What is a steroid

Steroid

The term steroids refers to chemicals, most of which are hormones ( hormones ) in the body, as the body manufactures these substances naturally to help organs, tissues, and cells perform their normal functions, and it should be noted that the balance in the levels of these hormones something must be achieved so that the body can grow, and carry embryos in the stages of pregnancy and care, and on the other hand , called the term steroid also on steroid chemicals manufacturer medically, and divided these manufactured materials into two types of corticosteroids and steroids structural . ^[1]

Natural steroids

It can be said that steroids that are naturally present in the body are manufactured mainly in the body using cholesterol , by the adrenal gland, ovaries (Ovaries), testes , and from the placenta in pregnancy, and steroids can be divided Natural as follows: ^[2]

• Adrenal steroids: , and have two types; As for the first type, it is glucocorticoid hormones or glucocorticoids, and its functions include maintaining blood pressure levels within normal limits, in addition to their role as anti- inflammatory , and their role in the work of the immune system in the body, such as the hormone cortisol Which controls many metabolism processes, such as glucose synthesis and glycogen storage, and the second type is the mineral cortical hormones or known as mineralocorticoids, such as aldosterone , which mainly controls the balance between water and salts in the body.
• Sex hormones: These hormones are divided into two basic types, namely:
  • Male hormones: They are mainly represented by the androgen group , the most important of which is testosterone. Although they are considered male hormones, they are excreted in small quantities in women by the ovaries and the adrenal gland. As for their function in men, it lies in The development and maintenance of the male reproductive system, as well as the development of secondary sexual characteristics, has an important role in stimulating the development of skeletal muscles, bones, and red blood cells.
  • Female hormones: It is represented by two main hormones, namely estrogen and progesterone .

Corticosteroids

Including drug prednisone , and hydrocortisone , and cortisone , used to treat lupus , rashes, arthritis Aromatidi , asthma . ^[3]

side effects

There are some side effects that result from the use of corticosteroids, and these effects can be classified according to the form in which they are given, and the following is an explanation: ^[4]

• Oral corticosteroids: They are considered the most common side effects of their effect on the whole body, and the effects depend on the doses given, including the following:
  • High intraocular pressure .
  • Fluid retention in the body, which causes swollen feet.
  • Hypertension.
  • Weight gain, especially due to fat accumulation in the abdomen, face, and neck.
  • Suffering from mental disorders, on the level of memory, mood, and behavior.
  • High blood sugar levels, osteoporosis , slow wound healing, and an increased risk of infection if you take corticosteroids for a long time.
• Topical corticosteroids: Among the most prominent side effects of this type are skin thinning, red spots, and acne.
• Inhaled corticosteroids: Among their side effects are the appearance of a fungal mouth infection and a hoarseness of the voice. This can be prevented by rinsing the mouth with water after each use of these sprays.
• Corticosteroids in the form of injections: They cause side effects at the site of the needle, such as thinning of the skin, loss of color, in addition to causing insomnia and high blood sugar levels.

General advice

There are a range of tips that offer to achieve the greatest benefit from the use of corticosteroids and reduce the risk of side effects of use, and these tips as follows: ^[4]

• Ask the doctor about the possibility of reducing the dose given from it or reducing its frequency, for example that it is given day after day instead of on a daily basis.
• Try to avoid oral corticosteroids, for example, if you suffer from asthma , corticosteroids can be given in the form of sprays instead of oral if possible, and the goal is to deliver these drugs directly to the lungs, thus reducing exposure of the rest of the body to them.
• Take caution and caution when stopping taking oral corticosteroids, because taking these drugs for a long period of time stimulates the adrenal gland to secrete a smaller amount of steroids, and if the oral steroid medicines are suddenly stopped, the person will suffer from pain in various parts of the body, And a feeling of heaviness in the head, in addition to fatigue and general fatigue, and therefore it is advisable to reduce the dose gradually when planning to stop taking these medicines.
• Regularly see your doctor if you have been taking corticosteroids for a long time.

Anabolic steroids

Anabolic steroids are modified forms of the testosterone hormone. They were initially found for medicinal purposes, such as treating delayed puberty, as well as treating diseases that cause muscle loss such as AIDS and cancer, but these steroids have been commonly used by athletes who engage in sports. Bodybuilding to improve performance and physical appearance, but its use may result in the emergence of a group of side effects, which can be summarized as follows: ^[5]

• Suffering from some psychological problems and disorders such as suspicion, dangerous mood swings, and delusions that consist of having wrong thoughts.
• Kidney problems, liver damage , an enlarged heart, high blood pressure, and disorders of cholesterol levels.
• Suffering from some disorders in males, such as testicular shrinkage, low sperm count, baldness, breast implantation, and an increased likelihood of suffering from prostate cancer.
• Suffering from some disorders in females, such as excessive hair on the face and body, baldness in men, deepening of the voice, and changes in the menstrual cycle.

References

1. ↑ "What Are Steroids?" , www.webmd.com , Retrieved March 16, 2018. Edited.
2. ↑ "Steroid hormone" , www.britannica.com , Retrieved March 16, 2018. Edited.
3. ↑ "Prednisone and other corticosteroids" , www.mayoclinic.org , Retrieved March 16, 2018. Edited.
4. ^ ^{A b} "And prednisone : other Corticosteroids" , Www.mayoclinic.org , Retrieved March 16, 2018. Edited by .
5. ↑ "Anabolic Steroids" , www.drugabuse.gov , Retrieved March 16. Edited.