Drugs or No Drugs
A majority of professional athletes use performance enhancing drugs such as Creatine. These drugs or supplements are used to increase their power, stamina, and muscle mass. Although most leagues have banned the usage of these drugs they are continued to be abused. In order to be the best athlete you need to be the strongest, fastest, and continue this performance for a long period of time. These drugs can help you be that, but have serious side effects that can harm you. Creatine is a supplement that can enhance your performance, so it is commonly used by Professional athletes. This drug can produce more energy and produce less lactive acid which can avoid exercise fatigue. It was discovered in 1832 by a French scientist, but was not known to be use in America until the 1992 Summer Olympics. Creatine is found naturally in your muscles, heart, brain, liver, and kidney’s. Also, it is found in foods such as fish and meat. This supplement can be consumed in different ways such as being added to sports drinks, powders, gum, gels, and pills. When you use supplements you need to be aware of the side effects. Creatine can cause a water weight gain, increased muscle cramping, strains, nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, and dehydration. Also, doctors after doing research on this supplement say that you have an increased risk of renal stress and heat illness. Many professional athletes have reported kidney problems with the use of Creatine. A player for the Houston Astros, Derek Bell has had severe kidney pain due to the usage of Creatine. If you are planning on using a supplement visit your doctor to see if you qualify for it. Your doctor can determine if you can use this supplement will interfere with your other medications. Do not use this supplement if you are pregnant, because your baby is developing a body that already has Creatine, and an increased amount can be harmful to you and your child. If you begin to feel “different” stop using the supplement immediately and notify your doctor. Ephedrine is another drug that is commonly used by Professional athletes, as well as everyday people. Ephedrine is used for temporary relief of shortness of breath, chest tightness, and wheezing to bronchial asthma. Athletes such as basketball players, track runners, and baseball players use this drug to their advantage with their constant conditioning. This drug may cause headaches, nausea, loss of appetite, and restlessness. Also, it may cause blood sugar problems if you are diabetic. Chronium is a mineral that has been combined with Picolinate. This has been used to build muscle and decrease your fat, but has been reported to cause kidney failure. Many trainers of Professional athletes encourage the use of supplements, but doctors from Universities say otherwise. Doctors from Ohio University state athletes should focus on eating right and training instead of supplements. Also, doctors from the University of Memphis approve of people using Creatine at a low dosage for medical reasons, but say that professional athletes that abuse it will have a high risk of injury. Doctors have also said that short-term use of creatine will not strain kidneys, but consistently using it will. Although there have not been tests on children under the age of 18 for effects, they recommend that they eat healthy and exercise and will get the same results at a slow pace. Athletes feel pressured and forced to use these drugs. In order for them to be paid a large amount of money, they need to have the top performance. They think that their performance will increase by using these supplements, because they increase their muscle mass, power, and help them lose weight. These performance enhancing drugs make athletes think that it will “take them to the next level.” Professional athletes use performance enhancing drugs to help improve their skills. Creatine is a common substance that is used by these athletes. Although it is naturally produced in the body and can help with your performance