HEALTH

VIAGRA® PREVENTS ALZHEIMER’S?

by: Daniel Pearce, D.O., FACOI, AAHIVMS

VIAGRA® PREVENTS ALZHEIMER’S?
A group ran a study by comparing those in a pharmacy database taking Viagra® (sildenafil) to those who did not and found that those filling sildenafil prescriptions had a 69% lower incidence of Alzheimer’s disease. This is an early database study and the next step is to do a randomized, controlled trial to get better quality information. Maybe those on sildenafil were more athletic and took better care of themselves in terms of nutrition and exercise or were on cholesterol medications. There was a study showing that higher ice cream sales was associated with pool drownings. The factor they didn’t consider was that both happen in the Summer. You can see a better trial is needed before you ask for sildenafil to prevent Alzheimer’s. Sildenafil is used for high blood pressure of the lungs and erection problems. Crystal methamphetamine can cause high blood pressure of the lungs, a very serious condition.

OH, I’M CAREFUL, I WON’T GET THAT
We want to believe in the fantasy that we won’t get that: cancer, infection, terrible trauma, mental problem. That is why we read articles or ask questions to find out why we won’t get it. I don’t smoke, I am a vegetarian, I am a good driver, I handle problems well, I keep myself safe, I don’t live in that area. We like to think in black and white: I will or won’t get that. In reality, life is a series of risk management decisions. We can lower our risk but not to zero. Once we start thinking how we can lower risks, then we can change our behavior and deal with reality, not live in a fantasy. I know I will get cancer, diabetes, a heart attack, …..before I am 120. The goal is to lower the risk to postpone getting that.

JUNK FOOD ASSOCIATED WITH MENTAL ILLNESS
A study showed that highly processedk foods (empty calories; full of white flour, corn; and missing vitamins, minerals, fiber) was associated with a person coming down with depression in 2-10 years. These are the foods that are ready to eat from packages. Beware! This is another piece of the puzzle pushing us towards healthy eating. I’m looking forward to making whole wheat Wheat Thins® this evening. I just had some black bean and vegetable soup I made yesterday for a healthy lunch.

COVID INFECTS AND HIDES OUT IN FAT
This may explain why obese people in general do worse. The skin is the largest organ in the body and if it is thick with fat, that makes a lot of hiding places for Covid. This may explain the Long Covid syndrome, that the covid might live longer in fat.

BLOOD PRESSURE CONTROL WORSE DURING COVID
We call high blood pressure/hypertension the silent killer since usually the patient feels fine, but their heart will tire pumping against that higher pressure for years and hardening of the arteries is accelerated when the pressure is not controlled. Some Medi-Cal insurances pay for blood pressure machines and I ask my patients what their pressure is. It is best to know and take steps to get the pressure down so they can live a longer life and postpone suffering.

COVID BOOSTERS DROP RISK OF COVID, HOSPITAL, AND DEATH
Israel offered to vaccinate all citizens and the majority took the offer. Then the risks of getting Covid, being hospitalized, or dying went way down. Then about 6 months later the numbers went up slowly showing those who were >6 months past the last injection were now at a higher risk. So they offered the boosters and again the risk dropped dramatically.

SHIFTING THE NUMBER OF GIRLS TO BOYS BORN
Researchers found associations of more girls when there was more mercury, chromium, and aluminum pollutants in the environment, and more boys if there was more lead. What else were these pollutants doing?

CDC RECOMMENDS OFFER PrEP TO EVERYONE
The CDC recommends primary care providers discuss and offer PrEP to all sexually active patients and don’t argue with them if they want it. I have found that a patient may not want to admit to me that they are having sex with more than their partner or suspect their partner of doing that. In general, I must give the patient the benefit of the doubt because most people don’t want to take medication unless it is needed and will get tired of it if the reason is not strong. E.g. if their partner is undetectable and therefor untransmissible, U=U, then there is no need to give PrEP but if they want it, I’ll give it for the reasons above.

Keep those questions coming and be safe!