Aspirin is commonly used to relieve minor aches, pains, and fevers, and also acts as an anti-inflammatory and blood thinner[1].
Key uses of aspirin include:
- Pain relief: Treating headaches, muscle aches, toothaches, and other minor pains[1].
- Anti-inflammatory: Reducing inflammation in conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and other inflammatory joint conditions, and for pericarditis (inflammation around the heart)[1].
- Fever reduction: Lowering fever in adults[1].
- Cardiovascular protection: Preventing blood clots, making aspirin helpful in treating or preventing further heart attacks, strokes, or after certain heart surgeries; this effect is especially significant for people with previous heart attacks, strokes, or at high risk for these events[2][3][4][5].
- Cancer prevention: Daily long-term aspirin use may reduce the risk of certain cancers, such as colorectal cancer, in some high-risk populations[1][6].
- Special applications in children: Rarely, doctors use aspirin under close supervision for Kawasaki disease or after heart surgery in children, but it is generally avoided in those under 18 due to the risk of Reye’s syndrome[1][5].
- Pregnancy: Sometimes prescribed in low doses to prevent pre-eclampsia or other complications in high-risk pregnancies, always under medical supervision[5].
Aspirin should be used with caution or avoided in individuals with bleeding disorders, uncontrolled high blood pressure, asthma, stomach ulcers, or liver/kidney disease, and it should not be taken without medical advice, especially for daily or long-term use[1][4][5].
References
- [1] Aspirin: Health benefits, uses, risks, and side effects (Medical News Today)
- [2] Is Taking Aspirin Good for Your Heart? (Johns Hopkins Medicine)
- [3] Benefits of An Aspirin Therapy (Regimen) (Bayer Aspirin)
- [4] Daily aspirin therapy: Understand the benefits and risks (Mayo Clinic)
- [5] About low-dose aspirin (NHS)
- [6] The Long-Term Benefits of Increased Aspirin Use by At-Risk (PMC)