With the development of society, competition grows harder in every aspect of life. Competitive sports are no exception. Athletes, bodybuilders, models etc. are always looking to enhance their performance in their respective fields, naturally or otherwise. Driven by their obsession to reach higher levels in their careers, many sportspeople are willing to use any means necessary to make sure they gain the competitive edge. The use of steroids in sports has been recorded as early as 2000 years ago. Back then, athletes were known to consume various herbs and even ram testicles. Apparently, these were sources of testosterone, from which the modern-day anabolic steroids are derived or processed. Today, due to the advent of these anabolic steroids, overdose and wrong usage are the major problems concerning steroids. Many athletes fail to consider the side effects and abuse these substances. This leads to a variety of health-related repercussions, including chronic diseases. Due to this form of abuse, major sports bodies of the world have now explicitly banned the use of anabolic steroids. These bodies include the Olympics, FIFA, NHL, NFL etc. These organizations require athletes to undergo various doping tests before they are allowed to participate in any events. Athletes found guilty of steroid intake are immediately banned from competition. It has been discovered by various surveys that steroids are used in large quantities by high-school athletes who are barely over their adolescence. This, combined with popular abuse, forced governments around the world to impose severe restrictions on these substances. The United States now reserves anabolic steroids under “controlled substances”. It is illegal for anyone to purchase them without proper medical prescription. So, you must be extremely careful if you wish to buy or use anabolic steroids, as any illegal dealings can potentially land you in prison. You must also consider the harmful effects and be responsible when considering these drugs. Steroids in sports Steroids are used in almost all levels of bodybuilding and competitive sports. These include baseball, basketball, track and field events, cricket, boxing, wrestling, soccer and even the Olympics. Recent studies show that a high concentration of steroid usage has been found in high schools and amateur sporting events. This means that athletes are ready to do whatever it takes to take achieve success in their athletic careers. Until the 1950’s anabolic steroids in sports were relatively unknown. Ancient athletes stuck to using special herbs or meat to increase their hormone levels and give them the athletic boost they wanted. In recent years, sportsmen have taken to anabolic steroids, although they know how harmful these substances can be when used without proper guidance. The first instance of steroid use in sports was discovered in the 1954 Olympics. Immediately, hordes of athletes caught on to this trend, and recognizing the dangers, the Olympic committee banned their use. But, the savvy sportsmen weren’t ready to give up yet. They began using disguised or stealth steroids which could not be detected by the standard doping tests. This was when all major sports bodies began banning anabolic steroids. Hence, the battle began to make sure that doping was stopped. Even today, athletes continue to cloak their steroid usage and benefit from them in competition. Despite many attempts by activist organizations to increase public awareness, sportspeople, including aspiring high-school athletes still use anabolic steroids without realizing the deadly side-effects. These range from heart-diseases to emotional imbalances to infertility. Thanks to all the controversy created by these substances, major world governments have now imposed serious bans over the usage of anabolic steroids. They are now considered “controlled drugs” and are no longer available for purchase without proper medical prescription. It must also be noted that once purchased, steroids must be consumed or injected only with professional guidance.
