Is ‘roid rage’ worth it?

Briefly, in 1988, a Canadian held the world record for the 100m sprint, as Ben Johnson was the fastest man on earth. We all know what happened next: he was found to have used performance enhancing steroids; his record was erased and he was disgraced.

In the summer of 2010, the use of anabolic steroids hit the news big time againThis time it was university sports. It was discovered that as many as nine players on the University of Waterloo Warriors football team were using anabolic steroids.

It cost all the players a year as the university suspended the sport for the following year.

The effects of improper use of steroids are seriousCertainly the players on the Warriors team would say so, but the real damage and danger of their use is for the individual.

Steroids are made in laboratories and have the same chemical structure as the steroids found in the male sex hormone, testosterone.

The two main types of steroids are:

1. Anabolic (for building muscle)
2. Androgenic (for increasing masculine characteristics).

The primary use of anabolic steroids is to promote weight gain and muscle development in farm animals. They have few medical uses, but their muscle-building effects make them appealing to athletes and bodybuilders. Except in very specific circumstances, anabolic steroids are rarely prescribed for humans.

Psychological effects of steroids Taking these drugs can produce a variety of psychological effects ranging from euphoria to hostility. While some report feeling powerful and energetic, steroids are well-known to increase irritability, anxiety and aggression (‘roid rage’). Mood swings and paranoia can occur, especially if the drug is taken in high doses.

Physical effects of steroidsThere is danger in the high doses taken by athletes and others including:

• Enlargement and abnormalities of the heart
• Blood clots
• High blood pressure
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Mania
• Depression. In fact, depression may persist for a year after drug use is stopped.
• Liver enlargement and liver cancer can also result
• Reduced fertility in women and low sperm count in men.

Some of these effects disappear when drug use is stopped, but others are permanent.

The effects of long-term use include:

• Acne
• Cysts
• Oily hair and skin
• Thinning scalp hair in both sexes.

Are the side effects and long-term damage worth it? A young person is likely to find it hard to make the call when all they see are the supposed ‘heroes’ of sport gathering acclaim, fame and money as they bulk up illegally. Unfortunately, the real problems do not show up in the statistics or on the sports highlights, do they?

Submitted by: Dr. Paul Martiquet, Medical Health Officer for Rural Vancouver Coastal Health including Powell River, the Sunshine Coast, Sea-to-Sky, Bella Bella and Bella Coola.