Possible Side Effects Of Aspirin   

Since its discovery, around 4000 years ago, aspirin has been an indispensable drug. It belongs to the class of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) and contains salicylate, a compound derived from willow bark and myrtle. Many people today, use willow bark tea for remedying fever and minor pains. Despite how good a drug it is, if not used according to the directions of Internal Medicine specialists. There are possible side effects of aspirin. Read on to know the possible side effects of aspirin, and how to deal with them:

What Is Aspirin?

Aspirin is an NSAID and a salicylate that works by reducing enzymes in the body making fever and pain mediators. For centuries this drug was used for the treatment of mild fever, pain, and even inflammation.

Apart from fever and pain, healthcare providers use high-dose aspirin to manage rheumatic diseases and daily dosing of aspirin to lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases in patients with a very high-risk profile. Even immediately thereafter to prevent further clots formation and death of heart tissue.

What Are The Uses Of Aspirin?

Healthcare providers prescribe aspirin for treating and preventing a number of illnesses, such as:

Relieving pain and inflammation:

aspirin is an over-the-counter drug that helps to relieve mild fever, aches, and pains, including those of period cramps, strains, sprains, and migraine. For people with severe pain, aspirin is prescribed in addition to a stronger drug like an opioid pain killer.

Cardiovascular diseases:

Because of the antiplatelet and anti-clotting effect of aspirin, daily use of it is prescribed in reducing the risk of adverse events like heart attack The FDA recommends using aspirin under the supervision of a healthcare provider in people who have the risk factors like history of heart disease, uncontrolled or long-term diabetes, hypertension, high blood cholesterol, and evidence of poor blood flow to the brain. Aspirin is prescribed for daily use in smokers, as they have a very high risk of cardiovascular events.

Ischemic events:

In ischemic events such as stroke and heart attack, aspirin is administered as soon as possible to prevent clot formation and tissue death. Aspirin is also in the treatment of people who have undergone revascularization surgery like coronary bypass (CABG) or angioplasty (PCI).

Others:

A high dose of aspirin is recommended to individuals having rheumatic conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. This is because the anti-inflammatory action of aspirin only manifests at high doses.

What Are The Side Effects Of Aspirin?

If not used under the supervision of a healthcare provider, aspirin can be a dangerous drug. The following are the side-effects of aspirin:

• Bleeding: Aspirin can cause severe bleeding especially in people already suffering from bleeding disorders like hemophilia. In certain conditions like dengue, the platelet count is already low, and aspirin can worsen this thrombocytopenia.
• Gastric upset: aspirin can cause peptic and gastric ulcers.
• Asthma: in patients, especially children, aspirin can induce asthma
• Kidney disease: aspirin lowers the blood flow to the kidneys and may cause acute kidney injury
• Reye syndrome: in children, post-viral use of aspirin is contraindicated as it may cause hepato-encephalopathy of Reye syndrome.

What are the precautions of aspirin?

It is recommended that healthcare provider like Best Internal Medicine Specialist in Karachi checks the progress of the patient while they are taking aspirin. The patient should inform the doctor in case of bleeding problems, including vomiting blood, bruising and weakness, or in case of stomach upset, black and tarry stools. Unless approved by the healthcare provider, the patient should abstain from consuming herbal medicines, teas, and supplements with daily aspirin therapy.