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Corticosteroids -

Steroids, also called corticosteroids, are anti-inflammatory medicines used to treat a range of conditions.

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Anabolic steroids -

Corticosteroids are different from anabolic steroids, which are synthetic (man-made) versions of testosterone.

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Different types of steroids -

Steroids come in several different forms. The main types are tablets, syrups, and liquids. They also include inhalers and nasal sprays.

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Steroid creams -

Steroids can be applied in cream, lotion, or gel form.

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Steroid injections -

Steroids can also be applied as injections, given into joints, muscles, or blood vessels.

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Available on prescription -

Most steroids are only available on prescription from pharmacies. Others such as creams and nasal sprays can be purchased over the counter.

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Uses for steroids -

Steroid use has a wide variety of applications.

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Asthma -

For example, steroids can be used to treat asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

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Hay fever -

Allergies such as hay fever can be treated using steroids.

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Dermatologic issues -

Skin conditions, including hives and eczema, react well to steroids.

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Painful joints -

Steroids can be used to treat orthopedic disorders, things like painful joints or muscles brought on by arthritis, tennis elbow, or frozen shoulder.

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Trapped nerves -

The pain and discomfort caused by an irritated or trapped nerve, sciatica for example, can be eased using steroids.

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Lupus -

Similarly, pain as a result of lupus can be addressed with a course of steroids.

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Inflammatory bowel disease -

Steroid use extends to treating inflammatory bowel disease, for example Crohn's disease.

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Multiple sclerosis -

The symptoms of multiple sclerosis, a disabling disease of the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system), can be treated using steroids.

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How do steroids work? -

Steroids are a man-made version of hormones normally produced by the adrenal glands, located above the kidneys.

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What do steroids do? -

When taken in doses higher than the amount your body normally produces, steroids work by decreasing the pain and swelling caused by inflammation.

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Other functions -

Furthermore, steroids reduce the activity of the immune system, which causes inflammation in the first place. It does this by affecting the way white blood cells work (which enter your blood or tissues to protect your body from invaders).

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How are steroids beneficial? -

Steroids can be hugely beneficial when inflammation threatens to damage critical body organs, for example when worsening kidney inflammation could lead to kidney failure. In this instance, steroid therapy might eliminate the need for kidney dialysis or transplantation.

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Low-dose use of steroids -

Low doses of steroids might provide significant relief from pain and stiffness for people with rheumatoid arthritis.

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Short-term high-dose steroid use -

For acute rheumatoid arthritis, short-term use of higher doses of steroids might help an individual recover from a flare-up of the condition.

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Side effects of steroids -

Generally speaking, low-dose or short-term use of steroids shouldn't cause any noticeable side effects. But the chance of secondary conditions depends on the dose, type of steroid, and length of treatment. Common side effects of systemic steroids include increased appetite and probable weight gain.

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Mood changes -

Mood changes can be experienced by those using steroids.

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Sleep depravation -

Difficulty in sleeping is an unpleasant side effect of taking steroids.

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Problems with vision -

Blurred vision is a potentially alarming side effect of systemic steroid use.

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Skin conditions -

Acne is a reported side effect of taking  steroids. So too is a swollen, puffy face.

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Effect on blood pressure -

Steroid use can induce the onset, or worsening of, high blood pressure.

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What are anabolic steroids? -

Anabolic steroids are synthetic substances similar to the male sex hormone testosterone. While they do have legitimate medical uses, prescribed for example to help people with certain kinds of anemia and men who don't produce enough testosterone on their own, their application is extremely limited.

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Misuse of anabolic steroids -

Without a prescription from a doctor, anabolic steroids are illegal (they are class C drugs). But that hasn't stopped their use by many individuals who take them to increase muscle mass and improve athletic performance.

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Illegal substance -

Besides a professional athlete risking a heavy fine and/or being handed a long ban from competing competitively, misuse of anabolic steroids can cause serious side effects and addiction.

See also: How lifting weights can transform your life

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