Viagra is know for its positive effects against ED (erectile dysfunction). Now the drug is also being administered for pulmonary hypertension and has been identified to be therapeutically effective against several other conditions such as Mountain sickness, Raynaud’s phenomenon, heart disease, and more. Here is a report.
Harvard Men’s Health Watch has published a report in its August 2007 issue for the potential of Viagra in treating several other conditions other than erectile dysfunction, for which it basically is meant for.
Some of these side effects of Viagra or Sildenafil are really injurious to health, but some of them are helpful in treating some other chronic diseases. Researches are on to identify these positive effects that ED pills can bring about in treating non sexual problems too. Viagra, as it has been in the market for quite longer than any other combination, has been identified to be useful for treating pulmonary hypertension, Mountain Sickness, Raynaud’s phenomenon and heart disease.
Pulmonary hypertension: Sildenafil, the main ingredient in Viagra, is being marketed under a different name Revatio to cure the high pressure in blood vessels that take blood to lungs.
Mountain Sickness: Viagra has been identified to be helpful in reducing pulmonary artery pressure in low oxygen conditions or high altitude and increase the ability to exercise.
Raynaud’s Phenomenon: Viagra has been found helpful for patients suffering from cold trigered spasm in small arteries which take blood to the smaller parts of the body such as fingers, toes, etc.,which may become pale, or painful in the absence of sufficient blood supply. Levitra has also been found to create a similar positive effect.
Sildenafil (Viagra) has been found causing preferential pulmonary vasodilation in open-label trials and is seen as a potential drug to treat secondary pulmonary hypertension caused by pulmonary fibrosis. In a research, conducted by Hossein A. Ghofrani, MD at University Hospital in Giessen, Germany, it has been found that Viagra can make a promising medicine for treatment of secondary pulmonary hypertension in lung fibrosis.
Raed A. Dweik, from the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Ohio, found nitric oxide inhalation good in pulmonary hypertension but, because of the unresolved technical difficulties in delivery, its administration is restricted on patients.
The Sildenafil combination is being sold under different names such as Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis in the market and is meant to cure sexual deficiencies of men. All these three medicines may cause similar reactions and side effects such as nasal congestion, indigestion, back pain, etc. These side effects are temporary and mild though. These ED pills are feared for their ability to widen arteries and cause low blood pressure and are strictly prohibited for patients who have been taking nitrates.
