Aspirin is an analgesic, meaning a drug that reduces pain without affecting consciousness.  It is most commonly used for headaches, muscle pain, arthritis, and fever reduction.  Only recently, following the work of John Vane Ph.D., has aspirin been recognized as a cardio logical drug.

     It is commonly thought that aspirin delays prostaglandin production and as a result reduces inflammation and pain.  Prostaglandin affects the flow of blood platelets which are the main cause in blood clotting.  Just recently clinical studies have reported that taking aspirin at a low dosage daily will reduce the occasion of unsatisfactory blood flow in vessels supplying the heart, which will lead to coronary occlusion and brain which will lead to a stroke.  Not enough blood flow is caused by fat that build up around the walls of the arteries making it narrower which will cause blood clots.  Blood clots is a group of blood cells (platelets).  Aspirin lessens blood clots by permanently occupying the blood cells.  With that knowledge doctors today tell their patients who have a history or heart disease in their family to take aspirin which will significantly lesson the patients risk of an attack.

    Motrin IB and Adivil are the most common alternatives to Aspirin, they are both Ibuprofen, but are named Mortin IB and Advil for marketing purposes.  Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) just as aspirin is and  does the same things as aspirin.  Another alternative to aspirin are    Acetaminophen, they are just as commonly used as aspirin or ibuprofen, you may know it as Tylenol.  Acetaminophen does contain  the same side effects as aspirin or ibuprofen, so is generally safer for a large group or population.  There are other alternatives to aspirin that specialize in realiving headaches and arthritis, Ketoprofen also known as Orudis KT and Naproxen sodium also known as Aleve.

   Unfortunately,  aspirin has many side effects that acetaminophen and other pain relievers do not.  It can induce gastro-intestinal discomfort if taken in large enough doses.  Aspirin usage in children with influenza or chickenpox has also been found to increase the risk of developing Reye’s syndrome, a condition that is fatal in 20 to 40 percent of the cases.

   Scientists are still finding new uses for aspirin, in the future it may be used to fight against cardiovascular disease.  Aspirin can be concluded as one of the most important preventive medicine for people in history if medicine.