Transforaminal injection of steroids is a viable alternative to surgery for lumbar radicular pain due to disc herniation, according to a recently concluded study by researchers from Australia.

It was remarked by editorial author Dr. Ray Baker that results of this study are particularly impressive while considering the stringent study design.

From Esciencenews.com:

Transforaminal injection—the injection of steroids directly and accurately onto the affected spinal nerve under radiologic guidance—has proved more effective than interlaminar injection of steroids with respect to pain relief and improvement of disability. However, controlled studies of this method of administration produce conflicting results.

The present study examined whether the transforaminal route of injection or the agent injected is the critical element in determining successful pain relief. Study participants were randomized into one of five groups: Transforaminal injection of steroids (TFST) to test its effectiveness; transforaminal injection of normal saline (TFNS) to test for an irrigation effect; transforaminal injection of local anesthetic (TFLA) to test the effect of a local anesthetic; intramuscular injection of steroids (IMST) to test for a systemic effect; or intramuscular injection of normal saline (IMNS) to test for non-specific (placebo) effects.

The complete details of this study appeared in the August issue of Pain Medicine, a journal published by Wiley-Blackwell on behalf of the American Academy of Pain Medicine, the Faculty of Pain Medicine of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists, and the International Spine Intervention Society.

Tags: lumbar radicular pain, steroids, TFST

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Results from recently presented from two French studies at the International Liver CongressTM 2010 press conference will help in informing clinical practice for treating patients afflicted with severe or acute alcoholic hepatitis.

It is important to note here that patients not responding to steroids have a six-month survival of around 30 percent and most death happen within two months.  It was suggested by the results that early liver transplantation can be proposed to non-respondents, pending a very careful examination of selected patients.

From Esciencenews.com:

Acute alcoholic hepatitis (AAH) however, is an absolute contraindication for liver transplantation. It has a low survival rate, with mortality remaining at around 35% at 6 months despite corticoid treatment, the current standard of care for the condition. The second study presented today will help inform a potential new treatment option for those patients who do not respond to standard treatment with corticoid. Data demonstrated that treatment with combined corticoids plus N-acetyl cysteine (C+NAC) showed an increase in survival rates. There have been few, large, well-designed trials advocating the use of N-acetyl cysteine to slow progression of liver disease. This latest study adds to the growing body of evidence in the benefits of treatment with C+NAC in patients with acute liver disease.

The results were presented by Professor Philippe Mathurin from the Hôpital Huriez, CHRU Lille, France.

Tags: alcoholic hepatitis, liver disease, steroids

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The Philadelphia Phillies star, JC Romero, has taken legal action against the manufacturers and distributors of nutritional supplements after he tested positive for steroid abuse.

It was alleged by Romero that it was not him, but the manufacturers and distributors of nutritional supplements who were responsible for his positive drug test.

From NYdailynews.com:

Suspended Phillies reliever J.C. Romero is suing the makers and distributors of nutritional supplements that he says are responsible for his positive steroid test last August.

The 27-page lawsuit, filed Monday in New Jersey Superior Court in Camden County, blames the product 6-OXO Extreme for traces of androstenedione found in the pitcher’s urine on Aug. 26, 2008.

The numerous counts in the lawsuit include negligence, intentional misrepresentation and consumer fraud. The four defendants named are GNC, Vitamin Shoppe, Ergopharm and Proviant Technologies.

Romero tested positive for androstenedione and was handed over a 50-game suspension but was allowed to workout in spring training session without being paid.

Tags: androstenedione, J.C. Romero, nutritional supplements, Phillies, positive steroid test, steroid abuse

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The use of steroids by girls is not merely restricted to athletics only, according to a study published in Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, a JAMA/Archives journal.

It was remarked by team of researchers from the Division of Health Promotion & Sports Medicine at Oregon Health & Science University that female teens use steroids for many unhealthy choices, including diet pills and smoking.

From Sciencedaily.com:

In addition to greater substance use, young female steroid users were more likely to have had sexual intercourse before age 13; have been pregnant; drink and drive or have ridden with a drinking driver; carry a weapon; have been in a fight on school property; have feelings of sadness or hopelessness almost every day for at least two weeks; and have attempted suicide. Those reporting anabolic steroid use were less likely to participate in team athletics.

Overall, more than two-thirds of those surveyed reported trying to change their weight. Girls who used steroids were more likely try extreme weight-loss techniques, such as vomiting and laxative use.

