Athletes and steroids: playing a deadly game
Article Abstract:
In the 1950s it was discovered that the Russians were giving their male and female athletes the male hormone testosterone to help them build muscle to improve their competitive performance. In response to this, an American physician developed an anabolic steroid which mimics testosterone to help weight lifters build muscle. This physician later came to regret this decision. The athletes who benefited from these drugs began to increase their usage without medical supervision. Today steroids are used and abused by both athletes and nonathletes who want to become larger and more aggressive, including policemen and military personnel. It is estimated that the steroid black market grosses approximately $100 million each year, and supplies the world with large quantities of drugs of quality. There are still physicians who prescribe steroids for their athlete patients, but increased awareness of the dangerous side effects and malpractice litigations have influenced a decline in this practice. The National Football League has had to test and set standards for steroid use because of the increasing drug abuse among players. Steroid testing is highly sophisticated and can detect minute amounts. Because of the involvement of the regulatory mechanisms in the human body, long-term steroid use can have suppressive effects on the normal hormone pathways and even cause feminizing effects in the male user. Some other long-term negative effects of steroid abuse include liver tumors and cardiovascular problems such as high blood pressure from fluid retention and a decrease in high-density lipoproteins (HDL), which help reduce blood cholesterol. The more immediate side effects include acne and uncontrollable rage. The desired effects of steroids are quickly lost when use is discontinued, and professional athletes are beginning to espouse the long-range benefits of good nutrition and regular training. The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) only recommends the use of steroids for certain types of anemia, breast cancers, allergic reactions, and hereditary diseases. Law enforcement efforts have increased but widespread education of the dangers of steroid use has to reach the coaches of young athletes everywhere. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Journal of Chiropractic
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0744-9984
Year: 1990
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ACA announces extensive public relations campaign to fight anabolic steroid abuse
Article Abstract:
The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) has launched an extensive public relations campaign designed to educate the entire chiropractic profession, and thus hopefully their patients, to the dangers of steroid drug abuse, primarily by athletes. The use of these drugs among athletes has been accepted by coaches, trainers, and even parents, who want their athletes to win, and may or may not be aware of the misuse or the dangers involved. The athletes often feel invulnerable to any possible hazards they are aware of. Sportscasters feel it will unfortunately take more publicized deaths due to steroid abuse before the hazards are taken seriously and the current trends are changed. The ACA has noticed the widespread lack of information regarding this topic and has decided to meet this need through its "Steroids: Not Worth the Risk" campaign. The ACA has developed a planning guide to help each chiropractor participate in this educational effort, including information about news releases, advertising, promotional material, and gathering data on steroid use in their area. A former boxer and steroid abuser, Bob Hazelton, is now dedicated to speaking to groups about the dangers of anabolic steroid misuse and is working with the ACA in this effort. He has lost both of his legs as a result of blood clots and gangrene, and has suffered several heart attacks, all of which he attributes to his excessive use of anabolic steroids. Chiropractors are urged to contact the ACA for its planning guide and materials to help make this a successful campaign. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Journal of Chiropractic
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0744-9984
Year: 1990
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ACA fights steroid abuse
Article Abstract:
The drug consciousness that has arisen in recent years results not only from an increase in drug abuse by the stereotypical drug users, but from an increase in abuse among the "clean cut" stereotypes also, the high school, college, nonprofessional and professional athletes. One major hidden area of drug abuse is the use of nonprescribed anabolic steroids by athletes. Many athletes naively start using steroid drugs as early as grade school and junior high school to achieve cosmetic and performance goals. Chiropractors can help teach athletes how to achieve the competitive results they want without ever resorting to steroid use. This issue of the American Chiropractic Association's Journal of Chiropractic is devoted to addressing this insidious and life-threatening health problem. The chiropractic profession can educate the public about the risks associated with steroid use and possible alternative approaches to performance optimization. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Journal of Chiropractic
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0744-9984
Year: 1990
User Contributions:
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