Aspirin is much more than a pill for a headache. For some people, it’s the daily dose that keeps their heart beating and blood flowing. Aspirin can be incredibly effective and important, but it’s not for everyone. That means you need a thorough understanding of how it works, including its benefits and side effects, before deciding to take it (https://longevity.technology/lifestyle/aspirin-benefits-uses-side-effects-interactions-dosage/).
To understand the history of aspirin, you have to go back thousands of years to when people first started using willow bark for pain relief. Willow bark contains something called salicylic acid, and in 1853, a chemist called Charles Frédéric Gerhardt synthesized sodium salicylate with acetylsalicylic acid to create acetylsalicylic acid.
It took a while for the process to produce acetylsalicylic acid to become more efficient and for people to realize its full potential. It was in 1899 that it became widely available as a medicine around the world, under the Bayer brand name of aspirin. The rights for that trademark have since been sold or expired, turning aspirin into a generic label.
Today, aspirin is still best known for alleviating pain, reducing inflammation and counteracting fevers. It’s used to treat headaches, muscle soreness, menstrual cramps and arthritis, among other things. Not as widely recognized but possibly more importantly, it has blood thinning properties. This means it can reduce the risk of blood clots, which means you’re less likely to have a stroke or heart attack. There has also been some research into its impact on cancer prevention.
This doesn’t mean everyone should take an aspirin a day. Its blood thinning properties can be dangerous if you have hemophilia or another bleeding disorder or you’re taking other blood thinning medication (including herbal supplements like ginseng). There are other contraindicated medications, including some blood pressure pills, anti-inflammatories or certain antidepressants. You shouldn’t take it with alcohol or steroids.
Some people can have allergic reactions to aspirin or may experience nausea, vomiting, stomach ulcers, gastrointestinal bleeding or tinnitus. Children and teenagers may experience a type of severe headache known as Reye’s Syndrome, which can also cause problems with eyesight. It’s not great for people with stomach problems, asthma, kidney disease or liver disease.
Aspirin is very important and useful, but you shouldn’t overdo it. Talk to your doctor about whether it’s appropriate for you and the right dosage.
