For some, taking a daily aspirin can be a lifesaving option and reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke, but for others it can cause serious health problems such as stomach bleeding and more.
To find out more about this topic, eat this not that medical specialist spoke to Shawn Marshes, a registered nurse with the Mesothelioma Center who has experience and clinical experience with oncology for more than 15 years:
What is taking aspirin and what should people know beforehand?
Aspirin, also known as acetylsalicylic acid or ASA, is in the class of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), Marchese says. It can reduce swelling and pain from inflammation, such as after an injury, infection, or immune response. It also helps reduce fever; Many people use aspirin to relieve headaches, menstrual pain, arthritis, toothache, and muscle soreness. Aspirin also reduces the formation of blood clots and can prevent heart attacks in people with a history of chest pain or previous heart events. In addition, this mechanism can prevent strokes caused by blood clots, but it can be dangerous in the case of a hemorrhagic stroke caused by bleeding in the brain.
How does aspirin work?
Marchese tells us that aspirin works by blocking a group of hormone-like fats known as prostaglandins. Prostaglandins act like switches that regulate the inflammatory response and pain in the face of tissue damage or infection and form blood clots or damaged blood vessels.
What is the positive side of taking aspirin?
According to Marshes, “The upside to aspirin is that it can quickly reduce pain and tissue damage or inflammation. It is relatively safe and affordable for most people without a prescription and can be used in various ways through dose management.”
stomach pain
Unfortunately, aspirin doesn’t selectively target bad prostaglandins, says Marches, who adds, “Some prostaglandins protect the stomach lining from the acids used in digestion. By blocking these beneficial prostaglandins, aspirin can cause stomach bleeding and is considered more harmful to the stomach than all other NSAIDs.”
What can taking aspirin every day do to your body?
Marchese explains that taking a daily aspirin can reduce your risk of heart attack or embolus stroke if you have a history of heart disease. However, it can also increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding and hemorrhagic stroke. The American College of Cardiology advises that; Adults over 70 who haven’t had a previous heart attack shouldn’t take aspirin, especially if they have a higher risk of bleeding. Unfortunately, half of adults over the age of 70 in the United States without heart disease report taking a daily aspirin. A daily low-dose aspirin, usually 81 mg, is the recommended limit for preventing heart attacks or strokes. And before starting or stopping a daily aspirin regimen, check with your doctor about whether you’re at risk of heart attack, stroke or bleeding disorders. Patients who take a daily aspirin should inform their providers before surgery or dental work to prevent excessive bleeding.
Can aspirin interact with other medications?
According to Marchese, because aspirin has many effects on blood vessels and clot formation, check with your doctor first if you’re taking an ACE inhibitor such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), or anticoagulants (blood thinners). Such as warfarin (Coumadin) and heparin. In these cases, aspirin can negatively affect the heart rate or increase bleeding. Aspirin can also interact with beta-blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), and propranolol (Inderal), as well as diuretics (water pills) used for diabetes or edema.
Tips people should know about taking aspirin:
“If you’re taking aspirin as an anticoagulant and you miss a dose, take the missed dose (as soon as you remember unless it’s almost time to take your next pill), Marches says. And don’t take a double dose instead. People should expect side effects such as nausea, vomiting, stomach pain and heartburn, especially if they take other NSAIDs. Watch for signs of serious illness, including rash, hives, swelling of the face or throat, changes in breathing or heart rate, ringing in the ears, and blood in vomit or stool.
How effective is aspirin?
“Aspirin is more effective as an antiplatelet or anticoagulant than a pain reliever,” Marches says. Many modern pain relievers such as Tylenol, Motrin, and naproxen last longer and have fewer toxic effects on the stomach. Where better drugs are available for anti-inflammatory effects. But few other drugs have concurrent effects like aspirin.”
Do not take too many NSAIDs at once
Marchese cautions against taking multiple types of NSAIDs simultaneously; Wait about eight to 12 hours. They can counter each other and cause serious damage to your stomach. Always check with your doctor before taking any new medication, even if it seems safe, such as aspirin.