The practice of prescribing aspirin to patients with heart disease goes back to the 1940s, but it took a long time before studies proved what general practitioners had noticed. Aspirin can prevent blood clots and reduce the risk of heart attacks. This was finally proved to everyone's satisfaction in 1989.

Aspirin has been around a long time, and even before it was made into a pill, it was used in its natural form. Willow bark contains the same ingredient and is how the first aspirin tablets were made.

As mentioned in the teaser, aspirin has both pros and cons. Most of the time, the good it does outweighs the bad, but knowing them could save your life.

Pros

Pain Killer: Headaches, muscle strains and other types of pain can be relieved with this product. It can be helpful both by swallowing it and by putting it on the skin. There are over the counter creams and gels that help you stop the pain topically.

Fevers: While it is not as strong as some other products, aspirin (and before that willow) has been used to treat all kinds of fevers. It doesn't matter what the cause, it works across the board.

Blood Thinner: Unlike other NSAIDs, aspirin can thin the blood enough to prevent heart attacks. Some doctors recommend starting an aspirin regimen even for those who don't have any of the symptoms of the problem, just as a preventative measure.

Cons

Allergies: There are a number of people who are allergic to aspirin. Taking it can cause breathing problems sometimes severe enough to kill. If you notice any changes to your breathing, a feeling of being chocked or any other respiratory problem, call your doctor. You may need a trip to the emergency room.

Bleeding in the Digestive Tract: The chemical in this product causes small cuts to the digestive tract. You may notice a change in your stools after taking it. Tell your doctor if you find this, as you may need to reduce the dose.

Clotting Disorders: Because it is a blood thinner, those with clotting disorders should avoid aspirin unless prescribed by a doctor that is aware of your condition. It could make the disorder worse.

Gout: Aspirin is a direct cause of gout flareups. The higher the dosage, the more at risk you are. Be sure to discuss this with your doctor if it is prescribed for you. The last thing you need is this extremely painful disorder on top of dealing with a life threatening medical condition.

Upset Stomach: Despite the buffering agent, this product can upset your stomach. Be sure to take it with food in order to prevent that side effect. If the problem continues, your doctor may want to change the dosage or prescribe a medication to block that effect.

It's not a good idea to self diagnose or self prescribe. It's also unwise to stop taking a medication prescribed by your doctor without discussing it. To protect yourself, make an appointment and find out if aspirin therapy will benefit you.

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