Archive for the Category ◊ health fitness ◊
Obesity increases a person’s risks for high blood pressure and diabetes, as well as cancers of the breast, endometrium, colon, kidney, and oesophagus. This is why world health officials are putting more money into obesity research and making sure that they get the information that they need to provide us with new ways to battle the new worldwide epidemic that is evolving. Obesity research is crucial in telling us what cause obesity and how we can tackle it. New medical research has shown us that obesity isn’t all down to unhealthy living but it is also narrowed down to what our DNA is made up like. Many people who have had members of their family that have suffered from being overweight or obese will be at a very high risk to suffer the same problems and therefore need to take extra steps to help prevent that from happening. Although genetics play a part in obesity research has shown that unhealthy living with bad diets and no exercise also plays a major part when it comes to obesity. To burn fat we need to burn more than we take in, if we do not exercise then we don’t burn fat therefore inevitably we will end up overweight then obese. Research helps us to know more about the complexities of obesity. Yet, there is so much more for researchers to explore, more time and investment needs to put be into obesity research so we can find more conclusive solutions to battling obesity. Obesity causes major health problems and researches have made note that unless the situation is addressed we can be facing a worldwide problem and breakdown due to obesity. It is a major complication in terms of operations as many doctors and consultants will not anaesthetize any one who is grossly overweight as this is extremely unsafe. Therefore more important medical problems can’t be solved or helped when obesity is a problem. Obesity research is crucial and extremely important when it comes to obesity and its finding needs to have action taken, there are far to many people grappling with the problem of being overweight and loosing the struggle and turning obese. Research finding should be made available in forms of books, television adverts, leaflets and school topics, doing this we will try to save the next generation from falling susceptible to the world wide problem that is obesity!
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While the whole world was masquerading in scary and outrageous costumes during Halloween, a team of scientists was making progress with the latest study on irrational fear. Results of this study are expected to expand current knowledge about treatments for major medical problems concerning irrational fear. “We’re taking all of what we learned from the basic studies of animals and bringing that into the clinical practices that help people. Things are starting to come together in a very important way,” said Stephen Maren, a psychology professor from the University of Michigan. The National Institute of Mental Health revealed that about 40 million Americans suffer from anxiety disorders. Being a basic primal emotion, fear is a key to evolutionary survival which we share in common with animals. Aside from genetics, traumatic events are closely associated with the development of overwhelming and needless fear. Ted Abel, a fear researcher at the University of Pennsylvania considers fear to be a funny thing. “ One needs enough of it, but not too much of it,” said Abel. According to Armi Rowe, a Connecticut freelance writer and mother, she used to be one of those rational types who are usually calm under pressure. She is not afraid to downhill ski the treacherous black diamond trails of snowy mountains. One day, however, while coping with some serious illnesses in her family, she felt fear closing in on her while she was driving alone. She thought that the stab of pain on her chest was a heart attack and called 911. Later on, it was learned that what happened was an anxiety attack. With the help of counseling, self-study coping exercises and introspection, Rowe learned to manage such attacks early on. David Carbonell, a Chicago psychologist specializing in treating anxiety disorders, said that there’s a trick to panic attack. “You’re experiencing this powerful discomfort but you’re getting tricked into treating it like danger”, said Carbonell. There is a possibility that by learning how fear runs through the brain and body, scientists can improve on how to dampen fear. Amygdala, an almond-shaped part of the deep brain, is the fear hot spot. New York University psychology and neural science professor Elizabeth Phelps said that amygdala is not the one responsible for all fear response but acts like a burglar alarm that connects to everything else. It was found that a certain chemical reaction in the amygdala is vital in the way mice and people learn to overcome fear, according to Emory University psychiatry and psychology professor Michael Davis. Mice never learn to counter their fears when that reaction is deactivated. D-cycloserine, a drug already used to fight hard-to-treat tuberculosis, was found to strengthen that good chemical reaction in mice. When combined with therapy, it produces the same effect on people who have a fear of heights, and is now being tested in survivors of the World Trade Center attacks and the Iraq war. Recent studies have shown that people easily recognize fear in other humans faster than other emotions. Other studies have suggested that bodily functions change just by being very afraid. One study found that very frightened people can withstand more pain than those not experiencing fear. Another found that experiencing fear or merely perceiving it in others improved people’s attention and brain skills. According to Carbonell, since the normal response for dealing with a real threat is either to flee or fight, the best way to deal with fear when the threat is unreal is to do just the opposite: “Wait it out and chill.”
