoxic T cells on the other hand directly attack body cells that are infected. T cells work directly by secreting substances known as lymphokines. Lymphokines call into play many other cells and substances, including the elements of the inflammmatory responce.

Once you under stand why T cells and B cells are dependent on each other, it is easier to understand how AAS effects this partnership. I will discuss this in the next thread. I do suggest that everyone do some research and understand this more specifically. I basiclly just summerized how the immune system functions.


Although I could not find any specific studies regarding how AAS effects immune function, I was able to piece together several articles and come up with a general idea of how this works.
The immune system has two basic types of defense cells. The B cells which make up the Humoral immunity, and T cells that make up the cell immunity.

First the T cells are formed in the thymus. These T cells work directly by attacking the invading virus. Explaining all the actions of T cells would take forever to do. If you want to do more, there are loads of info on this available at other sites. Most AAS are known to suppress Cellular immunity, although they stimulate humoral immunity.

What first brought this to my attention were the vast number of articles relating to using AAS to treat autoimmune diseases. Most autoimmune diseases are caused by various T cells attacking your own body.

Small doses of winstrol, and deca, have been shown to have no effect on the cellular immunity, but still improves humoral immunity. It is also know that many AAS including deca have been shown to be antiinflammatory. Although I believe that deca accomplishes this through a different function as compared to the rest. This is greatly because cellular immunity is what causes inflammation.

Anti-Inflammatory Medications in Cystic Fibrosis Treatment

Eventually, most people with any type of chronic lung disease will find themselves taking an anti-inflammatory medication at some point in their treatment. Anti-inflammatory medications improve breathing by reducing swelling of the air passages. Some anti-inflammatory medications are taken for short periods to help speed recovery when a patient has a respiratory infection or other problem causing a flare-up of breathing difficulty. Some anti-inflammatory medications are taken long-term to help prevent swollen air passages and improve lung function.

Corticosteroids vs. Anabolic Steroids

Corticosteroids: Medications that imitate the effects of a hormone produced in the adrenal gland called "cortisol," which has many functions in the body including fighting stress and reducing inflammation.

Anabolic steroids: Synthetic versions of male sex hormones that increase male characteristics. Athletes sometimes use them illegally to increase muscle mass and strength. There are legitimate medical conditions for which anabolic steroids may be prescribed, but lung disease is not one of them.

Oral steroids, such as prednisone, prednisolone or methylprednisone, are sometimes prescribed to people with cystic fibrosis (CF) for short-term treatment. They are not recommended for long-term therapy because of the potential for serious side effects including:

    Growth retardation in children
    Diabetes
    Cataracts
    Osteoporosis
    Decreased ability to fight lung infections, such as the potentially deadly Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Inhaled Steroids

Inhaled steroids, such as Qvar (beclomethasone), Pulmicort (budesonide) and Flovent (flucticasone), are delivered directly to the lungs and have less side effects than oral steroids. Studies have not shown any particular benefit of long-term inhaled steroids for people with cystic fibrosis, though, so the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation advises against the routine use of inhaled steroids in people with CF unless they also have asthma.

Treating Meningitis With Corticosteroids

Early treatment of meningitis with steroids may prevent some common meningitis complications.

Prompt treatment of meningitis with steroids, such as dexamethasone may prevent two common complications associated with the condition, hearing loss and seizures. But the use of steroids in meningitis treatment is not without controversy. Some experts advocate their use, while others disagree.

Using Steroids to Treat Meningitis

Bacterial meningitis inflames the tissues and fluid around the brain, often creating pressure within the brain. Seizures may occur because of this increased pressure and inflammation. Also, this inflammation and pressure can damage the nerves coming from the brain stem that control hearing, causing hearing loss. Steroids reduce inflammation and pressure within the brain, thus lessening a person's risk of having seizures and hearing problems.

“A number of studies have shown that when steroids are given along with antibiotics, there’s a lower risk of hearing loss,” says Nathan Litman, MD, director of pediatric infectious diseases at Children’s Hospital at Montefiore Medical Center in Bronx, New York. Studies have also found that meningitis treatment with steroids significantly reduce the risk of death in adults.

When Are Steroids Used for Meningitis?

To be helpful, a steroid must be given right away. “They need to be administered at the same time that antibiotics are started,” says Dr. Litman. “If you wait eight to 12 hours, that’s too late.”

That’s because steroids work by halting the body’s inflammatory response. This will help prevent swelling and pressure in the brain and subsequent neurological complications. “Once hearing is lost due to meningitis, it’s usually irreversible,” says Litman.

