Steroids: all-over horror.* Some people take anabolic steroids Anabolic steroids A group of drugs derived from the male sex hormone testosterone, most commonly prescribed to promote growth or to help the body repair tissues weakened by severe illness or aging. Some anabolic steroids are given as appetite stimulants. illegally as a way to increase their muscle mass. But steroids affect more than muscles. Read below how steroids wreak havoc with brain and body. Then, finish the diagram, Write either how steroids affect the body part indicated by an arrow, or the name of the body part affected. * Anabolic steroids are artificial versions of the male sex hormone sex hormone n. Any of various steroid hormones, such as estrogen and androgen, affecting the growth or function of the reproductive organs and the development of secondary sex characteristics. testosterone. When a user takes steroids, the normal balance of hormones is disrupted. Hormonal confusion can lead to bodily confusion--men can take on female traits and women can take on male traits. Men, for example, can grow breasts, a condition called gynecomastla. And women can grow facial and excessive body hair, and get deep voices. Both sexes can experience male-pattern baldness. * The drugs may also cause stunted growth in teens. When there's an excess of hormones, the brain is fooled into thinking that the body has already gone through puberty, so it signals the bones to stop growing. That means teens may never reach their full height. * Anabolic steroids cause problems in the brain, as well. Because of their effect on the limbic system limbic system n. A group of deep brain structures, common to all mammals and including the hippocampus, amygdala, gyrus fornicatus, and connecting structures, associated with olfaction, emotion, motivation, behavior, and various autonomic functions. , a part of the brain connected with mood, some users experience homicidal hom·i·cid·al adj. 1. Of or relating to homicide. 2. Capable of or conducive to homicide: a homicidal rage. rages or moments of unprecedented aggression and violence. This condition is known as roid rage 'roid rage Sports medicine An acute psychotic response–uncontrolled outbursts of anger, frustration or combativeness–of unknown pathogenesis seen in those who abuse anabolic steroids, usually in body builders. See Anabolic steroids, Weight training. . * Most steroid users pop pills but some inject the drugs. When they share needles, this can lead to the spread of HIV HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), either of two closely related retroviruses that invade T-helper lymphocytes and are responsible for AIDS. There are two types of HIV: HIV-1 and HIV-2. HIV-1 is responsible for the vast majority of AIDS in the United States. and AIDS. * Finally, steroids make their way to the heart, causing potentially fatal heart attacks, and the liver, causing cysts and possibly liver cancer. ANSWER KEY Steroids, p. 7: Hair--male-pattern baldness; Bones--stunted growth; Brain/limbic system--roid rage; Arm/needle injection site--HIV/AIDS; Heart--heart attack; Liver--cysts and liver cancer. |
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