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Postpartum depression, also referred to as postpartum non-psychotic depression is a serious condition afflicting mothers who have just had a baby. It interferes with a woman’s ability to care for the baby, and the condition attacks all mothers regardless of whether it’s their first, fifth or twentieth child. Some medical researchers believe that this condition may be caused by the fluctuation of hormones during pregnancy and after childbirth. While it is natural to feel stressed out, tired and anxious about childcare, such feelings should disappear quickly after childbirth. Postpartum depression may present itself with symptoms that include tearfulness, depressed mood, suicidal thoughts, trouble sleeping, fatigue, appetite problems, inability to enjoy pleasurable activities, feelings of inadequacy as a parent, and impaired concentration. Some women with postpartum depression may worry incessantly about the baby’s health and wellbeing, feeling that they cannot cope with the baby for fear of causing physical harm while having negative thoughts about him or her. Some confuse postpartum depression with a condition known as the “baby blues,” because they have similar symptoms, which contributes to the reason why so many frequently dismiss their feelings. But the baby blues is a passing state of heightened emotions peaking around three to five days after giving birth and may last from several days up to two weeks. If a woman experiences a prolonged period of experiencing these negative thoughts and emotions then it is possible that they have postpartum depression instead. Unfortunately, while women can recover naturally from the baby blues, postpartum depression needs medical attention. Some treatments for postpartum depression may be as simple as taking care of yourself and your body. Depression has been linked to sleep deprivation, and because you need to be up when the baby is, you also need to sleep when he or she does as well. Because most women are conditioned from childhood to expect that pregnancy and childbirth is a natural process, you often feel too ashamed to seek help for what may be seen as a made-up affliction. It is not shameful to ask for help or advice from family and friends who are also parents themselves or have experience with childcare especially if you are a new mother. Support is very important for women during this time, and talking often helps alleviate the sufferer’s feelings of fear and anxiety, reassuring them that they are not alone in experiencing such a distressing condition. Remember that you are not Superwoman, and that during this time of great upheaval in your life, juggling the responsibilities of work, family and running the household will be impossible without help. Medical treatment may differ from a case to case basis, depending on the severity of the condition. Many doctors may refer you to a psychologist for individual or group therapy or encourage you to join a support group. They may be helpful in making family and friends to understand that this is not a trifling or made-up condition. In more severe cases, doctors may prescribe antidepressant drugs such as Paxil (paroxetine hydrochloride) to help you manage your condition. Whatever treatment is prescribed, it must be one that is the most beneficial to you. The most important thing is that you seek help before its too late.
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Anorexia is a very common neuropsychological disorder that has a very high incidence in the young population. Anorexia is not just an eating disorder, it also involves many addictive behaviors and the development of various phobias related to food and being fat. Anorexics develop inaccurate perceptions of their physical appearance and they often see themselves as fat, regardless of how much they actually weigh. Anorexia is a very complex disorder caused by multiple interrelated factors. Although in the past anorexia was thought to be a purely physiological disorder, recent studies have revealed that it occurs on the premises of neuropsychological dysfunctions. Certain environmental factors also play a major role in the development of anorexia and the disorder seems to occur due to poor adaptation to the requirements and the ideals imposed by the society. In many cases, anorexia is developed by teenagers who come from very restrictive, demanding families. Children raised in a cold, insecure, non-functional familial environment are very exposed to developing anorexia. Young people who originate from dysfunctional families often suffer from depression, emotional insecurity and low self-esteem, features that can facilitate the development of anorexia or other types of eating disorders. Despite its pronounced environmental valences, anorexia is not entirely a psychologically-induced disorder. Medical scientists also suspect certain genetic factors to contribute in the occurrence of anorexia. Various studies have revealed that most patients have a family history of the disorder, suggesting a pronounced hereditary character of anorexia. Scientists believe that the genetic predispositions to this type of disorder can be easily transmitted from one generation to another. Hence, people who have blood relatives with anorexia are also at risk of developing the disorder. Although anorexia can occur in both sexes, the disorder has the highest incidence in the female gender. Anorexia is very common in adolescents, but it can also affect very young children or adults. Despite the fact that the disorder can occur in virtually any ethnical group and culture, anorexia is a common problem in Western society. The high prevalence of anorexia among people who belong to well-developed socioeconomic groups confirms the pronounced influence of environmental factors in the development of the disorder. The excessively promoted topical ideals of beauty and the pressure exercised by modern society upon the young have a great contribution in the occurrence of the disorder in teenagers. The categories of people exposed to the highest risk of developing anorexia are: teenagers, athletes, people with carriers that require maintaining a slim body (models, actors, dancers), people with a family history of the disorder, people who come from dysfunctional families and people with emotional problems (low-self esteem). Overweight children and teenagers are also very exposed to developing anorexia. People who suffer from anorexia may in time also develop bulimia, a similar type of eating disorder. People who suffer from anorexia need a lot of help and support in order to overcome their condition. Although people with eating disorders need to show a lot of ambition and cooperation in the process, anorexia can be effectively overcome with the means of psychiatric therapy.
