We all know that Viagra helps treat erectile dysfunction. We also know that it is widely available and can be bought only on prescription. We also know that it is one of the most popular drugs today. However, there are a few things that we don’t about this drug; and that's what this article is all about. Read on to find out 10 surprising facts about Viagra:

Fact #1: Viagra was originally developed as a drug for angina. However, when it was seen that angina patients got a rare, peculiar side effect i.e. an erection, it was marketed as an erectile dysfunction drug.

Fact #2: Viagra is now going to be made available as a gel, which is to be sold over the counter. This is further going to enhance the popularity of Viagra and make it a pioneer treatment option for erectile dysfunction once again.

Fact #3: Viagra is also useful for the treatment of a serious disorder of high pressure in the blood vessels leading to the lungs known as pulmonary hypertension. It is sold under the name of Revatio for this purpose.

Fact #4: Highly unlikely but nevertheless true, Viagra is also effective against mountain sickness and helps you to improve your ability to work in low oxygen conditions typical in high altitudes.

Fact #5: When exposed to extreme cold, your hands and fingers become pale, cold and you suffer from pain due the spasms of the small arteries. Viagra helps to keep the blood flowing in the fingers and toes treating a condition known as Raynaud's syndrome.

Fact #6: Viagra has proven to be a blessing for parents of underweight babies. Viagra increases blood supply to the womb and placenta so that more nutrients and oxygen pass to the foetus and the baby grows normally.

Fact #7: Viagra has also helped stroke patients by speeding up their recovery time. It improves movement, speech and thinking and to everybody's surprise, also creates new brain cells. Viagra significantly improves neurological functions.

Fact #8: Viagra is also being researched as a drug to improve memory and learning skills. It is also believed to work as a futuristic treatment for Alzheimer's disease.

Fact #9: According to a report from Auburn University Viagra may protect multiple sclerosis patients from neuro-degeneration through increased grey matter perfusion in the brain. This can significantly help people affected by multiple sclerosis.

Fact #10: Research on 40 men at the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social in Mexico showed that Viagra lowered levels of compounds associated with heart disease in patients suffering from type-2 diabetes and improved glucose control.

From being used for small problems such as jet lag and increasing the life of cut flowers, to big health problems such as strokes and heart diseases, Viagra has also been proven to tackle the problem of unconsummated marriages. It is a well-publicised fact that Viagra is highly successful for erectile dysfunction treatment but its other 'off-label' uses are less publicised; these uses no matter how surprising they are, are completely true and adds to the popularity of the already popular Viagra.