Men who suffer from erectile dysfunction often turn to Viagra to solve their problem. While it has been known for years that some men taking this impotence drug will experience short-term blue/green color blindness, headaches and flushing, a much more serious side effect has been revealed: A team of ophthalmologists has identified a condition that caused permanent blindness in a group of males who had taken Viagra.
The condition? Nonarteritic ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION). It is depicted as "stroke of the eye" and takes place when the blood flow is cut off to the optic nerve, injuring the nerve and causing permanent vision loss.
Proof Viagra Causes NAION
Ophthalmologists identified seven patients (ages 50-69) who had distinctive NAION features within 36 hours of taking Viagra; six patients had vision loss within a mere 24 hours after use of the drug. Moreover, all of the patients had at least one of the following arteriosclerotic risk factors:
... as well as a low cup to disk ratio--a way doctors measure the small circular indentation where the optic nerve binds to the eyeball--meaning the blood vessels and nerves are tightly bundled together in the small space behind the eye. And due to the fact that Viagra regulates a chemical to constrict the body's arteries, this could cut off blood flow to the optic nerve, particularly in those who suffer from low cup to disk ratio, where blood vessels and nerves are already tightly packed, and cause vision loss.
Journal of Neuro-Ophthalmology March 2005, Vol. 25, Issue 1: 9-13
PharmaLive.com March 31, 2005
Over the past year, the market for Viagra, along with the other leading sexual dysfunction drugs, Cialis and Levitra, may have finally peaked. Although 2004 numbers flattened for that trio to a mere $1.2 billion, I suspect 2005 sales may take another dive, based on these recent findings.
And in addition to causing blue/green color blindness, headaches, flushing and increasing the risk of permanent blindness; Viagra has also been identified as a potential risk factor for heart disease, stroke and infertility. Guys, clearly Viagra does not treat the underlying problem, and as you can see, ingesting it is accompanied with a dangerous slew of side effects. So, rather than popping a pill that will cost you around $10 each, why not save yourself that expense and avoid serious potential health repercussions by seeking safer options?
Four Healthy Alternatives For Treating Sexual Dysfunction
One: Sexual arousal occurs not just in the genitals, but also in the whole body, especially the brain. For men, it actually begins when the brain sends impulses down the spinal cord and out to the nerves that serve the penis. These impulses trigger the production of nitric oxide. The neurotransmitter that causes the sexual message, in men and women, is acetlycholine (ACH). With too little ACH, sexual activity goes down. One way to safely and effectively enhance ACH levels in the body is to take choline supplements (1,000-3,000 mg) and vitamin B5 (500-1,500 mg). Two: Studies have proven that active men who engage in regular physical activity lowered their risk of experiencing erectile dysfunction. Exercise helps ward off impotence the same way it can prevent heart attacks, by keeping blood vessels open. So check out my most recent exercise guidelines to get started on a routine today. Three: Optimize your diet based on your body's unique metabolic type. We each have a unique nutritional type and each type demands varying ratios of macronutrients (fats, proteins and carbohydrates) to function optimally. My Total Health Program provides a deeper understanding of eating the right foods for your specific nutritional type and includes a test and the means to learn and understand your own nutritional type. Four: Because sexual dysfunction can worsen due to stress and anxiety, it is imperative to take control of your emotions by learning the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), the proven energy psychology tool I use daily in my practice. EFT is a psychological acupressure technique that can help you to effectively address your stress-related thoughts and leave you feeling calmer and more able to face your challenges.
One: Sexual arousal occurs not just in the genitals, but also in the whole body, especially the brain. For men, it actually begins when the brain sends impulses down the spinal cord and out to the nerves that serve the penis. These impulses trigger the production of nitric oxide. The neurotransmitter that causes the sexual message, in men and women, is acetlycholine (ACH). With too little ACH, sexual activity goes down. One way to safely and effectively enhance ACH levels in the body is to take choline supplements (1,000-3,000 mg) and vitamin B5 (500-1,500 mg).
Two: Studies have proven that active men who engage in regular physical activity lowered their risk of experiencing erectile dysfunction. Exercise helps ward off impotence the same way it can prevent heart attacks, by keeping blood vessels open. So check out my most recent exercise guidelines to get started on a routine today.
Three: Optimize your diet based on your body's unique metabolic type. We each have a unique nutritional type and each type demands varying ratios of macronutrients (fats, proteins and carbohydrates) to function optimally. My Total Health Program provides a deeper understanding of eating the right foods for your specific nutritional type and includes a test and the means to learn and understand your own nutritional type.
Four: Because sexual dysfunction can worsen due to stress and anxiety, it is imperative to take control of your emotions by learning the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), the proven energy psychology tool I use daily in my practice. EFT is a psychological acupressure technique that can help you to effectively address your stress-related thoughts and leave you feeling calmer and more able to face your challenges.
You can also review the recent article that Dr. MacKay wrote for the site, The Secret Solution to Male Virility.
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