Adolescent girls reporting anabolic steroid use had significantly more other health-harming behaviors, Elliot explained, “They were much more likely to use other unhealthy substances, including cigarettes, alcohol, marijuana and cocaine.”

Diane Elliot, M.D., professor of medicine (health promotion and sports medicine), OHSU School of Medicine said further study is required for developing effective interventions for high-risk young women who have received less attention than young men in the past.

Tags: Anabolic steroid use, steroids, substance use, use of steroids, use steroids

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Troy Glaus of the Cardinals has vowed not to make use of anabolic steroids in the future. This was after Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak met with Glaus for discussing a newspaper report that said the third baseman made use of steroids in 2003 and 2004 to help him in recovering from shoulder injuries.

Mozeliak said after meeting with Glaus in Phoenix that he is of the view that Glaus will not be duplicating the mistake again.

From Mlb.mlb.com:

Glaus, who hit 27 homers and had 99 RBIs last season, his first with the Cardinals, injured the shoulder again and underwent arthroscopic debridement in January. He is rehabbing with a private trainer in Phoenix, where the Cardinals opened a three-game series against the Diamondbacks on Monday.

Glaus declined to comment on specifics of the Times’ report, according to the Post-Dispatch.

“At this point, there is no reason [to go over the past]. I’m not going to comment,” Glaus said. “I’m in there [the gym]. I’m doing my exercises, and I’m going to do everything I can to get back as soon as I possibly can. From the exercises I’m doing now or working out — whatever it is I have to do so that when I come back, I’m ready to play.”

Mozeliak said he was satisfied that there would be no parallels between Glaus’ 2003 rehab and his current one.

Mozeliak said that he expects Glaus to committed to this program and get back to St. Louis as quickly as possible.

Tags: anabolic steroids, Cardinals, Phoenix, Troy Glaus, use of steroids

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The lifestyle followed by some high school and undergraduate students has come under severe criticism in the recent times. It is a concerning fact that youngsters are abusing brain steroids or commonly referred as neuro enhancers in order to perform better at educational and sport levels.

The primary purpose of steroid abuse by youngsters is to do whatever it takes to get on top of physical, emotional, financial, and psychological demands of the mind, body, and society.

From SMScollegian.com:

The ethical arguments on both sides for and against have some valid points. Those for their use say it is no different than using a chemical to enhance the mind like using caffeine to stay awake, and they discredit the term “brain-steroids” because they say that implies using artificial means to increase brain-power, instead claiming it just maximizes the potential already present within the mind. Those against it equate it with cheating saying that taking it before a test is like athletes doping before a game.

The most interesting point was those concerned that in the future parents who want their children to have any edge possible might encourage them to take neuro-enhancers, or adults could feel pressured to maximize output at work and earn more money. This may be possible, because looking back at high school, it was hard not to envy the students who partied every weekend, maintained a 4.0 GPA, took AP classes, played a sport and had their choice of Ivy League schools. If the future involves the same pressures we experience today to succeed, feeling the need to take these neuro-enhancers further emphasizes that pressure to work so hard and not sleep enough. Not every student can balance all these factors and still do their best.

It is high time that youngsters are handled with care so that they do not end up abusing steroids and can give their best without any fears of failure.

Tags: brain steroids, doping, neuro enhancers, steroid abuse, steroids

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A new study has indicated that the use of anabolic steroids could increase lean body mass and reduce fatigue to a significant extent in kidney disease patients receiving dialysis.

The study team of University of California San Francisco researchers was led by Kirsten L. Johansen, M.D., UCSF assistant professor of medicine, epidemiology & biostatistics.

From News.bio-medicine.org:

In a randomized, double blind trial, 29 patients were given either the anabolic steroid nandrolone decanote or a placebo (dummy medication) for a six-month period. All of the patients were receiving dialysis treatments at San Francisco General Hospital. At the end of the trial, patients receiving the anabolic steroid gained an average of 5.7 pounds more lean body mass than the patients who got the placebo. Also, the patients who received the steroid reported less fatigue and scored better on physical performance tests. The researchers’ results are published in the April 14 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

Hemodialysis, the most common form of dialysis in the United States, is a medical procedure employed when a patient’s kidneys cannot properly clean the blood of toxins and waste products. A patient’s blood is removed from the body via a tube inserted in a vein, filtered by a dialysis machine, and then replaced. Typically, this process must be repeated three times a week and takes three to four hours. In some cases, dialysis is considered a “bridge” while the patient is awaiting a kidney transplant - which can be up to a three year wait in the US.

