Steroid

Steroids and Their Side Effects

Steroids and Their Side Effects

What are Steroids? Steroids (also known as cortisone or corticosteroids) are chemicals (hormones) that occur naturally in the body. Steroids decrease inflammation, suppress the body’s immune system, block DNA from being made, as well as blocking a chemical called histamine (released during an allergic reaction). Steroid medicines are man-made but are similar to these natural hormones. The type of steroids used to treat disease are called corticosteroids. They are different to the anabolic steroids which…

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Why Steroids are Bad for You

Why Steroids are Bad for You

What Are Steroids? Don’t confuse anabolic steroids with corticosteroids, warns physiatrist Kenneth Mautner, MD, of Emory University. Anabolic steroids are used to build up muscle. Corticosteroids are used to dampen overactive immune responses and reduce swelling. The anabolic steroids abused by athletes are synthetic versions of testosterone, a male hormone. Both men and women naturally produce testosterone. But like all hormones — which regulate the body’s most basic functions — throwing one’s testosterone out of…

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