More than just a cure for erectile dysfunction..
Amazing health benefits of Viagra
Viagra tablets improve the lives of millions of men by not only treating erectile
dysfunction, but their benefits extend to multiple health fields
which may change the concept of their use beyond their traditional role.
Sildenafil
the main ingredient in Viagra
began being used in the 1980s as a treatment for heart disease, before it
was discovered effective in treating erectile dysfunction. Over time
multiple researches have reveale
its beneficial effects in treating lung and heart diseases, promoting recovery
from jet lag, and reducing the symptoms of altitude sickness.
Reducing the risk of Alzheimer's disease
Researchers at University College London found that men who use medications
that stimulate erections, such as Viagra and Cialis, are 18% less likely to develop
erosive brain disease, including Alzheimer's
compared to men who do not take these medications.
These medications expand blood vessels :
which improves blood flow not only to the penis, but also to the brain.
Although the study
published in the journal Neurology
- was observational and did not prove a direct causal relationship
- researcher Dr.Ruth Brower confirmed that the results provide
- an important basis for conducting future clinical trials to
study the effect of
these drugs on Alzheimer's disease in both men and women.
Making urination easier
In addition
- to supporting erectile function, Viagra helps relieve urination
- problems that some men over the age of 50 experience
- especially due to an enlarged prostate.
The drug increases blood flow to the penis, temporarily relaxing its muscles
and reducing pressure on the urethra, which facilitates
the urination process and improves quality of life.
Treating pulmonary hypertension
Viagra is actually used to treat pulmonary hypertension, a rare disease that
causes enlarged pulmonary arteries and difficulty pumping blood
causing high pressure on the right side of the heart.
Sildenafil helps relax the blood vessels in the lungs and reduces pressure in them
which facilitates the work of the heart and improves the condition of patients
according to the British National Health Service.
Improving recovery from stroke
An American study
published in the journal Stroke, indicates that Viagra may speed up recovery
after a stroke
by stimulating the growth of new cells and blood vessels in the brain.
The study
conducted on mice showed an improvement in movement
and memory which opens horizons for using the drug in treating stroke survivors.
Alleviating altitude sickness
In an experiment conducted in Germany, Viagra helped mountaineers better adapt
to lack of oxygen at high altitudes, by lowering blood pressure in the pulmonary
vessels
which reduced the symptoms of altitude sickness
and allowed them to perform better while climbing.
Shrinking cancerous tumors
Recent research from the University of Southampton has shown that
Viagra enhances the effectiveness of chemotherapy in shrinking
esophageal cancer tumors, by inhibiting enzymes that protect cancer cells
allowing chemotherapy to attack them more effectively. According to
the study published in Cell Reports Medicine, the success rate of
chemotherapy rose to 75% compared to only 20% in normal cases.
Easing jet lag
Researchers in Argentina found that sildenafil helps speed up adaptation to
changing time zones, which may relieve symptoms of jet lag.
The study
published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, showed that
animals that took the drug adapted up to 50% faster, opening the door to
the use of low doses of Viagra in this area.
In what cases is taking Viagra really unsafe?!
Research on the small blue tablet (Viagra)
reveals uses far beyond its known function.
- Back when the drug was first developed, sildenafil
- (now known by the brand name "Viagra")
- was originally designed to treat cardiovascular problems.
But instead of expanding the blood vessels in the heart, its effect appeared in
another area of the body in men, which contributed to enhancing erection.
This led to :
the expansion of Viagra production
doubling profits to more than one billion dollars annually.
In 2005 :
sildenafil was approved as Revatio for the treatment of pulmonary arterial
hypertension, a condition that causes high blood pressure in the lungs.
But one study, conducted in 2013, investigated the potential of
sildenafil in a medical field that is often "overlooked.".
Viagra and menstrual pain
Menstrual pain, or dysmenorrhea, can be very painful and debilitating
leaving the patient unable to carry out her usual activities.
There is no real cure for this problem with women relying on
over-the-counter painkillers and hot water bottles every month.
Howeve
researchers from Croatia and the United States revealed that sildenafil
can help relieve dysmenorrhea for hours.
In a study
published in Human Reproduction, researchers examined the effects of
sildenafil on 25 women with moderate to severe menstrual pain.
They found that sildenafil relieved pain better than placebo
and "significantly" lowered the participants' uterine artery pulse index
one indicator of menstrual pain - after two hours.
Is it safe to
take Viagra to treat menstrual pain?
While this study suggests that it may be safe to use Viagra tablets to relieve
menstrual pain, more research is needed on this topic.
In this regard
- Dr.Susanna Unsworth
- a gynaecologist and women's
- health expert at INTIMINA
said:
"Theoretically, the mechanism of action of sildenafil could certainly provide
a way to relieve pain symptoms by improving blood flow, along with increasing
relaxation in the muscular wall of the uterus. However, based on this study alone
I do not currently consider it an option for women with menstrual pain because
there is not enough evidence to show benefit, and there has been no discussion
about any associated side effects. The treatment is not currently licensed
for use in this way
and testing on a larger scale is certainly required before it
can be recommended for use," he said.
The following
are the cases in which taking Viagra is unsafe:
• Cases of allergic reaction to "sildenafil" or any other drug.
• Taking medicines called nitrates to treat chest pain (angina).
• Serious heart or liver problem.
• Recent experience of a stroke, heart attack, or heart problem.
• Hypotension.
• A rare inherited eye disease, such as retinitis pigmentosa.
• Infection with sickle cell anaemia (an abnormality of red blood cells), leukaemia or multiple myeloma.
• Malformation of the penis.
• Stomach ulcer infection.
• Bleeding problem such as haemophilia.