Most children and adults of all ages can take steroids — the only exception is very young babies. Infants six weeks and younger are not likely to be treated with steroids because this meningitis treatment hasn’t been studied in this age group.

Pros of Steroid Treatment

A number of studies have shown that meningitis treatment with steroids clearly reduces the chance of deafness, and may lessen mortality as well.

In one review of 18 of those studies involving 2,750 patients, steroids appeared to reduce the risk of severe hearing loss in children. Additionally, an earlier study published in the British Medical Journal found that death among adult meningitis patients taking steroids was less than half that of patients not receiving steroids. Study results have been mixed regarding fatality reductions in children, however. 
Cons of Steroid Treatment

Corticosteroids can have adverse effects, including:

    Bleeding in the stomach
    Elevation of blood sugar
    Fluid retention
    Sleeping issues
    Mood swings
    Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)

There’s also concern that meningitis treatment with steroids could interfere with the body’s ability to recover from non-bacterial types of meningitis, such as meningitis caused by viruses or fungi.

“If it turns out that if it’s not bacterial meningitis, treatment with steroids could potentially do some harm,” says Litman. When test results rule out bacterial meningitis, steroids are typically stopped. Some doctors are also concerned that steroids could decrease the penetration of antibiotics into the fluid around the brain and spinal cord where bacteria reside, but not all experts agree about this.

But, depending on the patient, meningitis treatment with steroids may be warranted.

“From my perspective, the benefits of using steroids outweigh the potential risks, especially if given for a short period of time,” says Litman. Research on the use steroids to treat meningitis is continuing at a number of medical centers around the country.

Steroids to Treat Arthritis

Steroids  are synthetic drugs that closely resemble cortisol, a hormone that your body produces naturally. Steroids work by decreasing inflammation and reducing the activity of the immune system. They are used to treat a variety of inflammatory diseases and conditions.

Corticosteroids are different from anabolic steroids, which some athletes use to build bigger muscles. Examples of corticosteroid medications include triamcinolone, cortisone, prednisone, and methylprednisolone.
How Are Steroids Given?

Steroids can be given topically (cream or ointment), by mouth (orally), or by injection. When injected, they can be given into a vein or muscle, directly into a joint or bursa (lubricating sac between certain tendons and the bones beneath them) or around tendons and other soft tissue areas.
How Do Steroids Work?

Steroids decrease inflammation and reduce the activity of the immune system. Inflammation is a process by which the body's white blood cells and chemicals protect the body against infection and foreign organisms such as bacteria and viruses.

In certain diseases, however, the body's defense system (immune system) doesn't function properly and is overactive. This may cause inflammation to work against the body's own tissues and cause tissue damage. Inflammation is characterized by redness, warmth, swelling and pain.

Steroids reduce the production of inflammatory chemicals in order to minimize tissue damage. Steroids also reduce the activity of the immune system by affecting the function of white blood cells.
What Conditions Are Treated With Steroids?

Steroids are used to treat a variety of conditions in which the body's defense system malfunctions and causes tissue damage. Steroids are used as the main treatment for certain inflammatory conditions, such as systemic vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels) and myositis (inflammation of muscle). They may also be used selectively to treat inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Sjögren's syndrome, or gout.
What Are the Benefits of Steroids?

When inflammation threatens to damage critical body organs, steroids can be organ saving and, in many instances, life-saving. For example, they may help prevent the progression of kidney inflammation, which can lead to kidney failure in people who have lupus or vasculitis. For these people, steroid therapy may eliminate the need for kidney dialysis or transplant.

Low doses of steroids may provide significant relief from pain and stiffness for people with conditions including rheumatoid arthritis. Temporary use of higher doses of steroids may help a person recover from a severe flare-up of arthritis.

How Do I Know If Steroid Treatment Is Right for Me?

The decision to prescribe steroids is always made on an individual basis. Your doctor will consider your age, your overall health, and other drugs you are taking. Your doctor also will make sure you understand the potential benefits and risks of steroids before you start taking them. 

Management of HIV in Pregnancy

HIV infection in young children most commonly arises as a result of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT). It is thought that only 1.5-2% of MTCT occurs transplacentally during pregnancy. The vast majority occurs due to maternofetal transmission of blood during parturition or postnatal breast-feeding.

All pregnant women are recommended screening for HIV infection, syphilis, hepatitis B and rubella in every pregnancy at their booking antenatal visit. If a woman declines an HIV test, this should be documented in the maternity notes, her reasons should be sensitively explored and screening offered again at around 28 weeks.

