The benzodiazapine drug known as alprazolam is commonly sold under the trade name of Xanax, and it is often prescribed for anxiety, depression and sleep disorders. In addition to stress-reducing effects, Xanax also has sedative, hypnotic, anticonvulsant and muscle relaxant effects.
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According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, professional and recreational athletes illegally use performance-enhancing drugs to enhance their abilities and improve their physique. These substances, called anabolic androgenic steroids, alter the body's testosterone system.
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The pituitary gland plays an important role in regulating your sexuality and fertility. It synthesizes and releases a broad range of hormones that communicate signals from your brain to your body. Disease and time can break down this communication, according to a July 2008 review in "Aging Research Review."
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Dehydroepiandrosterone, DHEA, is the most prevalent steroid in the body. It plays an important role in immunity, healing and growth. As a prohormone, DHEA increases more basic hormones such as testosterone, progesterone and estrogen. Pathology and age can reduce circulating levels of DHEA.
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Pregabalin is an anticonvulsant drug manufactured by Pfizer and sold under the trade name Lyrica. According to a 2007 review in the periodical "Clinical Therapeutics," this drug successfully treats neuropathic pain, partial epilepsy and anxiety disorders.
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Anxiety disorders affect about 20 percent of the adult population. These disorders have an adverse effect on daytime performance and nighttime sleep. They also put people at risk for substance abuse.
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Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. Athletes take these substances to gain strength and size, according to an October 2009 review in "Critical Care Medicine." Some amino acids increase the production of testosterone.
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A 2007 survey presented in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that 52 percent of people take a dietary supplement at least once a month. Studies testing animals and humans suggest that herbal supplements can play a positive role in maintaining health and treating disease.
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Duloxetine is a drug made by the Eli Lily company. It is sold under the trade name of Cymbalta. According to a summary published in the journal "Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics," duloxetine may be useful in several medical conditions. These disorders include depression, anxiety and pain.
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A panic attack is the sudden onset of great fear that produces a bodily response. Common panic responses include sweating, shaking and choking. Panic attacks may be caused by psychological distress or medicinal drugs. When these episodes occur during sleep, they are called nocturnal panic attacks.
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Sleep disorders cover a broad spectrum of symptoms from sleeping poorly to sleeping excessively. The latter condition is called hypersomnia or heavy sleep. A 2010 review published in the "Journal of Sleep Research" describes some symptoms for this disorder.
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Human growth hormone, HGH, affects development and healing. Younger children with low growth hormone levels typically fail to reach normal height and weight. Older adults with HGH deficiency often have difficulty maintaining body weight and bone density.
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Progesterone plays an important role in the health of women. This hormone regulates menstruation, supports pregnancy and alters fertility. Progesterone also affects men. It changes testosterone level and impacts sperm count.
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Estrogen and progesterone play a critical role in the health of women. Levels of these sex steroids must remain in perfect balance to ensure reproductive fertility. The two hormones also affect bone health, cancer risk and emotional stability.
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Dehydroepiandrosterone, DHEA, plays an important role in the health of women. As the most prevalent steroid, DHEA affects a broad range of physiological and behavioral processes. Scientists consider DHEA a prohormone, a trigger for the production of fundamental substances like testosterone, progesterone and estrogen.
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Arginine affects many different physiological processes. Taking arginine supplements improves your health, according to an March 2010 report in the "Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Therapeutics." Arginine-induced increases in human growth hormone, HGH, may mediate these effects.
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Scandals involving steroid use by sports figures are frequent--athletes appear willing to risk their health, employment, and freedom to gain an “edge” on the competition. Such risk is not surprising given the large financial rewards often involved.
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The pituitary gland releases human growth hormone, HGH, into the bloodstream. This release occurs in brief pulses during the daytime hours. Growth hormone also responds to changes in sleep-wake cycle, exercise and diet.
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Bioidentical hormone therapy offers a different approach for patients seeking natural treatments. These drugs, similar to the body's natural substances, can play a positive role in human health. Bioidentical progesterone, for example, helps older women manage symptoms of menopause.
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Having high cholesterol places people at risk for cardiovascular and neurological disease. Given these dangers, scientists have placed emphasis on discovering cholesterol-lowering agents. The chemical octacosanol, found in wheat germ oil, may provide an alternative option to prescription cholesterol medications.
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