Steroids: Nothing good comes out of it

With filmstars and models being shown with rippling muscles and dreamy curves, most of us dream to have bodies like them. But is it possible for them to look like that always? Is there a trick in achieving that body for the camera? Probably there is. But many are so taken up by the image that they hardly check what’s happening behind the scenes.

Increasing cases in the healthcare sector are showing that many young men and women depend on steroids to get that “perfect muscle mass and sculpt” to look good. While it works wonders and also brings the desirable look, the side-effects, over a period of time, include psychological problems like violent behaviour, and can also affect internal organs leading to diabetes, cardiovascular and kidney diseases.

Short cut for quick result

Anabolic steroids and injections are often used as a short cut for quick results instead of a strict workout regime that will yield slow but best results. Many body builders use androgens to increase muscle mass and physical attractiveness. These steroids increase lean body mass and decrease fat in the body. Dr Dilip M. Babu, consultant nephrologist and transplant surgeon at Apollo Hospitals explained, “Use of androgenic steroids (AS) has become a serious public health problem.

Sudden deaths of youngsters, where autopsy reports are available, have been caused by cardiac hypertrophy and other heart diseases, which is surprising at that age. Chemical analysis has shown traces of androgenic drugs.” Also, the long term use of these drugs affects fertility in men. Dr Babu adds, “We are coming across young men who have been using anabolic steroids for too long and are now suffering from infertility problems. The immediate effect is a ‘good look’ but the long term consequences are ‘disastrous’ for many.”

With 78 per cent of young adults opting for these performance enhancing drugs, there is definitely a need to worry. Dr K. Shiva Raju, consultant physician and head of family medicine at Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, says, “The age-group that opts for these drugs is between 18 and 35 years. Majority of them take it for a short time. But in this short period either they have a kidney malfunction or a muscle related problem, which triggers the alert for them to stop it. But 5 to 10 per cent continue as their body type is not showing any side effects.”

Most youngsters are influenced by muscular men at the gym. As these men represent a class they see in films, the youngsters are often willing to give these drugs a try. Dr M.S.S. Mukherjee, senior interventional cardiologist at Maxicure Hospitals explained, “Most of the users do not confess to using these steroids because they are not aware of its consequences. They are using it to look good and once it is achieved they are satisfied.

Beyond that little thought is given to the changes in the body and also the damage caused over a period of time. They often come to hospitals with different organ diseases. Some of them report severe psychological problems and it is then when the abuse is detected.”Experts feel that there is a strong need for the state and central governments to intervene and carry out an effective, educative campaign against these drugs.

Dr Mukherjee explained, “The availability has to be restricted and celebrities must openly speak against the usage of such drugs. The Internet savvy generation looks up reviews on websites and there are many who give highly positive reviews, often confusing them. There have been cases where young men are convinced that their behavioural change and physical problems are not due to these drugs, and it has taken excessive medical counseling to change their attitude. But this is not possible for all as a few are too aggressive to even lend their ears to the side-effects of steroids.”