A negative maternal HIV test at booking does not preclude neonatal infection - maternal infection and seroconversion can occur at any time during pregnancy and lactation. This is well-documented in countries with a high prevalence of HIV and has been seen in the UK.

Risk of mother-to-child transmission (MTCT)

This is increased with:

    Higher levels of maternal viraemia.
    HIV core antigens.
    Lower maternal CD4 count.
    Primary HIV Infection occurring during pregnancy.
    Chorioamnionitis.
    Co-existing other sexually transmitted disease (and malaria - possibly).
    Invasive intrapartum procedures, eg fetal scalp electrodes, forceps, ventouse.
    Rupture of membranes (especially if delivery is more than 4 hours after the membranes ruptured).
    Vaginal delivery.
    Preterm birth
    Female babies more likely to be infected early (transplacental/perinatal routes).
    Advanced maternal age.
    The firstborn of twins (born to an HIV-infected mother).

Factors that decrease risk of transmission are:

    Higher levels of neutralising HIV antibody.
    Elective Caesarean section.
    Zidovudine (ZDV)
    Less invasive monitoring and intrapartum procedures.

Management

Mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV infection can be greatly reduced through early diagnosis of maternal HIV infection.

    Pregnant women should be offered screening for HIV early in pregnancy because appropriate antenatal interventions can reduce MTCT of HIV infection.
    Interventions to reduce MTCT of HIV during the antenatal period include antiretroviral therapy, elective Caesarean section delivery and avoidance of breast-feeding after delivery.
    These interventions can reduce the risk of mother-to child HIV transmission from 25-30% to less than 1%.
    All pregnant women who are HIV-positive should be screened and appropriately treated for genital infections during pregnancy. This should be done as early as possible in pregnancy and repeated at about 28 weeks.
    Presentation with symptoms or signs of pre-eclampsia, cholestasis or other signs of liver dysfunction during pregnancy may indicate drug toxicity, and early liaison with HIV physicians is essential.

Drug therapy

Women who require HIV treatment for their own health should take highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and continue treatment postpartum. They may also require prophylaxis against pneumocystic pneumonia (PCP), depending on their CD4 lymphocyte count.

Women already taking HAART and/or PCP prophylaxis before pregnancy should not discontinue their medication.

    Antiretroviral therapy is given to prevent MTCT and to prevent maternal disease progression. The optimal regimen is determined on a case-by-case basis.
    Zidovudine (ZDV) is indicated for use in pregnancy for prevention of MTCT of HIV but single-agent ZDV therapy which does not suppress plasma viraemia to undetectable levels may allow the emergence of resistant virus.
    Potent combinations of three or more antiretroviral drugs (HAART) have now become the standard of care. Women with advanced HIV should be treated with a HAART regimen. The start of treatment should be deferred until after the first trimester, if possible, and should be continued after delivery.
    For women who do not require HIV treatment for their own health, HAART should be initiated between 20 and 28 weeks and discontinued at delivery. If they have a plasma viral load of less than 10,000 copies/ml and are prepared to be delivered by elective Caesarean section, an acceptable alternative is ZDV monotherapy initiated between 20 and 28 weeks, given orally, 250 mg twice daily, and intravenously started four hours before beginning the Caesarean section, continuing until the umbilical cord has been clamped. ZDV is usually administered orally to the neonate for four to six weeks.
    Combination antiretroviral therapy maximises the chance of preventing transmission and represents optimal therapy for the mother but may increase the risk of drug toxicity to the fetus.
    The use of antiretrovirals to reduce MTCT has resulted in resistant mutations and, in the Paediatric AIDS Clinical Trials Group Protocol, 15% of the women developed nevirapine-resistant mutations by 6 weeks' postpartum.

In sub-Saharan Africa, access to services is improving. In 2008, 45% of HIV-infected pregnant women received antiretroviral treatment compared with 9% in 2004. 

Urinary Tract Infections in Children

As many as 8 percent of girls and 2 percent of boys will develop a urinary tract infection. Furthermore, young children have a greater risk of kidney damage linked to urinary tract infection than older children or adults. The information below should help you recognize a urinary tract infection in children before it causes serious damage.

What causes urinary tract infections in children?

Normal urine is sterile and contains no bacteria. However, even under normal circumstances bacteria cover the skin and are present in large numbers in the rectal area and within bowel movements. Bacteria may, at times, get into the urinary tract and travel up the urethra into the bladder. When this happens, the bacteria multiply and unless the body gets rid of the bacteria, they can cause infection (urinary tract infection or "UTI."

