Ephedrine Abuse

Paper Summary:

The paper examines the dangers of ephedrine usage and reveals statistics that show how, over the last decade, ephedrine usage has been on the rise among young athletes in the form of supplements. The paper discusses the inherent risks associated with the use of ephedrine and maintains that it is the responsibility of sports physicians and the athletic fraternity to protect young athletes from becoming unsuspecting victims to this silent killer.

Outline:
Introduction
Ephedrine (Usage and Adverse Effects)
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"The use of nutritional and dietary supplements continues to be on the rise among the youths of the nation. Herbal dietary supplements such as ephedrine, ginseng, etc, are particularly common among athletes and college students. As these products are classified as legal food products under the DSHEA act of 1994, they are easy to access and consequently the possibility of addiction is very high resulting in severe and sometimes fatal consequences. [Daniel Ari Kapner] Ephedrine, a crystalline alkaloid derived from the herb ephedra sinica (and other species of the ephedra genus) is widely promoted to college athletes as an enhancer of 'strength, dynamic power, energy...endurance levels...alertness and perception'. Besides this, the high metabolic rate induced by ephedrine and the consequent weight loss motivates many young people to try this herbal product as an effective dietary supplement to manage their weight. As per a year 2000 survey, a staggering 3 billion doses of ephedrine have been sold over the counter for weight management treatments. [Robert A] However, lurking beneath these positive propaganda of the efficacy of ephedra is the dangerous and sometimes deadly side effects of the drug."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Daniel Ari Kapner, 'Infofacts Resources: Ephedra and Energy Drinks on College Campuses", Accessed 26th April 2008, Available at, http://www.higheredcenter.org/pubs/factsheets/energy-drinks.html
• Michael P. Schaefer, Jay Smith, Diane L. Dahm and Matthew C. Sorenson, 'Ephedra Use in a Select group of Adolescent Athletes'. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine (2006) 5, 407-414, Available at, http://www.jssm.org/vol5/n3/6/v5n3-6pdf.pdf
• Robert A. Robergs1, Tommy Boone2, Donna Lockner3, "Exercise Physiologists Should not Recommend The Use Of Ephedrine And Related Compounds As Ergogenic Aids Or Stimulants For Increased Weight Loss" , Journal of Exercise Physiology Online , Volume 6 Number 4 November 2003, Available at, http://faculty.css.edu/tboone2/asep/RobergsV2.doc
• Charles N Krome, 'Cardiac Arrhythmia in a Professional Football Player. Was Ephedrine to Blame?' The physician and Sportsmedicine Vol31, No 12, Dec 2003.

More papers on Ephedrine Abuse:

• Argumentative Essay # 53676 : "Ephedrine, Factor in Life or Death?"
• Research Paper # 120411 : "Child Sexual Abuse: A Growing Global Problem"
• Term Paper # 118715 : "Child Sexual Abuse"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: