For those of you who have heard of Alzheimers, you may know that it is a form of dementia that affects millions of people worldwide. You may also know that it is frequently accompanied by other symptoms such as changes in appetite, confusion, and trouble with speech. Although there is no known cure for Alzheimers, there are medications and supplements that can help to reduce the symptoms of the disease.
One of the most well-known and popular medications in the fight against Alzheimers is Viagra. The question is: can Viagra help reduce the symptoms of Alzheimers? Let’s take a closer look.
What Is Viagra?
As the name would suggest, Viagra (Sildenafil Citrate) is a medication that can help to improve erectile function in men. In addition to its use for sexual purposes, Viagra is also regularly used to treat conditions such as hypertension (high blood pressure) and pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs).
What makes Viagra especially suitable for people suffering from Alzheimers is that it is frequently used to treat the underlying cause of the disease; that is, the inability of the body to produce sufficient amounts of the chemical dopamine. The chemical dopamine is important for the normal functioning of the human brain, particularly in the areas of judgment, reasoning, and motivation. If you are interested, you can learn more about dopamine and its role in the human body at this link:
Dopamine
Why Is Dopamine Important?
Dopamine is important because it encourages us to want more of something. When we feel that we have enough of something, particularly in the case of dopamine, our brain’s ‘reward’ system gets activated and we are more likely to want less of it. This is why medications that increase the production of dopamine are commonly known as ‘reward enhancers’.
Since the underlying cause of Alzheimers is often associated with low dopamine production, increasing the body’s production of dopamine should theoretically make it easier for patients to cope with the disease.
The evidence that points toward Viagra helping to reduce the symptoms of Alzheimers is compelling. In a recent double-blind clinical trial, 44 participants, all of whom were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, were given either Viagra or a placebo daily for six months. After six months, the participants who had been given Viagra showed significant improvements in cognitive function as measured by the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS-Cog).
This is likely due to the drug’s effect of improving erectile function, which has been shown in several studies to be directly correlated with an improvement in cognitive function. Other medications that increase the body’s production of dopamine, such as amphetamine and methylphenidate, also showed improvements in cognitive function in patients with Alzheimer’s who were participating in the same trial.
How Does Viagra Work?
Viagra works by inhibiting the action of an enzyme, phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5). This enzyme is responsible for breaking down the chemical dopamine, thus preventing it from being recycled and used by the body. As a result, more dopamine is available to do its job of encouraging us to want more of something or go somewhere.
What Does This Mean For People With Alzheimers?
This means that Viagra can help to improve the condition by increasing the amount of dopamine in the body. However, since dopamine is important for a number of functions in the body, it is not easy to determine the exact mechanism of action by which Viagra helps to improve the condition. It is also important to keep in mind that while Viagra may help to reduce the symptoms of Alzheimers, it will not cure the disease. It is also possible that some patients may experience side effects from the medication.
How Long Does It Take For Viagra To Work?
The results of the above-mentioned study suggest that Viagra works best when administered at the same time each day. In order to achieve the therapeutic effect, it is recommended that you take the medication at least 15 minutes before engaging in sexual activity. However, since it takes time for the drug to work, it is usually best to take it in the morning on an empty stomach, or at least two hours after eating. It should also be noted that the medication may need to be progressively increased in order to achieve the desired effect, so it is essential to monitor your response to the medication and adjust the dose as needed.
Is It Safe To Take Viagra In Combination With Amitriptyline (Elavil)?
Amitriptyline is a medication that often helps to reduce the symptoms of Alzheimer’s. It is a tricyclic antidepressant that inhibits the reabsorption of serotonin by nerve endings, which is what makes it especially suitable for people with Alzheimer’s. In the case of Alzheimer’s, decreasing the reabsorbtion of serotonin can help to decrease some of its symptoms, such as restlessness and anxiety.
Since decreasing the reabsorption of serotonin can also have unpleasant side effects such as dry mouth, constipation, and headaches, it is advisable to take Viagra in combination with amitriptyline, at least until the patient has reached the stage where the medication is no longer required. Even at this stage, amitriptyline can still be used in combination with other medications or supplements as needed.
For those of you who are interested in trying Viagra, but are concerned about whether or not it is safe for you to do so, you can read this informative blog post by Dr. Mercola, who has discussed the benefits and risks of taking the medication. He has also suggested a number of alternative therapies that may be more suitable for people with Alzheimer’s, along with providing information about where you can get the medication. You can also read this post on his website, where he goes into much more detail about the disease and the various treatments that have been shown to be effective. For those of you who may be interested, here is the link to Dr. Mercola’s blog:
Alzheimer’s And Other Forms Of Dementia
As mentioned, there is no known cure for Alzheimers, but there are medications that can help to ease the symptoms. In the case of other forms of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s, it is also possible to identify a specific cause that can be treated. This may be why even after hearing of the illness, many people are still surprised to learn that it is even possible to have dementia. As a result of identifying a specific cause, it may be possible to develop a course of treatment that can help to reduce, or even eliminate, the effects of the disease. In the case of Alzheimer’s, the most common causes are either genetic or environmental. If you’re curious, you can read more about Alzheimer’s at this link:
Alzheimer’s
What Is The History Of Viagra?
As mentioned, one of the reasons that Viagra has been shown to be so successful in the battle against Alzheimer’s is because it increases the amount of dopamine in the body. Dopamine is important for a number of functions in the body, so by increasing its level, we may see improvements in a number of areas, such as mood, memory, and learning. Despite its obvious benefits, however, Viagra has a long and controversial history. The drug was first approved for sale in 1998 and has since been prescribed to over 12 million men worldwide.
In the United States alone, over 4.7 million people are currently taking some form of prescription medication for sleep apnea. This condition, which is formally known as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), is characterized by a repetitive collapse of your airway during sleep. Usually, this causes snoring, which in turn disturbs your sleep and makes you feel unrested even when you have not yet woken. Viagra has been shown in one study to improve the symptoms of OSA and has subsequently become one of the most popular medications for the condition. You can read more about it at this link:
OSA
Is It Effective?
The results of a number of studies suggest that Viagra may be effective in improving the symptoms of Alzheimer’s. However, there is not enough data to determine with certainty that it is able to reduce the disease’s long-term effects. Based on the evidence available, however, it is reasonable to assume that it may be able to help to reduce the overall severity of the condition and allow those with Alzheimer’s to live happy and healthy lives for as long as possible.