Many men experience unpleasant side effects from Viagra. This includes one or more of the following symptoms: nasal congestion, runny nose, headache, and/or stuffiness. Fortunately, these effects are usually mild and transient. In some cases, they can be serious and even life-threatening. In this article, we will discuss the possible causes for this phenomenon and what you can do about it. We will cover each type of Viagra separately.
Viagra For Women
While Viagra is often advertised as a remedy for erectile dysfunction, women have actually found it to be quite useful for other reasons. One of the most common uses is for nasal congestion caused by allergies or chronic illness. Another is for premenstrual symptoms like swollen breasts and a craving for sweets. In rare cases, it has even been shown to improve asthma symptoms.
Anecdotally, many men report that Viagra makes their nose runny and stuffy. This happens as a side effect of the medication or, in some cases, because of an allergic reaction. In either case, it’s important to see a doctor if your symptoms are persistent. Otherwise, you might try self-diagnosing with a steam inhale or nasal spray. This might help clear your nasal passages and reduce some of the above-mentioned side effects. In the meantime, it’s generally best to avoid exposure to any allergens or irritants. This might require you to temporarily refrain from consuming certain foods or using certain products.
Sildenafil (generic Viagra)
Sildenafil is the active ingredient in Viagra. This ingredient works by increasing blood flow to the penis, which in turn, results in an erection. However, blood flow to the nose is also increased, which can cause some of the above-mentioned side effects. In fact, many men experience these effects when using Sildenafil. These effects are usually mild and transient, but in some cases, they can be quite serious. The most common symptom is a stuffy or runny nose. Additionally, some men experience headache, dizziness, and tingling in the extremities. If you experience any of these effects, the best thing to do is stop using the medication and see your doctor.
Doses Equal To Or Exceeding Viagra
Some men have noticed that taking extra doses of Viagra results in less side effects. If this sounds like you, it might be a good idea to try increasing your dose. In some cases, it is possible that the extra dose completely eradicates the side effects. However, in other cases, it simply results in a reduced severity. In any case, it’s always best to consult your doctor before increasing your dose or trying any other method to avoid or reduce the side effects of Viagra.
Side Effects Occur Even With A Regular Dose
Even with a regular dose of Viagra, you might experience side effects. These effects are usually mild and transient, but in some cases, they can be quite serious. Some of the more common side effects include headache, flushing, and diarrhea. In some rare cases, Viagra has been known to cause liver damage. Although this is quite rare, it’s always best to consult your doctor before taking or increasing your dose of this medication.
Tranquilizer Or Pain Reliever
Some men have noticed that the combination of Viagra and an over-the-counter (OTC) decongestant helps reduce their nasal symptoms. In fact, in some cases, it’s possible that the two drugs interact in such a way as to result in fewer side effects. Additionally, many doctors agree that combining a narcotic and an antidepressant can be quite effective in combating depression. So, in some cases, it’s possible that Viagra acts as a tranquilizer, which in turn reduces the severity of the depression.
So, in some instances, it might be helpful to combine a narcotic and an antidepressant, or alternatively, take one of the available OTC decongestants with your medication. In either case, it’s always best to consult your doctor before taking or increasing your dose of any medications.
Alcohol And Other Drugs
Some men have noticed that drinking alcohol reduces the side effects of Viagra. Additionally, many men have found that using certain recreational drugs reduced the side effects of medication. These drugs include LSD, ecstasy, and marijuana. While the mechanisms are unknown, it’s possible that the substances in these drugs alter the way your body processes medication, thus reducing the side effects in certain individuals.
So, in some cases, it might be helpful to try reducing your alcohol intake or using these recreational drugs. However, in other cases, it might be best to consult your doctor before altering your medication protocol.
Anxiety And Other Psychiatric Disorders
Men with anxiety tend to notice that taking Viagra reduces their anxiety. In fact, in some cases, the two drugs can interact in such a way as to result in fewer side effects. Additionally, in some cases, it might be helpful to try reducing the dose of your anxiety medication and see if that reduces the side effects of Viagra. Alternatively, it’s possible that the adverse reactions are a result of your anxiety and that reducing it will help reduce the side effects of medication.
Postural Hyposphyxia
Postural hyposphyxia is a condition in which you have low oxygen levels in your blood due to excessive lying down. It’s usually caused by sleeping on your back, which is when your nose is naturally closed. This causes your blood to pool in your head, thus reducing oxygen levels. In general, this results in irritability, drowsiness, and an inability to focus. Some men might also experience dizziness or fainting spells. In some cases, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can be the underlying cause of this condition. In this case, sleeping on your back might aggravate the apnea, leading to sudden death due to a lack of oxygen. Additionally, in cases of OSA, sleeping on your back might cause the collapse of the upper airway, leading to a lack of oxygen even during waking hours.
Reduced Allergic Reaction
It is well known that allergies affect roughly 11% of the American population. In cases where your allergy symptoms are coupled with nasal congestion, it might be helpful to try reducing the dose of your allergy medication. Alternatively, you might want to consider using an antihistamine. Many men have noticed that taking either one of these medications reduces the nasal congestion associated with allergies. Additionally, in some cases, it might be helpful to try altering the form of your allergy medication. For instance, if you are allergic to ragweed, taking the oral or aqueous form might reduce the effects of your allergy. Otherwise, it’s always best to consult your doctor before taking any type of medication for allergies.
So, in some instances, it might be helpful to decrease your exposure to allergens or irritants by avoiding certain foods or places or getting vaccinated against common allergens. In other cases, it might be best to consult your doctor before altering your medication protocol. Additionally, if you experience these side effects, it might be a good idea to try decreasing your dose or using an alternative method to relieve your symptoms.
Other Factors
There are other factors that might cause your nasal congestion or stuffiness. For example, it’s been known to occur in people with sinusitis or those who use some types of nasal spray frequently. Additionally, if you grow or burn your own tobacco, you might experience nasal congestion or irritation. In either case, if you experience persistent symptoms, it might be a good idea to consult your doctor.
So, in some instances, it might be helpful to try decreasing your exposure to allergens or irritants by avoiding certain foods or places or getting vaccinated against common allergens. In other cases, it might be best to consult your doctor before altering your medication protocol. Additionally, if you experience these side effects, it might be a good idea to try decreasing your dose or using an alternative method to relieve your symptoms.
Less Serious But Still Common Side Effects
While the above-mentioned side effects are quite common, they are still quite mild. The two drugs are usually well-tolerated, but in some cases, they can cause quite serious reactions in sensitive individuals. The following are some of the more common and still quite mild side effects of Viagra: