// BEGIN editorial data
 var i = 0;
var SteroidRisks = new Array();
SteroidRisks.ID = "SteroidRisks";
SteroidRisks.ID_WB = 6836384;
SteroidRisks.sPubDate = "1/17/2005 10:40:55 PM GMT";
SteroidRisks.navsectionID = "3088327"
SteroidRisks.appFmt = 2;
SteroidRisks.itemsPerPage = 1;
SteroidRisks.appWidth = 460;
SteroidRisks.appHeader = "Fact file|Steroid risks";
SteroidRisks.appFooter = "Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse";
SteroidRisks.appNavStyle = 3;
SteroidRisks.appLayout = 3;
SteroidRisks.copyHeight = 170;
SteroidRisks.copyWidth = 300;
SteroidRisks.copyMargin = 9;
SteroidRisks[i++] = new Array("","Introduction","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
SteroidRisks[i-1].body = "Many athletes use steroids to improve performance and increase muscle size. However, steroid abuse can lead to a variety of health problems, ranging from mild physical changes to life-threatening illnesses. Click on a category to the left to read about steroids&#146; effects on various parts of the body.<br>";

SteroidRisks[i++] = new Array("","Hormonal system","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
SteroidRisks[i-1].body = "Steroids directly interfere with the production and regulation of hormones. Changes that can occur as a result of steroid abuse include:<br><ul><li>Enlarged breasts in men<br><li>Reduced sperm production<br><li>Shrunken testicles<br><li>Acne and cysts<br><li>Oily hair and skin<br><li>Reduced breast size in women<br><li>Growth of body hair in women<br><li>Enlarged clitoris<br><li>Baldness in both men and women</ul>";

SteroidRisks[i++] = new Array("","Musculoskeletal system","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
SteroidRisks[i-1].body = "Use of steroids by children or teens can cause bones to stop growing prematurely. As a result, steroids can lead to shortened stature and failure to reach maximum height.";

SteroidRisks[i++] = new Array("","Cardiovascular system","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
SteroidRisks[i-1].body = "Steroids have been linked to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke, even among young users. The chemicals in steroids cause the body to process cholesterol differently, increasing the levels of &#147;bad&#148; cholesterol and reducing levels of &#147;good&#148; cholesterol. This situation can lead to atherosclerosis, a condition in which cholesterol builds up in the arteries and eventually blocks the flow of blood, leading to either a heart attack or stroke. Steroids can also cause a potentially dangerous enlargement of the heart.";

SteroidRisks[i++] = new Array("","Mental health","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
SteroidRisks[i-1].body = "Use of steroids can lead to irritability, extreme aggression or \"roid rage,\" delusions and mania.";

SteroidRisks[i++] = new Array("","Liver","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
SteroidRisks[i-1].body = "Abuse of steroids has been tied to severe liver problems, including tumors. Steroids are also linked to a rare condition known as peliosis hepatis, in which blood-filled cysts grow in the liver and can later rupture, causing internal bleeding.";

SteroidRisks[i++] = new Array("","Immune system","","","","", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "", "");
SteroidRisks[i-1].body = "Because steroid abusers often share contaminated needles to inject themselves, they are at a higher risk for HIV/AIDS, as well as hepatitis B and C. In addition, some steroids are manufactured under less-than-sterile conditions, which can lead to viral and bacterial contamination with the potential to cause life-threatening illnesses.";

	// END editorial data