Viagra is also a brand name; generically, it is Sildenafil. It is a commonly prescribed medication for erectile dysfunction in men. It makes a man get an erection due to its action on the blood supply to the male organ. Since its introduction in 1998, Viagra is one of the most used and most common medications against erectile dysfunction among men. Like any drug, however, Viagra can carry some possible adverse reactions that you should be mindful of.
The most common Viagra side effects include headaches, flushing of the face, stomachaches, and nasal congestion.
Headaches
Headaches are one of the most common side effects of Viagra and it affects up to a quarter of patients. We don’t know what caused these headaches, but it’s believed to have something to do with the way Viagra alters blood flow. In particular, Viagra relaxes the smooth muscle in the blood vessels, opening them up and facilitating more circulation. The effect can also expand the brain’s blood vessels, giving rise to headaches.
Patients taking Viagra who experience headaches are advised not to drink alcohol as it exacerbates headaches. A common remedy for headaches are over-the-counter pain medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. But you should always see a physician before using any Viagra-related medication for the purpose of treating your Viagra-related headaches.
Facial Flushing
Another common side effect of Viagra is a flush on your face, also known as a hot flush. As many as 25% of Viagra users experience flushing. The condition is characterised by a sudden, sharp, unpleasant heat to the face, neck and chest followed by redness or flushing of the skin.
Facial flushing is triggered by the swelling of the skin’s blood vessels. Viagra causes the smooth muscle in the blood vessels to relax and expand. This effect is helpful for ED since it pushes blood toward the penis, but also tends to make blood vessels in other parts of the body, including the face, expand. Face flushing may be uncomfortable, but it is not dangerous and usually goes away on its own within a few hours.
Indigestion
Indigestion or dyspepsia is a fairly common side effect of Viagra, occurring in up to one-fifth of the population. Indigestion: Indigestion causes pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen, bloating, gas, and a sense of being overfull after eating or digesting food.
Viagra is believed to induce indigestion by numbing the smooth muscle in the GI tract and reducing mobility and slowing down the movement of food through the gut. This action can lead to the feelings of bloating and abdominal discomfort.
In order to help mitigate the indigestion that Viagra causes, patients should eat smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day and refrain from having large, substantial meals just before taking the drug. Antacids that are sold over the counter can be used to alleviate indigestion, but you must check with your physician before using any medication to manage Viagra-induced symptoms.
Nasal Congestion
Nasal congestion, or stuffy nose, is one of the Viagra side-effects that affects up to 15% of the population. No one really knows the reason behind Viagra’s nasal congested, but we suspect that it’s attributed to the drug’s influence on blood flow in the body.
Viagra makes the blood vessels open, allowing the smooth muscle to relax. This can cause increased blood flow in the nose, which can exacerbate irritation and congestion. Congestion in the nose can be a nuisance, but it is rarely harmful and usually passes within a few hours.
These side effects are often mild and transient in nature, lasting no more than a few hours. But in some instances, they might last longer or escalate. The extent of these side effects varies widely from person to individual, with some even experiencing none at all.
But perhaps the biggest concern about Viagra is its impact on cardiovascular health. Because Viagra increases the flow of blood, it also lowers blood pressure. This is why it’s not safe for anyone who has any type of heart disease because it can lead to a fatal drop in blood pressure. It is not even allowed in patients taking nitrates for chest pain because the two combined cause a death-threatening decrease in blood pressure.
Another potential side-effect of Viagra is a loss of vision. Other users have also reported experiencing a blue light in their eyes upon administration of the drug. Although this effect is rarely long-lasting, it can be distressing for those who feel it. In rare instances, Viagra may cause serious eye issues, including a loss of vision or vision loss. If this happens, users should seek medical attention immediately.
Occasionally, Viagra can also have more serious side effects, including priapism – an unpleasant and uncomfortable erection lasting over four hours. The disease needs to be taken seriously immediately as it causes permanent injury to the penis.
Some users also experienced the hearing loss associated with Viagra. Though we don’t yet know if Viagra causes hearing loss, people with prior hearing problems should be especially cautious when taking Viagra.
It’s important to understand that some of these side effects are more prevalent among older men who might have medical conditions that may be at greater risk. This makes it important for people to make sure that they speak to their doctor before taking Viagra to be sure that it is safe for them.
Additionally, Viagra can interfere with other medications, including those for heart diseases, hypertension, and antibiotics. Before taking Viagra, you must tell your physician of all your medications you’re taking to help keep them from reacting.
The Viagra side effects can be problematic, but you have to keep in mind that they are relatively minor. The vast majority of men who take Viagra experience no serious side effects, and it improves their sexual functioning and lives.
Conclusion:
Overall, Viagra is one of the most effective men’s erectile dysfunction medications, but has certain side effects which must be taken by its user. Always check with your doctor before taking Viagra and let them know if there are any side effects that are troubling them. If used properly and monitored, Viagra would be a safe and potent treatment for erectile dysfunction.
