The little blue pill known as Viagra has been the solution to erectile dysfunction since its release in 1998, proving to be incredibly effective at curing this sexual problem. This small but powerful pill has saved many relationships and changed the lives of many men, both in their sexual behaviour as well as their general confidence. Considered a miracle treatment, Viagra has always been exclusively used to treat erectile dysfunction, but new studies suggest that it could be useful in treating other health problems as well, such as pulmonary hypertension. There have previously been concerns surrounding this treatment and cardiovascular disorders, but people with heart problems actually have minimal side effects.
The side effects generally consist of hypertension, headache and flushing. People who suffer with migraines usually have triggers, such as light or even chocolates. It’s been discovered, though, that Viagra can actually trigger migraines in people who are predisposed to the condition – the enzyme PDE5 which helps to prolong an erection can actually be found in the brain tissues. Viagra targets this to boost erectile issues, but in turn also affects the migraine symptoms. Researchers are still unclear how the treatment knows to only target certain areas of the body and not others – this is something which they are sill investigating.
There are also risks when Viagra is taken with nitrates, as organic nitrates are usually used to alleviate symptoms of chest pain, discomfort during stressful situations and angina pectoris. These are due to poor blood flow through the blood vessels in the heart, but the cardiovascular effects of Viagra can be dangerous to people who take nitrates, particularly in people who have congestive heart failure with low blood pressure. Your dietary intake of foods which are high in nitrates won’t affect your risk of this though, as these aren’t active in the blood circulatory system. Studies show that most people taking antibiotics, though, should be OK. Antibiotics are generally prescribed for the treatment of bacterial infections, and whilst most are fine to take with Viagra there are a couple to watch out for. Those used for upper respiratory infections and gastric infections should not be combined with Viagra, and people who use anti-hypertensive medications should also be cautious. If you’re taking any form of medication already, you should check with your GP that it’s safe for your to take Viagra as well, to ensure it won’t damage your health.
It is worth speaking to your GP beforehand if you’re unsure of the risks. Viagra has been publicized far and wide for the effect it has on the male sex organ, but this trend has also meant that it can be used increasingly in unprotected sex – this has increased the risk of STDs. Studies have shown that it is often used alongside cocaine or ecstasy as a recreational drug. The most worrying aspect of the study was that researchers found this recreational use of was common amongst people who were HIV positive as well as people who didn’t have HIV. Viagra has changed many people’s lives, and is one of the biggest breakthroughs in sexual health medicine in history. It should be used with caution though – it isn’t the miracle drug that many people claim that it is. It depends what it is being used for as to whether you get the results that you’re looking for. Without any doubt, though, you should consult your GP before you begin taking Viagra – while it may appear miniscule, it packs a punch and could be damaging to your health if not used correctly.
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