Aspirin: Dosage and Uses

Everyone knows about aspirin. It is a medicine that has made a permanent place in every medicine cabinet and even first aid kits. Aspirin is a medicine that is taken to relieve mild pain, inflammation and fever. It is also used for the heart in the form of daily therapy, but should be followed only when advised by a doctor. It has been also found that aspirin helps in preventing Alzheimer's disease and colon cancer. Aspirin can be swallowed with water, dissolved in water, and now even directly dissolved in the mouth. This new invention has been made because one side effect of a high aspirin dosage, is that it may cause gastrointestinal disorders including stomach ulcers, and bleeding. When dissolved in the mouth, it reduces the risk of such a problem. 

Aspirin Uses

Aspirin is an over-the-counter medicine that you may use to relieve different pains and aches. Apart from relieving pains and aches, aspirin can also be consumed for a variety of other conditions. In such cases, aspirin will be prescribed by your doctor, and you will have to follow the exact aspirin dosage as recommended by him/her.

• Aspirin has been used in some cases to treat gout.
• It is used to treat the swelling and redness caused due to arthritis and other infections.
• Recently, aspirin has been prescribed to promote heart health, and reduce the risk of developing heart disease. This is because aspirin has the ability to reduce the chances of blood clotting, thereby improving the flow of blood to the heart. For such patients, the dosage of aspirin is low, and studies have shown that people who take it on a regular basis have a lower risk of a stroke and subsequent death. Furthermore, if those who have a heart attack take aspirin immediately, there is a possibility that the severity of the attack may reduce.
• Even those who are at a risk for heart disease due to diabetes, can lower this risk upon taking aspirin daily.
• Research has shown that when aspirin is taken daily, the risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer's disease is reduced.
• Even though it has a negative effect on a sensitive stomach, a daily aspirin dosage has been found to reduce the possibility of developing colon cancer and other types of cancer. It may also be used to treat gall bladder disease.
• Another benefit of taking aspirin is that it may protect the fibers around the teeth, and serve as prevention for periodontal disease.

Dosage of Aspirin

Aspirin is available in a variety of forms which include chewy tablets, powders, capsules and regular tablets. Though it is always advisable that the right aspirin dosage be prescribed by a doctor, the following are safe amounts of aspirin to consume:

• Aspirin Dosage for Aches and Fever: For those suffering from these conditions, including aches caused by arthritis, adults may consume anywhere between 300-1000 mg, four times a day. However, the dose differs depending on the sensitivity of the person to aspirin, and the purpose for which it is being consumed.
• Aspirin Dosage for Heart Health: For those who are taking aspirin for the purpose of maintaining heart health, the dosage can begin with a minimum of 75 mg daily, and increase up to 325 mg, again, depending on the person's susceptibility to heart disease.

When to Avoid Aspirin

Taking aspirin can cause certain side effects. Also, aspirin should be avoided when you suffer from one or more of these conditions.

• When on daily aspirin therapy, if you suddenly stop taking aspirin, it can cause a rebound effect, and lead to a heart problem by creating blood clots.
• As mentioned before, a large aspirin dosage may cause gastrointestinal disorders and bleeding.
• Certain other side effects of aspirin are vomiting and nausea. The side effects can get severe, and appear in the form of loss of hearing, rashes on the skin, confusion, breathing problems, drowsiness, dizziness, black or bloody stools. Consult your doctor immediately if you experience any of these side effects.
• When diabetics take an overdose of aspirin, it may color their urine sugar test results. In such a case, the doctor will tell you how to control sugar levels when taking aspirin.
• If you suffer from asthma, kidney and liver disease, diabetes, gout, anemia, and ulcers, inform your doctor before you are prescribed aspirin therapy. Most importantly, if you suffer from hemophilia, a disease where there are problems with blood clotting, the intake of aspirin should be avoided completely, as this can sever the problem further.
• Pregnant women, or those who are breastfeeding, should avoid the intake of aspirin without consulting a doctor.
• Do not take aspirin if you are due for a surgery, up to ten days before the surgery.
• Aspirin may interact with drugs prescribed for other conditions such as vitamins, blood thinners, medicines for diabetes and gout.
• Children below the age of sixteen should not be given aspirin particularly because of the risk of developing Reye's syndrome. It is a fatal disease that affects the functioning of all vital body organs, with the brain and the liver being the ones most affected. Studies have established a link between the intake of aspirin and Reye's syndrome.

Finally, as mentioned earlier, no matter how many sources reaffirm the safe aspirin dosage, consulting with your doctor before you start its intake for any reason is extremely important. Don't take a risk by taking this drug on your own, especially if you are on other drugs, or suffer from any of the above mentioned conditions.