All You Need To Know About Aspirin:
Aspirin is also referred to as Acetylsalicylic Acid (ASA). It is the most widely used type of NSAID (a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent) which helps in relieving pain, inflammation, minor aches, and fever. It also aids in blood thinning and is popularly used among people who have a high risk of forming blood clots, stroke, and heart attack. Aspirin is always advised that patients with chances of getting a heart attack must carry aspirin pills along with them to prevent sudden heart attacks and clot formation.
Full Benefits of it:
1. It is the most widely used NSAID to treat mild to moderate pain, migraines, and fever.
2. It is also used in the treatment of headaches, menstrual pain, colds, flu, sprains, strains, and long-term conditions such as arthritis.
3. It can treat mild to moderate pain, if the pain is severe it has to be taken with other opioid analgesics or NSAIDs.
High Doses Aids In:
1. Rheumatic fever
2. Rheumatic arthritis
3. Other inflammatory joint conditions
4. Pericarditis
Surprising Benefit of it:
Many people use aspirin powder to treat pimples. To use aspirin for pimples, follow the instructions:
1. Take a few tablets and make them into a fine powder.
2. Now mix this powder with warm water to make a fine paste.
3. Wash your face and apply this mixture directly to your pimples or you can also apply it on your entire face as a facemask.
4. Let it sit on your face for 10 to 15 minutes.
5. Rinse with warm water followed by your usual moisturizer.
Repeat the process once or twice a week and continue to use it until you see the results.
Low Doses of it:
1. Prevents the formation of blood clots.
2. Reduces the risk of transient ischemic attack (TIA) and unstable angina.
3. Prevents myocardial infarction in patients with cardiovascular disease by preventing clot formation.
4. Prevents colorectal cancer.
Children:
It is not suitable for children under 16 years of age because it might increase the risk of Reyes’s syndrome which can appear after a virus that includes cold, flu, and chickenpox; and eventually can lead to brain injury or death.
It may be prescribed to children under 16 years if they have Kawasaki disease and to prevent blood clot formation after surgery.
Who Should Not Take Aspirin?
it is not recommended in people who have:
1. Peptic ulcer
2. Hemophilia or any other bleeding disorders
3. Hypersensitivity
4. Allergic to NSAIDs
5. Risk of gastrointestinal bleeding or hemorrhagic shock
6. Drink alcohol regularly
7. Undergoing dental or surgical treatment
Caution Advised in people with the following conditions:
1. Asthma
2. Uncontrolled hypertension
3. Previous peptic ulcer
5. Renal problems
Risks Associated with Aspirin:
1. It is not advised to take Aspirin all the time during a stroke because not all strokes are caused by the formation of blood clots. At times, it may make the condition worse.
2. Patients who are undergoing surgical operations should inform their doctor if they are on aspirin regularly. They are advised to discontinue the use of Aspirin medication 7 days before surgery.
3. Pregnant and breastfeeding women may be given a low dose of it that is only under the supervision of their doctor. High doses are not suitable for them.
Interactions:
Be careful with drug-drug interactions. The most common drugs that interact with are:
1.Painkillers such as diclofenac, ibuprofen, indomethacin, and naproxen. These enhance the risk of stomach bleeding when taken in combination.
2. Methotrexate is a drug that uses in the treatment of cancer and some autoimmune diseases. When taken that makes the body harder to eliminate methotrexate resulting in high and potentially dangerous levels of methotrexate in the body.
3. It increases the risk of bleeding when used with citalopram, fluoxetine, paroxetine, venlafaxine, and sertraline.
Above are the few drugs that interact. Therefore, always inform your doctor about your previous and current list of medicine(s)while taking it.
Note: Remember to keep Aspirin tablets out of sight and reach of children.