Viagra and Altitude Sickness

“I saw an article in the L.A. Times Travel section, but this, from Outside Magazine, is the best I could find on a web search:

Study: Viagra May Prevent Mountain Sickness

By Jennifer Villeneuve

Viagra, in addition to its well-publicized ability to cure impotency, also may help treat the potentially fatal condition, high altitude pulmonary edema, according to a study conducted by the Hammersmith Hospital in London.

Working with scientists at the National Center of Cardiology in the high-altitude venue of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Hammersmith scientists found that the same enzyme that restricts blood flow to the #&%!$ also restricts blood flow to the lungs, reports The Independent of London.

The study showed that Viagra inhibits the enzyme, phosphodiesterase, which degrades nitric oxide, says Peter Hackett, president of the International Society of Mountain Medicine and the foremost high-altitude doctor. In the lungs, nitric oxide dilates pulmonary blood vessels, thereby reducing pulmonary pressure. "Viagra means there is more nitric oxide in the lungs," Hackett said. More nitric oxide in the lungs means lower pulmonary pressure and a better chance at avoiding HAPE.

HAPE is caused by a dramatic pressure increase in the pulmonary arteries and capillaries, causing them to leak fluid into the lungs. Because HAPE can occur at altitudes as low as 9,000 feet, it is considered one of the most dangerous forms of mountain sickness.

Nifedipine is currently the most common drug used to treat HAPE, Hackett said, but Viagra may prove to be more effective.

"It's very interesting and promising that Viagra can block pulmonary pressure increases at high altitudes," said Hackett. He emphasized that more studies involving subjects who suffer from HAPE were needed.

So what are the chances of Viagra become a common treatment for HAPE?

Says Hackett: "High. Oh yeah, very high,"




Gives new meaning to....”

“Hmmmmmmmmm.

(No other comment.)”

“I think we've gone over this one before.

As a side benefit, I understand it is a help in self-arrest maneuvers too.”

“I can't wait for the Viagra trip reports to start coming in.”

“Yep, like a built in kickstand.”

“...I started to fall but was able to self-arrest after planting my...firmly in the snow...sure am glad I took my Viagra that morning...”

“May help with the mile high club”

“this was discussed in backpacker magazine about a yr ago. Old news guys”

“I have not heard this before.

Sounds like a damn good excuse to carry it anyway! ;-)

Hey Doc, I need some Viagra for Altitude Sickness on my next Western backpack. How about one of those free trial sized six-packs? ;-)”

“Ewk - breaking news from backpacker mag?

I read it too.”

“I misread and thought Viagra was going to be effective for those with "bad attitudes"”

“I'm thinking taking Viagara if not impotent might be hazardous. On another note:

General Precautions with Viagra:

You should have a complete medical history and exam to determine the cause of your impotence before taking Viagra.

Men who have medical conditions that may cause a sustained erection such as sickle cell anemia, leukemia or multiple myeloma or who have an abnormally shaped #&%!$ may not be able to take Viagra.

There are several medications that are known to interact with Viagra, so be sure to tell your doctor about all medications you are taking including those you can get without a prescription.

Viagra has not been studied with other treatments for impotence, so use in combination with other treatments is not recommended.

What are some possible side effects of Viagra? (This list is NOT a complete list of side effects reported with Viagra. Your health care provider can discuss with you a more complete list of side effects.) (See "Reports of Patients’ Experiences Since Viagra Became Available " for additional information). The following is a listing of the most common side effects:

Headache
Flushing
Upset stomach
Stuffy nose
Urinary tract infection
Visual changes such as mild and temporary changes in blue/green colors or increased sensitivity to light.
Diarrhea

Source: http://www.fda.gov/cder/consumerinfo/druginfo/Viagra.htm
last edited: 12/13/04 6:06:24 PM”

“Viagra is obviously good for altitude sickness because the more blood to your head, the better. Plus if it progresses into HAPE, your climbing partners have a natural handle to grab onto to drag you down the mountain.”

“Maybe the ladies could explain what, exactly, is an abnormaly shaped #&%!$? Or are there any men on here willing to admit to an abnormal shaped #&%!$?

Are we talking about an "L" shape? Maybe a circle?

I swear I've never heard of an abnormaly shaped #&%!$!

I mean besides that botched circumcision story.”

“Visual changes such as mild and temporary changes in blue/green colors

That's not a problem if you don't mind making love to a Smurf.”

“In pharmacology, all drugs have two names - a trade name and a generic name. For example, the trade name of Tylenol is acetaminophen. Aleve is known as naproxen and Advil is ibuprofen. The industry has been looking for a generic name for Viagra. After consideration by a team of government experts, it recently announced the generic name of mycoxafloppin. Also considered were mycoxafailin, mydixadrupin, mydixarizin, mydixadud, dixafix, and of course, ibepokin.
Pfizer Inc. recently indicated that Viagra will soon be available in liquid form and be marketed by Pepsi Cola as a power beverage suitable for use as a mixer. Pepsi's ad campaign claims it will now be
possible for a man to literally pour himself a stiff one. Obviously we can no
longer call this a soft drink. This additive gives a new meaning to the
names of cocktails, highballs and just a good old fashioned stiff drink. Pepsi will market the new concoction by the name of
Mount & Do.”

“LOL@USA

Rodney Dangerfield said on the Jay Leno Show when he was 80 years old: "My doctor prescribed Viagra and prune juice....Now I don't know whether I'm comin' or goin'"”

“I'm sure you've heard that over the past few years, more money has been spent on breast implants and Viagra than on Alzheimer's research. It is believed that as the population ages, there will be a
large number of people wandering around with huge breasts and erections, who can't remember what to do with them.”

“Reserchers did find one redeeming use for viagra lately. It helps kids with serious lung diseases to breathe better.”

“mountain dew me”