Acitylsalicylic acid, or, as it is popularly called, aspirin, is a very common medication. With the help of this drug, they reduce the temperature, treat fever, anesthetize and even escape from a hangover.
But what are the harm and benefits of aspirin, not many know. The most important thing that helped! This is the wrong approach to drug treatment. Like other drugs, aspirin has a light and dark side. In this article, we consider such issues as the harm and benefits of aspirin, areas of application, limitations and indications for use.
From the history
This type of acid has been known for a very long time. How to get it? From willow bark. Hippocrates and medieval herbalists noticed her healing and analgesic properties. But willow was a valuable raw material for light industry, so in the field of pharmaceuticals it was forgotten for several centuries.
Whom to thank for the new appearance of aspirin? The triumphant return was organized by Napoleon during the blockade of Europe. The problem was that they stopped importing quinine, which was popular among antipyretic drugs. Then the aspirin treatment replaced, only at that time it was known as acetylsalicylic acid. But the taste of this product left much to be desired, and it affected the mucous membranes annoyingly.
How did the name "Aspirin" appear? It all happened in 1899. Felix Hoffman received a pure derivative of salicylic acid. Then the German company patented it and gave the name "Aspirin".
Application
Initially, the drug was used in the form of a powder, but over time it gained popularity. What are the harms and benefits of aspirin? To begin with, it was initially prescribed to patients who suffered from inflammation of the pleura and bladder. But they later noticed that it also helps with other diseases, such as gonorrhea or tuberculosis.
The benefits of aspirin are certainly great. Why is he so versatile? Everything is explained very simply: each human cell has a protective membrane. When under any influence it breaks through, arachidonic acid is released. Together with other enzymes, it signals a breakdown (fever, fever, inflammation). Can I drink aspirin in such cases? Of course, it reduces the release of enzymes, thereby inhibiting inflammatory processes.
Cardiovascular diseases
Aspirin helps with a large number of diseases, influenza and acute respiratory infections are not limited. For example, take the very common cardiovascular diseases in our country. Very often use aspirin to thin the blood. How to take and how long the course of treatment lasts, we will describe a little later.
The thing is that acetylsalicylic acid is able to thin the blood, thereby reducing the risk of blood clots, and as a result it significantly reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Note that a large dose of aspirin can help with a heart attack that has already happened. From it, mortality is reduced by twenty-three percent.
Cancer
The results of a study by American scientists have revealed another useful property of acetylsalicylic acid. They describe how to take aspirin for cancer prevention. If this drug is used throughout the year, the disease does not progress, the tumor decreases, and the risk of metastases significantly decreases.
There is one “but”: the study of aspirin in this area is not yet sufficiently supported by facts, so it cannot be included in anti-cancer therapy.
Pregnancy
The harm and benefits of aspirin do not apply equally to all population groups. We suggest that you separately study the effects of aspirin during pregnancy.
Any drug, if not taken, can harm the mother and the unborn baby during pregnancy. Even the most harmless medications have restrictions or cautions regarding admission to expectant mothers. Even vitamins, and those are not always allowed, and not any.
Aspirin is very difficult to call a safe remedy for a pregnant girl, but many doctors prescribe it for prevention. How to understand them? The thing is that acetylsalicylic acid can harm only in the first and third trimesters.
The risks
Why exactly these periods? Everything is explained quite simply. In the first trimester of pregnancy, the formation of the internal organs of the baby occurs, so aspirin can harm this process. In the third trimester, the risk is due to the fact that it dilutes the blood, as a result of which there can be a big loss of blood during childbirth.
Some doctors do not recommend taking this drug to their wards, so they find a less dangerous replacement for it. Why? Because aspirin has an aggressive composition and has many side effects. Regarding the question: "The benefits of aspirin and harm, what more?" - it's up to you. The reverse side of aspirin is presented below.
Side effects
The following are common:
- nausea;
- diarrhea;
- anorexia;
- impaired liver / kidney function;
- asthma formation;
- anemia;
- leukopenia;
- gastrointestinal ulcer;
- bleeding
- hearing loss;
- swelling.
Harm during pregnancy
- risk of miscarriage;
- pregnancy complications;
- repotting;
- risk of placental abruption;
- cardiac and pulmonary complications in a child;
- bleeding during childbirth.
Why pregnant women need aspirin
If you are used to using this drug for headaches, temperature, then it's time to abandon it. Paracetamol safe during pregnancy will be a good substitute.
However, some people just need to drink aspirin if, for example, blood clotting is increased. In these cases, the child does not receive oxygen well, which threatens to miscarry. If a woman has found this problem or there is a risk, then a quarter of aspirin tablets are prescribed per day.
It is also prescribed for varicose veins, but there are also less dangerous drugs, for example, Curantil. If the situation is not critical, then it is recommended to use products that thin the blood instead of medication: cranberries, carrots, beets.
Aspirin for blood thinning: how to take, dosage
Often in colloquial speech there is the concept of "thick blood". You should not take everything literally. Platelets are responsible for blood coagulation. Over time, strong hormonal changes occur in the human body. Substances appear in the blood that affect the rate of platelet aggregation, which leads to the formation of blood clots (blood clots). They are the cause of the sudden death of people.
Thinking about this issue is necessary already in forty years. Taking aspirin daily reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Note that many do not have the patience for the entire treatment, they finish the course sooner than they should. But only daily and long-term use of drugs containing aspirin will help in this problem.
The choice of medicine should be given to the doctor, only he will be able to choose the right drug that does not harm your health. Who should pay special attention to? People who have heart attacks and strokes in the family. Hemorrhoids and varicose veins are also signals.
"Aspirin": instructions, price
Dosage and method of application depends on the purpose of administration. If it comes to prevention, then it should be taken for life after reaching a certain age. You need to drink one tablet in the evening, washed down with water. Why drink at night? It is at this time of day that blood clots are more likely to form. In emergency situations, the tablet must be chewed and placed under the tongue.
The daily dose for prevention is 100 mg, for treatment is 300 mg. As a rule, aspirin is sold in a pharmacy with a dosage of 500 mg, so you should be careful. An overdose can aggravate the overall clinical picture and lead to an increased rate of blood clot formation.
Are there any analogues with this drug? Of course, yes:
- "Aspecard";
- Cardiomagnyl;
- Warfarin.
To dilute blood, aspirin can not be limited. You need to seriously review your diet. It should include fruits, vegetables, berries, fish, a large amount of liquid.
Prices for acetylsalicylic acid vary from one hundred to five hundred rubles.