Aspirin, a white crystalline or powdered salicylic acid derivative, occupies an extremely important position in the field of medicine and is known as one of the three classic drugs in the history of medicine.
Although many of the side effects of aspirin have been known with advances in medicine, such as the possibility of causing problems such as hyperuricemia, liver damage, and bleeding, its unique efficacy is still appreciated. So, what are the main medical uses of aspirin?
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7 benefits of aspirin
The 7 main benefits of aspirin include:
Pain relief
Aspirin has an analgesic effect and can be used to relieve mild to moderate pain, such as headaches, toothaches, muscle pain, joint pain, and menstrual pain.
Reduces fever
By inhibiting the synthesis of prostaglandins, aspirin helps lower body temperature and treat fever.
Antiplatelet aggregation
Aspirin can inhibit platelet aggregation and reduce thrombosis, which can be used to prevent myocardial infarction and stroke.
Anti-inflammatory effect
Aspirin can reduce inflammation, so it is used to treat various inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.
Prevent cancer
Studies have shown that small doses of aspirin may help prevent colon cancer and certain other types of cancer.
Treatment of angina
Aspirin can be used to relieve angina because it dilates blood vessels and reduces the burden on the heart.
Prevent motion sickness
Aspirin can help reduce symptoms of motion sickness, such as nausea and vomiting.
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What to pay attention to when taking aspirin for a long time
Dose control
When taking aspirin for a long time, it should be taken strictly according to the dosage prescribed by the doctor, and it is not advisable to increase the dose on your own.
Monitor bleeding risk
Aspirin has an antiplatelet aggregation effect and may increase the risk of bleeding, especially gastrointestinal bleeding. Therefore, patients who take aspirin for a long time should have regular bleeding risk assessments to watch for bleeding tendencies, such as subcutaneous bleeding, melena or bloody stools.
Monitor blood pressure and heart health
Aspirin has a protective effect on the cardiovascular system, but it may also affect blood pressure and heart function, so blood pressure and heart health need to be monitored regularly.
Watch for drug interactions
Aspirin may interact with other medications, affect their effectiveness or increase side effects, so you should consult your doctor when using other drugs at the same time.
Dietary modifications
People who take aspirin for a long time should avoid alcohol and consume vitamin K in moderation because alcohol may increase the risk of bleeding, which is inherently important for blood clotting.
Pay attention to your personal physique
Some people may be allergic to aspirin, or have diseases that are not suitable for aspirin, such as ulcer disease, liver and kidney insufficiency, etc., and these people should avoid using aspirin.
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How long to take aspirin
Prevention of cardiovascular disease
It is usually recommended to take small daily doses, such as 75-325 mg. For the prevention of myocardial infarction and stroke, patients usually take it in the morning after waking up to keep the concentration of the drug in the blood stable.
Pain relief
Aspirin should be taken as soon as pain occurs to achieve optimal pain relief. Usually, aspirin starts working 30-60 minutes after oral administration.
Anti-inflammatory effect
For the treatment of inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, aspirin is usually taken after a meal to reduce irritation of the gastric mucosa.
Treatment of angina
In the event of an attack of angina, aspirin should be taken immediately. If your doctor recommends taking it regularly to prevent angina, it's usually taken in the morning as well.
Prevent motion sickness
For motion sickness prevention, it should be taken before travel or at the beginning of motion sickness symptoms.
It is important to note that the time to take aspirin should be determined according to the doctor's recommendation. In addition, aspirin should not be taken on an empty stomach as it may irritate the gastric mucosa, causing stomach pain or gastric bleeding. Certain special populations, such as children, pregnant women, lactating women, the elderly, people with liver and kidney insufficiency, and people with specific health conditions, should consult a physician before taking aspirin.