“The history of the use of acetylsalicylic acid dates back thousands of years,” says Candidate of Medical Sciences, researcher at the Scientific Center for Neurology Anton Raskurazhev . “Even in ancient Egyptian papyri dating back to the 16th century BC. e., among the descriptions of herbal preparations, the plant salix is mentioned, today known as willow. The Ebers Papyrus, one of the oldest medical texts, talks about the use of a decoction of willow tree bark as a pain reliever. From Hippocrates' we know that he prescribed willow bark extract to patients as an antipyretic and analgesic.
Article on the topic Curious about treatment methods. How our ancestors dealt with illnesses
The results of the first clinical study on the use of willow bark as a treatment for patients with malaria were published in 1758 in England. In 1763, the active substance of this drug - salicylic acid - was described, in 1828 the active substance called “salicin” was identified, and in 1859 the industrial production of salicylic acid was established.
In the 19th century These drugs were successfully used to treat rheumatism and rheumatic fever, which were common at that time. Then doctors first noticed the side effects of this medicine: first of all, on the gastrointestinal tract.
There is a legend that says that it was thanks to aspirin that Grigory Rasputin of Emperor Nicholas II and gained influence over the imperial family He canceled the newfangled aspirin to Tsarevich Alexei
In the 20th century, aspirin gained fame as a powerful and versatile anti-inflammatory and antipyretic drug, and this drug became the best-selling drug among over-the-counter drugs. And after the antiplatelet effect (suppression of blood clotting) of acetylsalicylic acid was discovered, doctors began to recommend daily aspirin to prevent stroke and prevent cardiovascular diseases.”
How not to go broke when you have a cold. Choosing antipyretics Read more
So, potential danger or actual prevention?
Consuming aspirin on a daily basis has some health benefits, but a number of existing side effects can weigh heavily on the other side of the scale.
For years, we have been advised to take small doses of aspirin daily to reduce the risk of heart failure. However, just last year, researchers reported in The Lancet (an independent international journal of theoretical and practical medicine) that in a healthy person, the risk of serious internal bleeding outweighed the prevention of heart disease.
This, in turn, prompted a series of fundamental changes in the policies of government agencies and charities such as the UK Heart Foundation and Diabetes. Their new guidelines removed the recommendation for daily aspirin unless a person actually has a history of heart disease.
However, a month ago, another study was conducted at the University of Oxford, which showed that daily consumption of a small dose of aspirin (1/4 tablet) for 5 years helps reduce the risk of developing bowel cancer by as much as 25%. These results supported the view of some doctors that (daily) aspirin should be used in people over 45 years of age.
Why does a person’s blood thicken: reasons
There are more than enough reasons why blood can thicken, let’s look at the main ones:
- Let's start, perhaps, with such a problem as a lack of vitamins and nutrients. You probably know that this reason contributes to the appearance of not only this disease. It is not at all difficult to guess that vitamins, minerals and other nutrients are essential for the human body. In simple words, this is how our body gets the strength it needs. That is why, when the body does not receive the proper substances, it can also affect the quality of the blood.
- Dehydration or drinking poor quality water. Water quality has deteriorated significantly in recent years. However, a person cannot stop drinking water, because, as you know, we are made of water. The composition of water also affects the composition of the blood. Dehydration in turn affects the thickness of the blood.
- Age and sedentary lifestyle. "Movement is life". As we age, it becomes increasingly difficult for us to follow this saying. Also, human activity has decreased significantly due to technological progress. One way or another, this factor also contributes to the appearance of this disease.
Blood thickens
- Wrong diet. Eating a lot of fatty, fried and sweet foods will definitely not lead to anything good, and the fact that this causes thick blood is another proof of this. Here we can also say again about the quality of water and the problem of its absorption.
- Poor functioning of the liver and spleen. First of all, the balance of blood composition is disturbed. To put it simply, there is much less plasma than other blood components.
- Heredity. If your family suffered from similar problems, then there is a chance that your body is more prone to a similar disease.
- Stress experienced. Stress hormones cause blood to thicken. “All illnesses come from nerves” - you’ve probably heard more than once and this is true.
It is precisely because of the above that people very often suffer from thick blood. But many reasons can be easily eliminated, if a person wishes to do so.
Another important point are the symptoms of this disease:
- Of course, weakness in the body and a constant desire to sleep
- Frequent headaches, blood pressure problems
- Vein swelling
- Irritability, aggressiveness and even depression
- It is important to understand that only a specialist can make an accurate diagnosis. To do this, you will be prescribed a number of necessary procedures.
Positive properties of aspirin
Aspirin thins the blood, which prevents clogged arteries and blood clots. This effect provides a reduction in intracranial pressure during headaches and vascular inflammation in smokers and people with high cholesterol levels, who are overweight or exposed to regular stress.
However, it is less clear exactly how aspirin may influence the development of malignant tumors. This may be due to the fact that blood clots increase the risk of certain types of cancer.
Risks
Why these particular periods? Everything is explained quite simply. In the first trimester of pregnancy, the formation of the baby's internal organs occurs, so aspirin can harm this process. In the third trimester, the risk is due to the fact that it thins the blood, as a result of which there may be a large loss of blood during childbirth.
Some doctors do not recommend that their patients take this drug, so they find a less dangerous replacement for it. Why? Because aspirin has an aggressive composition and has many side effects. Regarding the question: “The benefits of aspirin and harm, what is more?” – it’s up to you to decide. We will present the reverse side of aspirin below.
What then is the danger of aspirin?
Aspirin blocks signals that signal the formation of clots, such as fibrinogen, whose elevated levels lead to blood clotting disorders. Thus, if you experience bleeding in your stomach or brain, the ineffectiveness of the blood clotting system can cause irreparable health consequences. According to one source, approximately 5,000 patients are admitted to hospitals each year with internal bleeding caused by regular aspirin use.
