Aspirin Health Dictionary

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Aspirin: From 4 Different Sources

Acetylsalicylic acid. Widely used drug for relief of pain and to reduce fever. Preventative against stroke, cataract, heart attack. While aspirin has been a dramatic life-saver, unwanted side-effects include stomach bleeding, nervous irritability and personality change. Should not be given to children with influenza or chicken pox. A common source of allergies and infertility.

Herbal alternatives exist but may be of limited efficacy: menstrual pain (Helonias root), muscular rheumatism (Black Cohosh), tension headaches (Ginkgo), Angina pectoris (Cramp bark), eye-strain (Eyebright), facial neuralgia (German Chamomile), swollen glands (Poke root), chest pain (Elecampane), cough (Iceland Moss), simple abdominal pain (Fenugreek).

Cures for relief of painful limbs run into hundreds. Gentle massage to release endorphins which block pain waves offers an external approach. Arthritic knees are less painful on application of Castor oil packs or one of the many preparations commended under poultices, liniments, lotions, etc.

During trials at Long Island University, USA, 189 cases of rheumatic knees and elbows were rendered painless by pollen poultices. Dissolve one tablespoon bee pollen pellets in warm water; immerse small handtowel; squeeze out excess moisture; bind over affected joint.

Cold water packs are advised by hydrotherapists for headache, stiff neck, shoulders, back and legs. Sodium bicarbonate is the safest and most effective antidote for aspirin overdose.

Aspirin therapy almost halves the risk of venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in patients

undergoing surgery, according to a major study. (BMJ Jan 22 1994)

Studies show that deaths from heart attack can be halved by prescribing half tablet daily together with a clot-dissolving remedy (Nettles, Vitamin E, etc). As an anti-coagulant aspirin is matched by Garlic. In alternative medicine the use of aspirin is discouraged. 

Health Source: Bartrams Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine
Author: Health Encyclopedia
A nonopioid analgesic drug used to treat disorders such as headache, menstrual pain, and muscle discomfort. Aspirin has an anti-inflammatory action and is particularly useful for joint pain in arthritis. It reduces fever and is included in some cold remedies. In small doses, it reduces the stickiness of platelets (blood particles involved in clotting). This has led to its use in preventing thrombosis in people at risk of developing stroke or myocardial infarction and as initial treatment of chest pain that may be due to myocardial infarction. Aspirin may also reduce the risk of colon cancer and slow the progress of dementia.

Aspirin is not usually given to children because there is a slight risk of Reye’s syndrome (a rare brain and liver disorder) developing. Aspirin may cause irritation of the stomach lining, resulting in indigestion or nausea. Prolonged use may cause bleeding from the stomach due to gastric erosion or peptic ulcer.

Health Source: BMA Medical Dictionary
Author: The British Medical Association
Aspirin or acetylsalicylic acid is a white crystalline powder which is used like sodium salicylate as a remedy for reducing in?ammation and fever. Taken orally, it has some action in relieving pain and producing sleep and is therefore often used for headache and slighter degrees of insomnia (sleeplessness). Daily doses are now used in the prevention of coronary thrombosis (see HEART, DISEASES OF); the dose is 75–300 mg. Aspirin should be used with caution in people with DYSPEPSIA or PEPTIC ULCER. (See also ANALGESICS.)
Health Source: Medical Dictionary
Author: Health Dictionary
(acetylsalicylic acid) n. a drug that relieves pain and also reduces inflammation and fever. Largely superseded by modern anti-inflammatory agents (see NSAID), aspirin is now most commonly taken regularly in low doses as an *antiplatelet drug. In this role it reduces the risk of vascular thrombosis that may lead to events such as heart attack or stroke. Aspirin works by inhibiting the production of *prostaglandins; it may irritate the lining of the stomach, causing nausea, vomiting, pain, and bleeding. High doses cause dizziness, disturbed hearing, mental confusion, and overbreathing (see salicylism). Aspirin has been implicated as a cause of *Reye’s syndrome and should therefore not be given to children below the age of 16 years unless specifically indicated by a physician. See also analgesic.
Health Source: Oxford | Concise Colour Medical Dictionary
Author: Jonathan Law, Elizabeth Martin

Aspirin Poisoning

ASPIRIN is a commonly available analgesic (see ANALGESICS) which is frequently taken in overdose. Clinical features of poisoning include nausea, vomiting, TINNITUS, ?ushing, sweating, HYPERVENTILATION, DEHYDRATION, deafness and acid-base and electrolyte disturbances (see ELECTROLYTES). In more severe cases individuals may be confused, drowsy and comatose. Rarely, renal failure (see KIDNEYS, DISEASES OF), PULMONARY OEDEMA or cardiovascular collapse occur. Severe toxicity may be delayed, as absorption of the drug may be prolonged due to the formation of drug concretions in the stomach. Treatment involves the repeated administration of activated CHARCOAL, monitoring of concentration of aspirin in the blood, and correction of acid-base and electrolyte imbalances. In more severely poisoned patients, enhanced excretion of the drug may be necessary by alkalinising the urine (by intravenous administration of sodium bicarbonate – see under SODIUM) or HAEMODIALYSIS.... aspirin poisoning

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