Controversy continues to surround the potential health risks of impotence drugs. The latest: Some men taking impotence drugs such as Viagra have developed a form of blindness, leading health officials to wonder if the drugs played a role.
The specific vision condition under investigation is known as non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) -- sudden vision loss when blood flow to the optic nerve is blocked.
What makes Viagra and other impotence drugs prime suspects in the case is that the drugs work by slightly dilating arteries so that blood flow in the penis increases. And while it is unknown whether this affects blood flow to the eye, some effect on the optic nerve is possible.
Vision Reports
Federal health officials are evaluating vision reports among dozens of men who have used impotence drugs; so far, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has collected 43 reports of NAION among patients taking:
They include varying degrees of vision loss, including blindness. One concern, however, is that the illnesses responsible for impotence (i.e. high blood pressure and diabetes) are also linked to the type of vision loss in question, thus making it difficult to ascertain the true cause.
And where does the FDA stand? The agency is in discussions about the reported vision loss cases with the manufacturers of the three drugs, in case there is a problem with the class of medication, and to determine if modifications need to be made to the drugs' labels.
Bloomberg.com May 27, 2005
USA Today May 27, 2005
While it's unfortunate that drug side effects severe enough to call the FDA into action usually seem to surface after the drug has been accepted for public use, at least we know that the system occasionally works.
Considering anti-impotence drugs can also contribute to heart attacks and infertility, and that this condition is often related to serious health problems, including heart disease and diabetes, a more thorough approach that investigates and addresses potential underlying causes will be much more supportive of your long-term health.
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.
I also recommend reading the recent article that Dr. Douglas MacKay wrote for the site, The Secret Solution to Male Virility.
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Beware: Taking Anti-Impotence Pills Can Make You Blind! A Hard Pill to Swallow About Impotence Drugs... Soy Supplements Can Decrease Sexual Behavior
Beware: Taking Anti-Impotence Pills Can Make You Blind!
A Hard Pill to Swallow About Impotence Drugs...
Soy Supplements Can Decrease Sexual Behavior