Until recently, most experts believed that the heart benefits of aspirin outweighed the risks.
However, the alarm signal came in May 2009, when Oxford University professor Colin Baigent published the results of his clinical trials in the renowned medical journal The Lancet. According to the scientist, only experiments in recent years have allowed science to obtain reliable data regarding the risks or benefits associated with the consumption of aspirin. This made it possible to reassess the balance of benefits received with truly dangerous risks.
Since then, scientists have become more inclined to believe that aspirin should be contraindicated in healthy people to avoid too much risk of bleeding. Aspirin can also damage the inner walls of the stomach by reducing the amount of mucus that protects them, causing ulcers.
“Aspirin”: instructions, price
The dosage and method of administration depend on the purpose of administration. If we are talking about prevention, then it should be taken for life upon reaching a certain age. You need to take one tablet in the evening with water. Why do they drink at night? It is at this time of day that the likelihood of blood clots is high. In emergency situations, the tablet should be chewed and placed under the tongue.
The daily dose for prevention is 100 mg, for treatment – 300 mg. As a rule, aspirin is sold in pharmacies with a dosage of 500 mg, so you should be careful. An overdose may worsen the overall clinical picture and lead to an increased rate of blood clots.
Are there any analogues for this drug? Definitely yes:
- “Aspecard”;
- “Cardiomagnyl”;
- "Warfarin".
To thin the blood, you cannot limit yourself to taking aspirin. You need to seriously reconsider your diet. This should include fruits, vegetables, berries, fish, and a large amount of liquid.
Prices for acetylsalicylic acid vary from one hundred to five hundred rubles.
Why were we all advised to take aspirin before?
Oddly enough, the whole point is a banal typo. The situation was as follows: in 2003, a typo was made in an article by Professor Baigent, which caused a whole trend in medical practice, recommending daily consumption of aspirin for absolutely healthy people. Although the error was promptly corrected online, the original release had a profound impact on the use of aspirin in healthy people as primary prevention. As a result, millions of people take aspirin (albeit in small doses) without any reason.
About cholesterol
If there is a tendency to narrow blood vessels, you need to reduce cholesterol. There are injections that can be given once a month, and they will keep cholesterol normal. Drugs are being developed that can be injected once every six months.
Cholesterol also has its benefits and harms. All sex hormones of men and women are synthesized from it. When cholesterol decreases, sex hormones decrease.
There are also diseases in which lowering cholesterol is undesirable. For example, functional classes 3-4 of heart failure, when the heart does not have enough substrate for contractility.
Cholesterol in eggs. Benefit or harm?
Can I take aspirin to prevent a heart attack?
The official policy is that a person is not recommended to consume aspirin unless he has heart problems. However, not everyone agrees with this point of view. The ongoing heated discussions mean that you can easily get very conflicting advice on this issue.
For example, the British Hypertension Society recommends taking aspirin for people whose risk of developing cardiovascular disease has increased by more than 20% over 10 years. Speaking in fact, according to the medical publication Good Health, the number of medical recommendations regarding daily consumption of a small dose of aspirin did not change dramatically after the Baigent study. So, between June and December 2009, doctors wrote out 17 million prescriptions, and in the next 6 months after the publication of the results, this figure dropped to only 16 million.
Some family doctors are also unhappy with the sudden change in direction. This is explained by the fact that they had a large number of patients who were already treated with a standard therapy scenario with recommended aspirin intake, which seemed to be based on reliable data. Consequently, there is a need to make changes in the treatment approach used.
Compatibility with other drugs and alcohol
An overdose of the drug is manifested by tinnitus, nausea, hearing impairment, vomiting, dizziness, and headaches. In such cases, drug withdrawal is beneficial. But in severe Aspirin poisoning, cardiogenic shock, convulsions, and respiratory failure are observed. To prevent irreparable damage to the body, including the brain, urgent hospitalization of the victim is required.
Aspirin is not prescribed to patients with a tendency to bleeding, gout, severe kidney pathologies, or bronchial asthma. The list of contraindications for its use includes gastritis and stomach ulcers, diabetes mellitus. Long-term treatment with the drug is undesirable in the presence of cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension.
The harm of combining Aspirin with alcohol is well known (the medicine is good for hangovers): the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding increases. Acetylsalicylic acid is absolutely incompatible with Methotrexate, narcotic analgesics, hypoglycemic agents, heparin, and indirect anticoagulants. Harm to health will also occur if Aspirin is taken simultaneously with antihypertensive drugs and diuretics.
Of course, there is no need to give up this medicine, and what to do when there are no alternative remedies at hand. But it is worth remembering that you need to take the pills with caution. A single dose of Aspirin should not exceed 100 mg - this is one tablet. It is not recommended to take more than three tablets per day. If the pain does not stop, then it is better to consult a doctor and not continue self-therapy.
Children under 12 years of age are advised not to give this medicine at all, as it has a negative effect on the development of the growing body. You should also not take the tablets on an empty stomach, as their aggressive acidic composition can cause damage to the mucous tissue of the stomach walls.
Contraindications for use
A person in good health can safely drink acetylsalicylic acid if necessary. However, if there are any deviations or pathologies, you should be extremely careful. So, the drug is prohibited from being used in the following situations:
constantly changing blood pressure;- bronchial asthma;
- individual intolerance to the substance;
- disruptions in kidney function;
- liver diseases;
- lactation and pregnancy;
- measles, chickenpox, influenza;
- age less than fifteen years;
- alcoholism;
- gout.
With such diseases, aspirin will only do harm. In this case, it is better to replace the drug with another drug that has a milder effect on the body.
