Ever since the beginning of time, and when I say that, I mean since the birth of witch doctors, shamans and our very own bomohs, mythical and mystical miracle drugs have been sought. And so, after many generations, we have yet come close to the end of this quest. However, some might beg to differ. They claim that we already have this “miracle drug”. In fact, most of us have this drug at home or even in our bags! Don’t believe me? Have a check first before you read on.
Sitting in our very own medications cubbyhole is one single drug which has been our constant companion for the longest of time. This drug is able to prevent strokes, reduce arthritis suffering, dampen inflammation, prevent heart attacks, reduce cancer risk, prevent vascular disease, and control headaches! In other words, this drug can save your life. Next time, if someone were to ask you a stupid question like such, “If you were on a deserted island, what would be the one thing you wish to have?” just say this drug. Oh and did I mention this drug costs no more than a few cents (RM) per tablet?! This “miracle drug”? A non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) also known as acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), or better known as Aspirin.
The father of modern medicine, Hippocrates, who lived sometime between 460 B.C and 377 B.C. left historical records of pain relief treatments, including the use of powder made from the bark and leaves of the willow tree to help heal headaches, pains and fevers. By 1829, scientists discovered that it was the compound called salicin in willow plants which gave you the pain relief.
Arthritis is the most common medical problems afflicting dogs today. To relief their pain, dogs would bite off pieces of bark of a Willow tree. If you do give aspirin to your dog, make sure it is Ascriptin or a form of aspirin formulated for dogs.
Dogs don't want to be barking up this wrong tree [Whomping Willow].But it wasn’t until 1899, that Bayer pharmaceuticals, which is the same company that brought us heroin and mustard gas, as well as methadone, launched Aspirin (Okay… that sounds like a ship. Probably the word I was looking for is patented.), courtesy of a German, Felix Hoffman, who developed this drug while seeking an agent for his father’s rheumatism.
1899 Aspirin Bottle First Bottle of AspirinOne of the most common uses of aspirin is to control pain and inflammation in people with conditions such as arthritis. In addition, the use of low-dose aspirin or baby aspirin (75mg [standard: 300mg]) is effective in preventing blood clotting in people at high risk for heart attack (usually for patients who have had heart attack before) or reducing (not prevent) the incidence of stroke.
So, in the event of a heart attack, doctors would recommend people to chew two aspirin, and the effect of easing the effect of a blood clot is almost immediate. Doctors would also prescribe aspirin to patients who just had coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). But of course too much of a good thing may be quite bad. According to a new study by British scientists (in a report dated 31/08/09), healthy people taking a daily dose of aspirin to prevent heart attacks may be doing themselves more harm than good. Researchers found that the risks of bleeding from taking aspirin were such that its routine use in healthy people "cannot be supported" -- although they did not dispute its use in patients with a history of vascular problems.
This leads to the major downside of prolonged aspirin therapy, which occurs with most other NSAIDs as well, is the risk of peptic ulcers and gastrointestinal bleeding. However, nowadays we can find aspirin in enteric coated tablet forms, so as not to irritate the stomach and cause internal bleeding. Even so, aspirin still has a relatively clean track record.
However, there are other adverse reactions of taking aspirins. Aspirin can irritate the lining of the stomach; that much we know so far. This can cause heartburn, nausea, and vomiting and rarely, internal bleeding. You don't have to take big doses to get ulcers. In some people, even one aspirin a day over a long period can cause ulcers. Secondly, some people may experience allergic problems the first time they take aspirin. Or allergy may hit suddenly even after taking aspirin without problems for many years. Most commonly, aspirin-allergic people develop rashes. Thirdly, some people may get salicylism, or aspirin poisoning. It usually happens through accidental overdosing. Typically, you're taking normal doses of aspirin - while also taking drugs that you don't realize contain aspirin. The first warning sign of aspirin poisoning is usually ringing in the ears and decreased hearing.
Of course, aspirin is not all bad. In fact, its benefits outweigh its risks. But you should never take daily aspirin without consulting with your doctor or pharmacist. Aspirin may cause problems with other drugs you take. Sometimes aspirin worsens their risks - or decreases their effectiveness. Or it can work in reverse: other drugs may worsen aspirin's risks or decrease its effectiveness. Or aspirin may increase the risk of other drugs.
Research is also exploring other potential life-extending benefits of aspirin. Aspirin has been associated with decreased risk of asthma and prostate cancer in the elderly. Also, aspirin has been linked with lowering the risk of breast cancer, colon cancer and Kawasaki disease as well.
If a drug as widely available as aspirin and with as few side effects can have that many benefits, potentially saving tens of thousands of lives, then it is no wonder aspirin is known as the “miracle drug”. Ahh… Aspirin, you will always have a place in our hearts, I mean our medicine cabinet.
