Viagra is a very popular drug. It has been on the market since 1998, and since then millions of men around the world have used it to treat erectile dysfunction. It has become a widely used reference in popular culture, and even if you have no experience with erectile dysfunction, you likely know what Viagra is. Although its main purpose is the treatment of erectile dysfunction, there are other uses. Most recently, it has been proposed as a treatment for Crohn's disease.
Viagra falls under the class of drugs known as PDE5 inhibitors. After taking Viagra, the muscles in the base of your penis relax, allowing for increased blood flow. There are many similar drugs out there, but Viagra has the widest reputation since it has been around the longest.
Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory disease that creates ulcers in your large and small intestines. It occurs when your immune system attacks your body tissues. It has recently been discovered that Viagra can help with this weak immune system response.
Recently, a new cause for the inflammation found in Crohn's disease has been discovered. Injecting Escherichia Coli under the skin tested the inflammatory response to bacteria. Local inflammatory and blood flow changes were measured, and it was found that Crohn's patients had a lower blood flow, which produced fewer quantities of neutrophils and inflammatory mediators. This issue of low blood flow can be treated with Sildenafil Citrate, the main ingredient in Viagra.
Viagra treats erectile dysfunction by increasing blood flow to the penis. It has also been used to treat heart conditions, such as an enlarged heart, using similar mechanisms. It was actually first used for this purpose, and was discovered as an erectile dysfunction treatment on accident. This increased blood flow can help your immune system by increasing its responsiveness. Viagra has also been looked at as a treatment for women with diabetes, and even increasing brain function. Viagra seems to be a very special drug, and it will be exciting to see what disorders it can help with in the future.
If you have any of the above conditions, ask your doctor about using Viagra as a treatment. If other medications don't fit with your lifestyle, this one might be a suitable treatment. As with any drug, Viagra has its risks and side effects. Therefore you should never use Viagra without a prescription and doctor's supervision. Some of the most common side effects include stuffy nose, memory problems, redness or warmth in your chest, neck, or face, headache, back pain, or upset stomach. More serious side effects include ringing in your ears, sudden vision or hearing loss, shortness of breath, erection lasting 4 or more hours, irregular heartbeat, feeling light-headed, fainting, chest pain, or swelling in your ankles, feet, or hands. Contact your doctor for any side effects, and seek emergency medical attention if you experience serious side effects. An erection lasting 4 or more hours can cause permanent damage so it is important to seek help.