Citation

Raber W. Austrian Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 2013; 6(1): 34-40.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Nowadays, doping is highly prevalent not only in professional sports, but also in competition-oriented recreational sports and in everyday life. Anabolic-androgenic steroids are still the most commonly detected substances. However, they are rarely used alone but together with growth hormone, insulin, erythropoietin, stimulants, selective estrogen receptor modulators, diuretics, glucocorticoids, and other painkillers or neuroenhancers (to name a few) for even greater performance enhancement, to counteract side effects, or for the dilution of doping tests. Body image and addictive disorders are common, proceeding even to street drugs. Long-term sequelae are largely unknown. Nevertheless, increased musculoskeletal injuries, cardiovascular, neuroendocrine, and psychiatric disorders are likely to be frequently associated. Great dangers are depression and an increased suicide risk, the inadvertent overdosage of street drugs, and toxicologically induced multiple organ damage caused by polypharmacy. Special diets and nutritional supplements may confuse doctors even more.

Language: en

Keywords

human; multiple organ failure; musculoskeletal injury; depression; sport; suicide attempt; Addiction; substance abuse; article; mental disease; cardiovascular disease; androgen; Performance enhancement; doping; Anabolic-androgenic steroids; neuroendocrine disease