The results of this study were published in an issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

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Hamsters exposed to the compounds demonstrated addictive behavior over time, according to a new study that was designed for testing whether androgenic anabolic steroids may be addictive in nature.

The study suggested that coaches and athletes need to be aware of addiction associated with steroids besides other dangers of using anabolic steroids.

From News.bio-medicine.org:

“Most people use anabolic steroids to enhance their physical performance, but they deny that steroids may be addictive,” noted lead researcher Ruth Wood, PhD, Professor of Cell and Neurobiology at USC. “Unlike other commonly abused drugs, the primary motivation for steroid users is not to get high, but rather to achieve enhanced athletic performance and increased muscle mass. The complex motivation for steroid use makes it difficult to determine the addictive properties of anabolic steroids in humans. Our goal was to create an experimental model of addiction where athletic performance and other reinforcing effects are irrelevant.”

Wood’s study is among the first to examine the potential for anabolic steroid addiction. The research was modeled after well-established methods used to study highly addictive drugs, such as cocaine and heroin. Hamsters were implanted with small cannulas for self-administration of commonly abused steroids into their brains. The animals then spent four hours per day in a chamber with access to two delivery mechanisms. When the hamster operated the active mechanism, he received 1 microgram of testosterone, or one of several commonly abused steroids: nandrolone, drostanolone, stanozolol, or oxymetholone.

The research, conducted by the University of Southern California’s Keck School of medicine was released at the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology’s (ACNP) annual conference.

Tags: androgenic-anabolic steroids, drostanolone, Oxymetholone, stanozolol, steroid, steroid use, steroids, testosterone

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More and more young men are today increasingly turning to anabolic steroids for improving their looks and self-confidence, according to a recent survey by a drug charity.

According to DrugScope, steroids are now becoming popular among young men between the ages of 16 and 25 and their popularity has extended beyond their use by body builders and athletes to improve their performance in the past.

From Bio-Medicine.org:

The survey revealed that they were using the drug as a short cut to a muscled and toned physique.

DrugScope’s chief executive Martin Barnes said, “The rise in the number of young men misusing steroids is extremely worrying and seems to be in response to a growing obsession with the ideal body image.”

The survey was conducted on drug agencies and police forces in 20 British cities and towns.

It found that 11 areas had reported an increase in the mainstream use of steroids, which, are normally only sold by pharmacists to people with a doctor’s prescription. Besides this the survey also found an increase in “speedballing” — injecting heroin and crack cocaine simultaneously.

Harry Shapiro, editor of Druglink magazine said, “It is clearly on the increase and if this trend continues, it will be bad news for attempts to reduce the spread of injecting-related diseases and the number of drug overdoses.”

DrugScope disclosed that use of crystal or powder MDMA, two forms of Ecstasy, had become more common though the predicted crystal meth epidemic had failed to materialize.

Tags: anabolic steroids, ecstasy, steroids, use of steroids

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A single 10 mg dose of the steroid, dexamethasone can be useful in terms of safety, efficacy, and affordability for treating bacterial or viral pharyngitis (sore throat), as per a Mayo Clinic study published in an edition of Laryngoscope.

In a study involving 118 patients, it was revealed that patients given dexamethasone in a shot or a pill form reported pain relief four hours sooner than patients on placebo in pill or injection form.

From Sciencedaily.com:

A team of researchers led by Julie Wei, M.D., a former Mayo Clinic ear, nose and throat physician resident; Andrew Boggust, M.D., a Mayo Clinic emergency medicine specialist; Jan Kasperbauer, M.D., a Mayo Clinic ear, nose and throat specialist and Amy Weaver, M.S., a Mayo Clinic biostatistician, initially observed how effectively steroids decrease nausea, vomiting and throat pain in children the day after they have their tonsils removed. Dr. Wei noted the children also were able to swallow food sooner after taking steroids.

“Studies have shown that steroids take away pain in children who have just had tonsillectomies,” says Dr. Wei. We thought we could apply the same principle to sore throat. The team reasoned that steroids also might help reduce sore throat. Patients with pharyngitis may experience difficulty with breathing and swallowing, resulting in dehydration and increasing the number of hospital visits. The team of researchers noted that steroids have been effectively used in emergency room settings for treatment of asthma, bacterial meningitis, cerebral edema, acute spinal cord injury and acute allergic reactions.

Sixty seven percent of patients administered with steroids returned to normal activity in 12 hours and 84 percent returned to normal activity in 24 hours.

Tags: dexamethasone, placebo, sore throat, steroid, steroids

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