There are two general types of UTIs—bladder infection and kidney infection. When the infection involves the bladder it can cause inflammation, swelling and pain of the bladder. This is called cystitis. If the bacteria travel upward from the bladder through the ureters and reach and infect the kidneys, the kidney infection is called pyelonephritis. Kidney infections are more serious than bladder infections, and can cause kidney damage especially in young children.

What are the symptoms of urinary tract infections in children?

Most often when there is a urinary tract infection, the linings of the bladder, urethra, ureters, and kidneys become red and irritated. This usually causes painful, frequent urination and children may pass urine with a foul odor. Many children start having urinary accidents, and/or bloody urine. If the kidneys become infected, children often have abdominal or back pain and fever. If your child is an infant or too young to tell you how he or she feels, the signs are likely to be vague and unrelated to the urinary tract. For example, your child may just have a high fever, or be irritable and not eating, or sometimes have only a low-grade fever, loose bowel movements or just not seem healthy. You may notice that the diaper urine "smells bad." If your child has a high temperature and appears sick without another obvious source for his/her discomfort (such as runny nose or ear ache), they should see a doctor. If a kidney infection is not treated promptly, the bacteria may spread to the bloodstream and cause a life-threatening infection or permanent kidney damage.

Older children may complain of pain in the low stomach area or back as well as the need to urinate frequently. Your child may cry when he or she urinates or complain that it hurts to urinate and produce only a few drops of urine. It may be hard for them to control their urine so they may have urinary accidents or bed-wetting. They may also produce urine that smells bad or looks cloudy.

How are urinary tract infections treated in children?

Urinary tract infections are treated with antibiotics. If your doctor thinks your child has a urine infection, they will choose a drug that treats the bacteria most likely to be causing the problem. Sometimes a few days later, after the culture results are finished, the antibiotic drug might be changed to one that is more effective against the particular bacteria found in your child's urine. In addition to antibiotics, you can help your child's body fight the infection by encouraging lots of fluids and very frequent urination.

The specific antibiotic drug, way it is given and number of days that it must be taken may depend, in part, on the type and severity of infection. If your child is very sick and unable to take fluids, the antibiotic may need to be given as shots (injected directly into the bloodstream or muscle) with your child in the hospital; otherwise, oral medicine may be given. The daily treatment schedule your child's doctor recommends will depend upon the specific drug prescribed: it may call for a single dose each day or up to four daily doses. In some cases you will be asked to give your child medicine until further tests are finished.

After a few doses of the antibiotic, your child may appear much improved or even have returned to their normal activities, but often it may take weeks before all symptoms are gone. Even if they are improved, it is important that your child take the antibiotic medicines as prescribed by your doctor and not stop them because just because the symptoms have gone away. Unless urinary tract infections are fully treated, they may return, or your child may get another infection.

Changes In Immune System

Administration of anabolic-androgenic steroids leads to body changes including changes in immune system. For an athlete those changes may have positive effects but sometimes may occur negative ones. During steroid therapy most athletes are resistant to viral infections. Latest studies on the effectiveness of steroids in people with HIV showed that such drugs as Deca Durabolin and Oxandrolone have positive effects over immune system. Due to this, many doctors prescribe anabolic steroids mentioned above to their patients.

However, if patient not observes any diseases during steroid therapy, the break in steroid administration may cause inverted effects for immune system. The immunity fights pathogenic microbes not as actively. Often those problems are connected with inverted effects of cortisone action – the hormone which is released during the apolexis in the body and also this hormone suppresses active action of immune system.

When the athlete stops to administrate steroids, his body experiences great androgens deficiency until his body supplies hormones production. Though action of testosterone and cortisone coincides in many ways, the lack of balanced androgens level leads to increase of cortisone action. Disbalance not only makes cortisone destroy muscle mass but also makes a man more vulnerable to virus diseases. Timely intake of necessary supplemental drugs (antiestrogens which stimulate testosterone action) is the best decision in such situations because it would restore balance of hormones in the period when athlete stops taking steroids.

Do not forget that during steroid therapy there may increase level of cortisone in the body. This phenomenon is called hypercortisolemia and it is quite common during steroid therapy. It is connected with anabolic-androgenic steroids, possibly, prevent body from elimination of cortocosteroids from the blood because these hormones do activate particular enzymes during their breakup.