For most of us, steroids are drugs; they hold a bad reputation and are not considered good by many people. Steroids are powerful and effective drugs, which are used to treat many medical conditions. The most common group of steroids is corticosteroids which treat arthritis, asthma, autoimmune diseases, skin diseases and some kind of cancer. Anabolic steroids are rarely used in medicine and mostly related to performance enhancement in athletics and competitive weightlifting.
The steroids are taken in the cycle if you want constant results. A steroid cycle is a duration, where a person uses anabolic androgenic steroids; the cycle often lasts for about four to fifteen weeks depending on the goals of the person.
A steroid compound means a particular steroid drug, like – Dianabol, Winstrol or testosterone. Using one steroid compound during a cycle is known as stacking.
What conditions can be treated with steroids?
As mentioned above, they can be used to treat various conditions, where the body’s defense system malfunctions and causes tissue damage. They are used as the main treatment for certain inflammatory conditions, like – systemic vasculitis and myositis. They can be used selectively to treat inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or gout.
Arthritis and asthma
Steroids are known to reduce inflammation from the body, and this is important in conditions like arthritis, where joint inflammation causes pain, swelling, and limited mobility. Corticosteroids are taken as pills for arthritis, and the medication spreads throughout the body. It can be injected directly into an inflamed joint that keeps most of the medication in the particular area.
Steroids have been proved effective for asthma. Corticosteroids reduce inflammation and also control the body’s immune system that opens the airways inside the lungs. They can be given as an inhaler for the routine care for asthma to reduce symptoms and prevent acute attacks. For the acute attacks, where hospital medication is required, steroids are given as an intravenous injection.
Eczema and cancer
Skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis are treated with steroid creams and ointments. In this case, steroids have numerous medical applications. Oral steroids are approved for autoimmune diseases, like – lupus, Crohn disease, and multiple sclerosis. Corticosteroids also aid in treating various eye diseases and some cancers. It also helps or prevent reduce nausea associated with chemotherapy; it also aids in decreasing allergic reactions, which are caused by blood transfusions.
Types of steroids
Steroids can be taken in two ways – injectable and oral.
Injectable steroids can seem very overwhelming for beginners. If you face issue with injectable steroids, then opt for oral based steroid cycle as your first cycle like – Dianabol, Anavar or Winstrol. If you want to take oral, then limit yourself to anabolic compounds, as others may prove toxic to the liver.
For injectable ones – it allows the use of a wide array of steroids like – testosterone, deca durabolin, Trenbolone, etc. if you want, you can get help online or have a friend, who has been using it and has experience. If you are looking for online steroids, then there are injectable steroid cycles for sale, which are available at affordable rates.
Why are they injected?
The body parts having inflammation are treated by injecting steroids, which reaches directly to the problem area. When they are given by mouth, the adequate amount reaching the problem area is not sure. The side effects are also associated with oral steroids and hence doctors don’t prefer them.
When should steroid injections not to be used?
Steroids should not be used if there is an infection in the required area or any other part of the body. It could hinder the natural infection-fighting immune response. If a joint is damaged severely, then injections won’t be beneficial.
If a person has some bleeding problem or consuming anticoagulants, the steroids injections can cause bleeding at that area. For such conditions, injections are given very carefully. For frequent cycles, like every three or four months, are not recommended, as there is an increased risk of weakening tissues in the targeted area.
Side effects of injectable steroids
- Infections are common
- Allergic reactions can occur
- Bleeding can occur in the joints
- Rupture of a tendon
- Skin discoloration can happen
Steroids injections are the most effective ways to decrease pain and improve function, but they do not aid in curing the illness.
How can the effects be minimized?
There are many ways recommended by the doctor to minimize the side effects:
- Use steroids in necessity
- Monitor closely to detect the seriousness of side effects
- Use steroid injections for problems in specific area
- Opt for minimal dose to control the disease
- Reduce dose if the disease is under control
- Keep an eye on blood pressure and treat if necessary
- Check your bone density once in a year or two.
Who are not advised to take steroids?
People suffering from following conditions should not take steroids:
- Infection
- Have uncontrolled diabetes
- Have uncontrolled high blood pressure or congestive heart failure
- Peptic ulcer
- Osteoporosis
- Glaucoma
Conclusion
Consult a doctor, before you opt for injectable or oral steroids, as wrong dose may cause significant damage to your body.