Viagra is a very popular drug among men who want to enhance their sexual performance. It is a reliable option for them to try as it has been clinically shown to work in over 80% of the men who take it. The most frequent adverse reaction to the drug is headache which occurs in about 7% of the users. Other less common side effects include depression, anxiety, vertigo, diarrhea, and abnormal vision. If you experience any of these side effects while taking Viagra, you should consult your doctor right away as these could be signs of a serious health condition that needs to be treated appropriately. In this article, we will discuss some of the more frequent adverse reactions that are associated with the use of Viagra.
Headache
Headache is one of the more common side effects that men experience after taking Viagra. In fact, about 7% of the users experience this adverse reaction to the drug. When this happens, the patient should seek medical attention as it could be a sign of a serious condition. Different theories about the cause of this type of side effect have been proposed including:
- Too low of a dose
- Preexisting medical condition
- Stress or anxiety
- Heart condition
- Hyperthyroidism (excessive thyroid activity)
- Migraines
- Drug interactions
However, the most accepted theory is that it is caused by a chemical imbalance in the patient’s brain. When this happens, it indicates that the patient is not properly metabolizing the serotonin in his/her brain which is the neurotransmitter that gives the brain’s pain fibers their sensitivity. This could lead to over-excitement of the pain receptors resulting in headache. In this case, the patient needs to be monitored by a neurologist to make sure this does not happen again. In some instances, the headache can be severe enough to be debilitating. In these cases, the patient should seek medical attention right away as it could be a sign of a serious condition. If you experience headache after taking Viagra, it is advisable to consult your doctor so that he can determine the root cause of this issue. This will help you to prevent it from happening again.
Dizziness
Another side effect that men experience after taking Viagra is dizziness. It is a very common side effect that occurs in about 3% of the users. When this happens, the patient should seek medical attention so that an assessment can be made to see if this is a reparable issue. There are several possible causes for this side effect including:
- Low blood pressure
- Alcohol intake
- Anxiety
- Medication side effects
- Tiredness
- Excessive caffeine intake
- Dehydration
- Pregnancy
- Depression
- Overweight
- Lack of sleep
- Heart disease
However, the most common cause of dizziness is dehydration. When the body is dehydrated, it results in the brain having less blood to feed the nerve endings that control vision and balance. This can cause the patient to feel lightheaded and dizzy. In these cases, the patient should hydrate by drinking plenty of water to maintain proper blood pressure in his/her brain. In some instances, the dizziness can be severe enough to be debilitating. If you experience this side effect while taking Viagra, it is advisable to consult your doctor so that he can assess the severity of this issue and give you individualized treatment instructions. It is also important to note that if this side effect is getting in the way of your day-to-day activities, then it could be a sign of a more serious medical condition and you should seek medical attention so that proper diagnosis and treatment can be made.
Depression
Another side effect that occurs in about 3% of the users of Viagra is depression. When this happens, the patient should seek medical attention so that an assessment can be made as to whether this is a reparable issue. The most common cause of this side effect is excessive consumption of alcohol which can cause the patient to become overly anxious and depressed. Other possible causes include:
- Anxiety
- Medication side effects
- Pregnancy
- Heart disease
- Lack of sleep
However, the most common cause of this type of side effect is anxiety. In these cases, the patient should seek medical attention so that he can be diagnosed and treated for his anxiety. If you experience depression while taking Viagra, it is advisable to consult your doctor so that he can assess the severity of this issue and give you individualized treatment instructions. It is also important to note that if this side effect is getting in the way of your day-to-day activities, then it could be a sign of a more serious medical condition and you should seek medical attention so that proper diagnosis and treatment can be made.
Anxiety
Anxiety is another side effect that occurs in about 2% of the users of Viagra. When this happens, the patient should seek medical attention so that an assessment can be made as to whether this is a reparable issue. The most likely cause of this side effect is excessive alcohol consumption which can result in the patient becoming anxious and depressed. However, this can also occur in patients who are prescribed other types of medication or have a history of anxiety or depression. In most cases, the anxiety becomes more severe if it is associated with depression. In these cases, the patient should seek medical attention so that he can be assessed and treated for both his anxiety and depression.
It is important to note that many of the side effects associated with Viagra can be avoided by taking the drug at the right dose and for the right length of time. This is important because if the patient is not taking the drug as directed, he/she could be putting his/her health in serious jeopardy. Men who take Viagra should always consult their doctor so that he can adjust their dosage and help them avoid adverse side effects. In addition, individuals who have a history of heart disease, depression, anxiety, or alcoholism should not take this drug as it can cause these issues to become more severe. It is also important to note that elderly men should not use Viagra as it can cause decreased blood flow to the penis which makes sexual intercourse more difficult. In these cases, the patient should consult a physician so that an assessment can be made as to whether or not this is an appropriate drug for him/her to be taking.