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Aspirin facts: Health Benefits, Uses and Risks

By Dhwani Jerajani +2 more

1.8415187

The phrase ‘Popping a pill’, has much more glamorous and deadlier implications to it today. However, the original pill, Aspirin, remains a constant in everything from First-Aid kits to handbags. In this blog, we’ll look at some Aspirin facts and everything you have always wanted to know about Aspirin.Felix Hoffmann, a chemist working for the German chemical company Bayer, is best known for inventing Aspirin in 1897. After a reliable production process was created for the new pain reliever, it was marketed throughout the world, placing Hoffmann on a scientific pedestal for centuries to come. Fun fact: The same scientist went on to synthesize Heroin.

Health Benefits

Each year, more than 40 million lb of Aspirin is produced in the US alone, a rate that translates to about 300 tablets per year for every man, woman and child. Aspirin possesses a number of properties that make it the most often recommended medicine. It is an analgesic, effective in pain relief. It is also an anti-inflammatory agent, providing some relief from the swelling associated with arthritis and minor injuries. Low-strength Aspirin is also prescribed to help deal with unwanted blood clots from forming within the body. Aspirin is also an antipyretic compound which means it reduces fever.

Uses

Most of the Aspirin facts revolve around the fact that it has a lot of benefits other than as a painkiller. Here are some of its uses.Revive dead car batteries Drop two aspirin tablets into the battery. The aspirin’s acetylsalicylic acid will combine with the battery’s sulfuric acid to produce one last charge before choking again.Remove perspiration stains Crush two aspirins and mix the powder in 1/2 cup warm water. Soak the stained part of the garment in the solution for two to three hours.Dry up pimples Crush one aspirin and moisten it with a bit of water. Apply the paste to the pimple and let it sit for a couple of minutes before washing off with soap and water. It will help manage the redness and soothe the sting. If the pimple persists, repeat the procedure as needed until it’s gone.Treat hard calluses Soften hard calluses on your feet by grinding five or six aspirins into a powder. Make a paste by adding 1/2 teaspoon each of lemon juice and water. Apply the mixture to the affected areas, then wrap your foot in a warm towel and cover it with a plastic bag. After staying off your feet for at least ten minutes, get rid of the bag and towel and file down the softened callus with a pumice stone.Apply to insect bites and stings Controlling the inflammation caused by mosquito bites or bee stings by wetting your skin and rubbing an aspirin over the spot is one of the most interesting Aspirin facts. Of course, if you are allergic to bee stings – and have difficulty breathing, contract abdominal pains or feel nauseated following a bee sting – get medical attention at once.

Risks

  • Low-dose aspirin treatment is linked with a very small increase in the risk of major bleeding in the stomach and brain. Studies suggest that 769 people would need to be treated with low-dose aspirin for one extra person to be harmed with major bleeding.
  • About 10 percent of people with severe asthma are also allergic to aspirin – and, in fact, to all products containing salicylic acid, aspirin’s key ingredient, including some cold medications, fruits and food seasonings and additives. That percentage skyrockets to 30 to 40 percent for older asthmatics who also suffer from sinusitis or nasal polyps. Acute sensitivity to aspirin is also seen in a small percentage of the general population without asthma – particularly people with ulcers and other bleeding conditions.
  • Aspirin acts as a blood thinner, which is believed to account for much of its benefit of protecting against heart attacks and strokes. However, that same action, along with a tendency to deplete the stomach’s protective lining, can lead to a danger of gastrointestinal bleeding and possibly bleeding in the brain.
Always consult your doctor before using any medication and do not apply aspirin externally if you are allergic to taking it internally and read Aspirin facts before consuming.  
Disclaimer:  The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

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Aspirin facts

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