Viagra is a blockbuster drug; it is currently the best-selling drug in the world, and it has been on the market for more than two decades. The drug is most commonly known for its ability to treat erectile disfunction, but it also has a number of other medically-useful qualities.
This article will discuss some of the more cutting-edge research regarding the medical uses and side effects of Viagra. The hope is that by familiarizing yourself with these research studies, you can better understand the drug and the kinds of patients that it might be most effective for.
Cognitive Function And Dementia
Recently, researchers have begun to examine the link between Viagra and cognitive function. In both animals and humans, there is evidence to suggest that the drug can improve memory and learning. For instance, animal studies have shown that Viagra can enhance the formation of new neurons in the hippocampus – the part of the brain responsible for learning and memory.
The results of these studies suggest that Viagra may be able to reduce the cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia.
Unfortunately, like many drugs, Viagra has some potentially dangerous side effects. Patients taking the drug have complained of headaches, fainting, and difficulty breathing. While these effects are relatively rare, they are potentially serious and should be taken seriously. Physicians should also monitor patients for hypertension and congestive heart failure.
Heart Health
In addition to its effects on the brain and erections, Viagra also has some beneficial effects on the heart. Specifically, studies have shown that the drug can dilate the blood vessels in patients with heart failure, increasing the amount of blood flow to the heart. This is particularly important for patients with heart failure because inadequate blood flow to the heart can lead to severe complications.
Because of these potentially life-saving effects, it is not at all surprising that physicians have recommended that heart disease patients take Viagra.
However, like most medications, Viagra has some serious side effects. The most common of these is headaches. Other side effects include hypertension, jaw pain, and diarrhea. Again, while these are relatively rare, they are potentially serious and should be treated accordingly. Finally, patients should be monitored for liver damage and interactions with other medications.
Erectile Dysfunction
Like many men, you might be surprised to learn that I have suffered from erectile dysfunction. What’s more, as a result of my ED, I have also experienced some troubling side effects. For instance, whenever I would eat spicy foods or alcoholic beverages, the pain in my genitals would shoot up by several notches. This is something that would frequently disturb my sleep as well. It would even wake me up in the middle of the night.
With the help of my urologist, Dr. Mohammad Mirmiranda, I was eventually able to find the root cause of my problem. After examining my medical history and performing a physical examination, he determined that the main culprit was a large stone in my bladder. This had been causing my ED for years. Once he was able to remove this stone, my erections returned almost immediately and my sleep problems were greatly reduced. (It’s also important to note here that I have a family history of kidney problems, so I was already somewhat predisposed to this issue.)
While my experience with ED and accompanying symptoms was frustrating, it was not altogether uncommon. According to a survey of men between the ages of 18 and 70, about 12% of respondents reported having ED. Further, 69% of those with ED said that the quality of their sex life had decreased. These are pretty huge numbers considering that only 3% of men in this age group said their sex life was ‘great.’
Nowadays, Viagra is most commonly prescribed to treat erectile dysfunction. However, the medical uses of the drug go beyond ED. In fact, it has been proven that Viagra can help men with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and heart disease. The drug has also been shown to dramatically improve the quality of life of men with prostate cancer and those who have undergone a heart transplant. Additionally, preliminary data suggest that it might even help men with erectile dysfunction who are taking opioid pain medications. (1) Finally, like many prescription medications, there have been cases of people dying while taking Viagra. However, these cases are extremely rare and the danger is more related to the side effects of the drug than any therapeutic benefit. (2)
So, while it is true that Viagra can be extremely helpful, it is still a medication that needs to be taken seriously, especially since it can have some rather serious side effects. It should be noted here that in many instances, the benefits of the drug far outweigh the risks. Therefore, in cases where the risks seem to be minimal, the benefits might justify the risk for some people. This is a key concept to remember whenever you are given a prescription medication.
Overall Assessment
Before we move on, it is important to put all of this in context and remember what this entire article is about. So far, we have discussed the potentially useful effects that Viagra can have on several different organs and bodily systems. Further, we have discussed some of the more serious side effects that the drug can have. Now, it is time to put all of this into perspective by discussing some general guidelines that apply to everyone, regardless of whether or not they have taken Viagra.
The first and most crucial guideline is to consult your physician before you begin taking any kind of medication, especially if you are taking any kind of prescription medication. As we discussed above, the risks of taking certain medications may outweigh the benefits for some people. This could potentially be a dangerous situation, especially if you are taking medications that you have not been prescribed or recommended to take. In these cases, you run the risk of suffering from drug interactions or unexpected side effects that could arise from the combination of these medications.
The second guideline is to take your time takig any kind of medication. Many people are under the misconception that once they start taking a medication, it will fix the problem immediately. In reality, this is rarely the case. It can take a while before you actually start to feel the effects of any medication, and for some medications, this can be weeks or even months.
This is important to keep in mind whenever you are trying to determine the cause of a certain problem or illness. Sometimes, there is no cure for something, but there are ways to manage or alleviate the symptoms. So, it is important that you take the time to get well again instead of just trying to ‘fix’ the problem immediately.
Further, it is imperative to follow the instructions that your physician gives you for taking your medication. It is easy for patients to miss a dose or take the drug in the wrong way, leading to potentially disastrous consequences. This is why it is always a good idea to follow the instructions carefully and ask questions if you are not sure about anything.
Additionally, it is critical to remember that the effects of a medication will only be as good as your own body’s ability to absorb them. It is also important to understand that the effects of a medication can vary from person to person. This is why it is always a good idea to consult with your physician before you begin taking any kind of medication.
Taking the time to educate yourself about the available medications and their side effects can be a difficult but worthwhile task. Additionally, it is important to remember that no matter what medications you try, there is always the possibility that they could fail or have untoward side effects. So, it is best to be aware of this fact from the start and continue to monitor your body’s responses closely while you are taking them.
As we discussed above, while many medications have been proven to be helpful for certain illnesses and medical conditions, this does not mean that they are totally safe for everyone. It is also important to understand that just because a medication has been proven to be safe and effective for human use does not mean that it is safe for animals or for other animals, such as livestock. This is why it is always a good idea to research any new medication that you are considering using, especially if you are planning on using it on an animal. Further, it is crucial to remember that too many medications can cause more harm than good. Too many medications can lead to drug interactions, which can cause even more problems than the original conditions that the medications were designed to treat. (3)
In closing, it is important to keep in mind that while many people are greatly benefited by medications, it does not mean that they are harmless. It is always a good idea to research any new medication that you are considering taking and to educate yourself about the possible risks associated with it. Lastly, it is important to consult with your physician before you begin taking any kind of medication, especially if you are taking any kind of prescription medication.