Aspirin or acetylsalicylic acid — a drug that is in every home. And not just eat, but got accustomed to it many years ago. Packaging design, prices, manufacturers, times change, but the presence of aspirin in the first-aid kit remains unchanged.
But is worth keeping traditions and can drink aspirin, which, in fact, has become one of the oldest» drugs and possibly outdated?
- Can Is to drink aspirin and how is useful
- Prohibited aspirin: when not to take it
- Increased risk of bleeding
- Aggressive action on mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract
- Allergic reactions
Can can drink aspirin and what is useful
You may not have known, but aspirin is on the WHO list of essential medicines. Firstly, a substance similar to acetylsalicylic acid is synthesized in the human body, respectively, aspirin is perceived by our body quite "friendly"; and the immune system reacts much less frequently to allergic reactions to this drug than to other drugs that unfamiliar
Secondly, the rich history of aspirin has made it possible to comprehensively study its effect on the human body, select the exact dosages for certain cases, and limit its use in the presence of certain contraindications.
And last, but not in significance — aspirin has a complex effect, and this drug can be taken as an anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic agent.
But the most interesting thing was one of the side effects of aspirin. As it turned out, the drug reduces blood clotting, which has become a determining factor in the treatment and prevention of diseases of the cardiovascular system. Such pathologies are characterized by a tendency to formation of blood clots — "glued" together blood cells that are able to completely block the lumen of the vessel. And the larger the vessel or the more important role it plays in the circulatory system, the more serious the consequences for health and even human life.
Read also: Reducing the risk of blood clots: blood thinners.
But acetylsalicylic acid successfully fights increased blood viscosity, and although it is not able to eliminate the main problem — cause blood clots, but prevents their formation perfectly.
For this reason, aspirin has become the drug of first choice in the treatment and prevention of heart disease.
So, the benefits of acetylsalicylic acid are obvious: it normalizes body temperature, relieves or even completely eliminates pain, fights inflammation and reduces the risk of acute heart diseases such as myocardial infarction.
But the this drug has its unpleasant sides, which you should be aware of.
Prohibited aspirin: when not to take it
The list of contraindications and restrictions can be found in instructions for drug. But we will detail a few of the unpleasant effects of aspirin in more detail.
Increased risk of bleeding
The instructions for acetylsalicylic acid accurately and clearly state that this drug should not be taken in any disease or condition that may cause bleeding. But many people don take into account that such risks are not only peptic ulcer of the stomach or duodenum, but and hemorrhoids, menstruation, postoperative period (even if you just had a tooth removed).
Read also: Frequent nosebleeds: possible causes and help rules
Aggressive action on mucosa of the gastrointestinal tract
Even being so useful, and sometimes completely indispensable, acetylsalicylic acid «technically» — just acid. And it can increase the overall acidity of digestive juices, which will irritate the walls of the stomach or intestines, thus provoking inflammatory and erosive phenomena.
Allergic reactions
Allergy risks when using acetylsalicylic acid are minimal (compared to other NSAIDs). But, nevertheless, some people experience skin reactions similar to allergic ones (rash, itching, swelling). In the vast majority of cases, this is due to an intolerance to salicylate (the main component of aspirin), and has nothing to do with an allergy. But still if such symptoms are observed, the drug should be discontinued.
"Bad" the features of acetylsalicylic acid are few, but require careful use of this drug. So use the "golden rules" Drug Safety: Do not drink aspirin without first consulting your doctor, especially if you have not taken it before. And stop taking the medication if you notice any symptoms that are not related to the problem you are trying to treat with acetylsalicylic acid. Only under such conditions will this drug show its best side and will not harm your health.
Read also: What medications can pregnant women take: when to be careful
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