Aspirin

[BertiWooster]

There was a recent report about the benefits of taking 75mg of aspirin on a daily basis .

However , i beleive that some experts are warning about the danger of taking aspirin - internal bleeding etc .

So what does one do - take it or not ?

[Andyvon]

If possible don't take anything Nature didn't intend.

[alexanderd]

I have been taking it for about 15 years now for low blood pressure but would not do it without a doctors sayso

[anneasquith]

low blood pressure alex ?

[alexanderd]

yes Anne I was experiencing dizzy spells with no apparent reason till they discovered my blood pressure was dropping down, since taking the aspirin, no problems touch wood

[ummmm]

My BIL's Dad took it everyday as recommended. He took it on an empty stomach though and ended up being rushed into hospital with internal bleeding ( I think from the stomach)

[anneasquith]

thats interesting alex,i was under the impression theraputic aspirin ie 75mg a day was for high blood pressure and to help prevent cardiac problems and stroke.

[alexanderd]

Yes ummm I was told to take it shortly after a meal

[askyourgran]

Mr ask took 75mg aspirin every morning to thin his blood out to prevent blood clots leading to strokes. Since he has had one or two mini strokes he now takes warfarin.
Aspirin has also been credited recently with helping to combat cancer.

[anneasquith]

in answer to you question berti. best to take advice from your gp. who will know your medical history. one gp at my practice said she would advise anyone over 50 years old to take it,

[Azalian]

Approximately 1 person in 1500 will suffer bleeding by taking Aspirin on a regular basis.
Your doctor can decide if the benefits outweigh the potential risk.

[honky-tonk]

Hypertension and Diabetes type 2 doctors recommend asprin daily. Would be pointless taking asprin if you are in good health.

[ummmm]

Not so sure now that they have linked it to the prevention of cancer.

It could really prove to be the wonder drug...

[BertiWooster]

// Would be pointless taking asprin if you are in good health. //

The recomendation following the recent study was that it is beneficial even to
' healthy ' people

[ummmm]

That's what they say. Just make sure you do not take it on an empty stomach..

[honky-tonk]

BetiWooster you would have to ask your GP about that. if that was the case why are'nt the GPs prescribing them to all their healthy patients ?

[WaldoMcFroog]

Posssibly worth mentioning that if you have tinnitus, aspirin can aggravate it.

[Sqad]

I would weigh up the advantages against the advantages.

Personally if I had had a heart attack I would I would take Aspirin.
If I was healthy, I wouldn't.

Strokes are more complicated........if Aspirin, as it does, reduces clotting, what happens if your "stroke" is caused by a bleed and you are taking Aspirin...????
Sensible answers on a post card........!!....... wouldn't it be more dangerous and difficult to stop?

[Sqad]

sorry...."advantages against the disadvantages".

[Sqad]

Theelf.......I don´t know the mechanism, but perhaps a biochemist or pharmacologist may come on to answer in a more scientific manner.

My answer............. Aspirin is an acid (albeit a weak one) and when it comes into contact with the gastro-intestinal lining it causes irritation and subsequently erosions. These erosions then start to bleed, as mucosal erosions tend to and the clotting mechanism is hampered by the anticoagulant properties of Aspirin itself and bleeding occurs.