Aspirin - the born again drug!

New benefits of this age old pain killer are being discovered Nearly 6,000 years ago, Hippocrates used a brew made from the leaves of the willow tree to ease labour pains. His patients then were actually receiving the beneficial effects of a substance from the willow leaves, called salicin, which is closely related to aspirin.

Although aspirin's pain relieving qualities were discovered thousands of years ago, it's been in the past decade that this drug has proved itself to be a wonder drug, despite it being cheap and humble!

Aspirin: basic use

Aspirin, as we all know, is an effective pain reliever for such conditions as headaches, arthritis and `rheumatism' complaints. Two tablets, three times a day provide good relief for many an arthritic!

The drug is also powerful at lowering high temperatures in feverish patients. So over many years, complaints such as influenza and the common cold can be effectively eased by both pain relieving properties and the temperature lowering effects of aspirin. As it is so cheap and effective, it is the treatment of choice in such common complaints.

BEWARE Aspirin in children under 12 tears of age 12.

Research has shown that a rare condition called Reye's syndrome, which produces brain damage and liver failure, has been associated with the use of aspirin in children under the age of 12 years. This condition, though rare, is often fatal, and so now, all children under the age of 12 years, with a temperature or painful condition, should receive paracetamol, never aspirin.

Aspirin in heart disease and strokes

It has been found that aspirin stops certain blood cells from becoming too `sticky', and so can prevent those cells from forming a blood clot or `thrombosis'. Hence patients who have already had a `coronary thrombosis' or heart attack, do receive some protection from developing a further heart attack by taking a low dose of aspirin daily.
In fact, there is some evidence to show that if an aspirin is taken as early as possible during a heart attack, then the patient stands a better chance of recovery and survival. Maybe we should all have an aspirin sellotaped to our chests, in case of emergency!!

Similar effects are also noticed when stroke patients are put on low dose daily aspirin their risk of suffering a further stroke is drastically reduced! Isn't it wonderful, how a simple pain killer can turn into a life saver?

Angina is a heart condition which produces a tight or heavy sensation in the chest on exertion. We have now found that if these patients take daily aspirin, they will reduce their risk of developing a heart attack.

Aspirin in pregnancy

The drug has been shown to cut the risk of slow growing babies and low birth weight babies, and some research has shown that the incidence of toxaemia in pregnacy can be reduced by taking aspirin.

Aspirin and cataracts

Cataracts are areas of cloudiness in the lens of the eye, which eventually produce blindness. Aspirin has been shown to have a protective effect against developing cataract, in patients at risk such as diabetics, and, in those with early signs of cataract formation.

Aspirin: take it or not?

Anyone who suffers from indigestion or who has had a stomach or duodenal ulcer should not take aspirin. Asthmatics should be wary of taking aspirin, as they may be allergic to the drug. However, if you feel that you may benefit from using aspirin, talk it over with your GP, who will advise you on the dosage and the benefit of taking this `old fashioned' yet `born again' remedy!!

This article was published on Tue 23 June 1992

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