A Quick Guide to Aspirin Use

Since 1995, when the Harvard Health Letter reported that daily aspirin saves lives, the said medication have ignited medical enthusiastic scientists to review and discover the healing prowess hidden inside this small white pill. Each researcher wearing lab coat came to a different conclusion as well as dosage recommendations.

Just what is aspirin, and for what types of illnesses can it be used? Aspirin or acetylsalicylic acid, which became almost synonymous to pain reliever, is a drug that relieves pain and inflammation, lowers fever, and reduces blood clotting. It comes in two types, the prescription and nonprescription aspirins. Prescription aspirin is often used to relieve pain resulting from rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, systematic lupus erythematosus, and some rheumatologic conditions. On the other hand, nonprescription aspirin is for fever reduction as well as relieving mild to moderate pain due to headaches, menstrual periods, arthritis, colds, toothaches, and muscle aches. People who have history of heart attack and angina sufferers may also take the nonprescription aspirin.

The research report in Harvard Health Letter concluded that nearly everyone who has ever had a heart attack or stroke, suffers from angina, or has undergone coronary artery bypass surgery should take one-half to one aspirin tablet daily unless they are allergic to the drug. Others say daily intake of aspirin is beneficial to individuals ages 50 and up who are at risk of heart attack. There are also researches, spending significant amount of time in their lab coats and in laboratories, claiming that daily aspirin reduces colon cancer risk. Because of cardiovascular and cancer therapeutic claims, low-dose aspirin intake has become a common practice in people ages 50 and up.

Moreover, another study claims that large doses of aspirin, if taken over a long period, may help diabetic patients lower their blood-sugar levels. And just recently, low dose of aspirin can help detect advanced colorectal neoplasms because it increases the likelihood of gastrointestinal bleeding.

The latter effect of aspirin causes all-too-frequent problem which puts individuals in, at times, life-threatening situations – the medication-induced bleeding. Not only that, aspirin can causes a number of side effects, which tells us that it is not a medication for everybody’s use. Significantly, people must consider seeing a physician before taking over-the counter medications having aspirin substance, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDS. Those with history of allergic reactions to drugs, suffering from bleeding problems, aspirin intolerance, as well as stomach or gastrointestinal ailments need a physician in nurse uniforms to review their health condition.

Consumer Reports on Health identifies individuals who may consider taking aspirin. Among which are those with coronary heart disease or have narrowed carotid arteries. Individuals who suffered from a thrombotic stroke due to clots or a transient ischemic attack may also take aspirin. People in ages 50 and up who smoke, diabetic, with elevated total cholesterol level, with low HDL cholesterol, severely obese, heavy drinker, suffers from hypertension, members of families with history of coronary disease or stroke, and those living a sedentary lifestyle may also consider benefiting from aspirin. But just the same, consulting a physician in lab coat before starting any treatment therapy will be wise.