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In recent years, the high profile murder cases of Laci Peterson and Lori Hacking in the United States has brought to light an growing threat to pregnant women—murder. According to a March 2001 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) using death records and coroner reports, state health department researchers found 247 pregnancy-associated deaths between 1993 and 1998, suggesting that the maternal murder phenomenon is the leading cause of death among pregnant women. Pregnancy should be a time of great joy between a couple, so why are all those women getting murdered by their partners? According to Dr. Diana Cheng, director of women’s health at the Maryland Department of Health and Medical Hygiene and her colleague Dr. Isabelle Horon, “Women tend to think pregnancy is a safety zone, especially if they are already in an abusive relationship, but what we’re seeing is that no woman is safe from domestic violence or its most severe consequences.” Unfortunately, most women who are in abusive relationships are physically assaulted by their partners even during pregnancy. Sometimes, this violence can result in injury for both the mother and child, miscarriage or death. The more alarming thing is that while the male partners of these pregnant women are often the chief suspects in the murder, it can be hard for the police to prove the fact and these men can go free to go on and abuse other women. Why then would a woman stay in an abusive relationship? Unfortunately, apart from the financial aspect, many women are compelled to stay in the relationship because of companionship and for the sake of the child. Many victims of domestic violence find convenient excuses for their partner’s behavior, some driven by the shame and disbelief that such a thing was happening to them. Women who are in comfortable financial positions and social standing may have more options but are not less vulnerable to domestic violence. Some women have asked, if he doesn’t want the responsibility of a child, then why doesn’t he just leave? Leaving the pregnant woman may be simple, but once the child is born there are other factors that will still tie him to his unwanted partner and child such as child support and alimony. Many of the men who murdered their pregnant partners had shown signs of psychopathic behavior even before the murder, and were likely to have been arrested for domestic violence. If you are pregnant and your partner isn’t feeling as joyous about the pregnancy as you are, it could be normal. Pregnancy is a big, life-changing event for the couple, and for men the emotional and financial responsibility it places on them can seem overwhelming. This feeling of fear and anxiety may be compounded by outside stressors such as problems with work, issues with their parents and physical or psychological problems. However, if you are getting some vibes that send cold chills up your spine, look for some signs and ask yourself these questions. Has your partner asked or told you to have an abortion? Has he said, he’s not ready to be a father yet? Did he break-off the relationship because of the pregnancy? Have you had disastrous conversations about child support? Any comments about you personally being the wrong person to have his child? Is your relationship an abusive one? If your partner has made direct threats that he would cause you harm if you plan to have the baby, protect yourself. Don’t keep the news to yourself, tell your friends or family about it, and if the harassment escalates report it to local law enforcement agencies. There are also support groups that can help you during this difficult time. It might also be a good idea to move to a different residence. It is better to be proactive than to end up dead. Don’t wait until its too late.