What diseases can aspirin be used for?

Aspirin, also known as acetylsalicylic acid, is a commonly used drug with several medicinal properties. Here's an overview of what aspirin does and how it works.

Aspirin helps relieve mild to moderate pain, such as headaches, toothaches, muscle aches, and menstrual pain. Aspirin also reduces fever by acting on the center of the brain that regulates body temperature.

Aspirin can reduce inflammation, making it useful for conditions such as arthritis and other inflammatory diseases. In low doses, aspirin prevents the formation of blood clots by inhibiting platelet aggregation. This makes it useful for reducing the risk of heart attacks and strokes in people with certain risk factors.

Although aspirin is effective, it can also have side effects, especially when used long-term or in high doses. Aspirin can cause irritation of the stomach lining, leading to stomach pain, nausea, and in severe cases, stomach ulcers or bleeding. Because aspirin reduces blood clotting, its use may increase the risk of bleeding, especially in people who also take other blood-thinning medications or have conditions that cause bleeding.

Some people may be allergic to aspirin, which can lead to symptoms such as rash, swelling, and breathing problems. Aspirin is generally not recommended for children and teens with fever or viral infections because of the risk of Reye's syndrome, a rare but serious condition.

Source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-aspirin-oral-route/description/drg-20069781

Author: Prof. Dr. Dirk Devroey - Latest update: 2024-09-29 - Copyright: Clinifacts 2024