What Are Steroids?
What Are Steroids?
If you have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis in your knees, it is possible that you are wondering about the role of steroids in treating this painful disease. A steroid is steroid which behaves like a natural hormone. There are five classes of steroids, as mentioned above, and these include the following: alkaline and acid steroids, hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, creatine and hydroxycutterone. Within these classes are also five classes based on the receptors in which they bind: androgen receptors, steroid receptors, hydrocortisone receptors, mineralocortical receptors, corticosteroid receptors and sex hormones. It is important that you understand what these hormones do and how they affect your joints if you are trying to treat osteoarthritis.
All of these hormones play an important role in the regulation of bone formation, metabolism, inflammation, neurotransmission, vascular responses and growth. Estrogen plays a vital role in the menstrual cycle and reproduction while androgen hormones are involved in the development of male sex organs and body hair. Glucocorticoid and thyroid hormones are responsible for the secretion and regulation of blood pressure, cholesterol, red blood cell production, inflammatory responses, vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels) and diarrhea. These hormones are also involved in the synthesis and release of proteins, vitamins, minerals and hormones. Androgens, which are primarily testosterone, are involved in the formation and maintenance of bone mass and muscle strength.
In addition, steroids can stimulate the secretion of human growth hormone (HGH), which has a vital role in tissue repair, growth and strength. The release of HGH stimulates tissue repair and growth and may help slow down the degeneration process in aging bones and muscles. Andrography is the study of the effects of anabolic steroids on the anterior pituitary gland. The anterior pituitary gland secretes HGH when there is stress to it. The anabolic hormones stimulate the secretion of human growth hormone and may contribute to the treatment of aging disorders like osteoporosis and rickets.
Among other anabolic hormones, HGH is the most important of all. It stimulates the regeneration and formation of cells, particularly bone and muscle cells. Research shows that the HGH helps in the prevention and reduction of fractures. It also helps in the treatment of depression, hypertension and diabetes and can delay the aging process.
The main source of hormones produced by the pituitary gland are the testes. In the childhood years, the testes produce hormones responsible for the growth of children. In adult years, these same glands produce again the same hormones responsible for the growth and development of an individual. But since most of these hormones are produced outside the body, the production of these hormones in the body may be irregular. This is where HGH comes to play its role.
An excessive secretion of HGH leads to a build-up of lactic acid in the blood. This causes fatigue, weakness, decreased mental alertness and short-term memory loss. When the lactic acid builds up at the brain, there is reduced blood supply to this part of the brain causing it to function less effectively. These are the main reasons why people start feeling down and tired even in their senior years.